Machinery Maintenance Mechanic

Course Description

ETI0456 Machinery Maintenance Mechanic is a 300-clock-hour occupational workforce course classified under Engineering Technologies > Industrial Systems Technology in the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course emphasizes the essential knowledge and skills needed to be a machinery maintenance mechanic and includes predictive-preventive maintenance, gas and arc welding, machine shop operation, piping and tubing systems, electrical and electronic circuit troubleshooting, drive components, air compressors, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, fluid drive systems, language skills, critical thinking, and environmental management systems.

Upon successful completion, students earn Occupational Completion Point B — Machinery Maintenance Mechanic — in the Industrial Machinery Maintenance pathway. Students in this program may apply earned clock hours toward up to 15 credit hours in an Engineering Technology A.S. degree.

Instruction combines classroom theory with extensive laboratory and hands-on practice, preparing graduates for immediate entry-level employment in industrial production and manufacturing environments.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes are common across Florida college offerings of this course (Tallahassee Community College, North Florida College, and aligned programs) and are considered core competencies:

• Apply predictive and preventive maintenance (PdM/PM) planning strategies to industrial machinery and equipment.
• Perform gas and arc welding operations safely, including selection of appropriate processes and adherence to welding safety protocols.
• Operate machine shop equipment (lathes, mills, drill presses) to fabricate and recondition replacement parts.
• Install, inspect, and repair piping and tubing systems, including copper, PVC, and threaded pipe, using proper soldering and joining techniques.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical and electronic circuits using schematics, multimeters, and other diagnostic tools.
• Identify, maintain, and replace mechanical drive components, including belts, chains, gears, bearings, couplings, and shafts.
• Inspect and service air compressors and associated components in accordance with manufacturer and safety specifications.
• Maintain and troubleshoot hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including pumps, valves, actuators, and control circuits.
• Diagnose and service fluid drive systems, including fluid couplings and torque converters.
• Read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and wiring schematics to guide maintenance and repair tasks.
• Apply environmental management system (EMS) principles, including proper handling and disposal of industrial fluids and hazardous materials.
• Demonstrate workplace language skills and critical thinking, including reading work orders, creating job task lists, and documenting completed maintenance activities.
• Follow all applicable industrial safety regulations, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and OSHA general industry standards.

Optional Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes appear in select Florida college offerings and industry-aligned programs; individual institutions may include them based on local employer needs and available equipment:

• Apply Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) techniques and use Pareto charts and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to identify recurring machinery problems.
• Perform shaft alignment using dial indicator or laser alignment tools to industry-standard tolerances.
• Maintain and troubleshoot conveyor and material-handling systems, including belt conveyors and chain drives.
• Demonstrate basic programmable logic controller (PLC) awareness, including reading ladder logic and identifying faulted I/O points.
• Apply rigging and lifting techniques safely for moving and installing heavy industrial equipment.
• Demonstrate interpersonal workplace competencies, including team building, conflict resolution, and active listening in an industrial setting.
• Use precision measurement instruments (micrometers, calipers, dial indicators) for quality inspection and part verification.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are covered by all documented Florida college offerings and SCNS-aligned programs:

• Industrial Safety & Regulatory Compliance — OSHA general industry standards; lockout/tagout (LOTO); hazard communication (HazCom/GHS); personal protective equipment; machine guarding.
• Predictive-Preventive Maintenance (PdM/PM) — Scheduled inspection protocols; condition monitoring; vibration analysis awareness; lubrication management; maintenance recordkeeping.
• Gas & Arc Welding — Oxy-acetylene (gas) welding and cutting; shielded metal arc welding (SMAW); GMAW (MIG) introduction; weld safety and inspection.
• Machine Shop Operation — Engine lathe operation; drill press; milling machine; precision measurement; blueprint interpretation for machining tasks.
• Piping & Tubing Systems — Copper and PVC pipe installation; soldering and brazing; threading and joining; measurement and fitting; reading piping schematics.
• Electrical & Electronic Circuit Troubleshooting — AC/DC circuit theory; motor controls; use of multimeter and test instruments; reading wiring diagrams and schematics; motor starters and overload protection.
• Mechanical Drive Components — V-belts, synchronous belts, chain drives, gear drives; bearings and lubrication; couplings; shaft and key installation; alignment fundamentals.
• Air Compressors — Types of compressors; operational principles; air treatment and filtration; inspection and routine maintenance; safety relief devices.
• Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems — Fluid power principles; hydraulic pumps, motors, cylinders, and control valves; pneumatic actuators; system diagrams; troubleshooting and component replacement.
• Fluid Drive Systems — Fluid couplings; torque converters; variable-speed fluid drives; inspection and maintenance procedures.
• Environmental Management Systems (EMS) — Proper handling and disposal of industrial lubricants, coolants, and chemicals; EPA regulatory awareness; spill containment and cleanup.
• Language Skills, Critical Thinking & Documentation — Work order reading and writing; job task planning; maintenance logs; technical communication in an industrial workplace.

Optional Topics

Covered in select program offerings; inclusion varies by institution:

• Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) — Fault tree analysis; Pareto charts; Statistical Process Control (SPC); failure reporting and corrective action.
• Shaft Alignment & Precision Leveling — Dial indicator methods; laser alignment systems; soft foot correction; coupling alignment tolerances.
• Rigging & Material Handling — Sling types and capacities; crane and hoist operation; rigging hardware; safe load calculations; OSHA rigging standards.
• Conveyor & Material Transfer Systems — Belt conveyor inspection and adjustment; chain conveyors; preventive maintenance schedules.
• PLC Awareness & Industrial Automation Fundamentals — Introduction to programmable logic controllers; reading ladder logic diagrams; sensor and actuator identification.
• Workplace Professionalism & Teamwork — Workplace behavior standards; team dynamics; conflict resolution; active listening; employability skills.
• Precision Measurement — Micrometers; vernier and digital calipers; dial indicators; surface plates; measurement documentation.

Resources & Tools

• Hand & Power Tools — Combination wrenches, torque wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, grinders, drills, and impact drivers.
• Diagnostic Instruments — Digital multimeters, clamp-on ammeters, meggers (insulation testers), pressure gauges, and infrared thermometers.
• Welding Equipment — Oxy-acetylene torch sets, SMAW (stick) welders, GMAW (MIG) welders, welding safety PPE.
• Machine Shop Equipment — Engine lathe, drill press, bench grinder, vertical milling machine, and precision measuring tools.
• Fluid Power Training Panels — Hydraulic and pneumatic circuit training boards for system assembly and troubleshooting practice.
• Piping Lab Supplies — Copper and PVC pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, pipe threaders, and tube benders.
• Technical References — Machinery's Handbook; manufacturer service manuals; OSHA 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Standards; NFPA 70 (NEC); MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) study materials.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Safety glasses, face shields, welding helmets, gloves, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, and hard hats.

Career Pathways

Completion of ETI0456 prepares students for immediate entry-level employment as well as advancement in the industrial maintenance field. Common career titles and pathways in Florida include:

• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — Perform preventive maintenance and troubleshooting in manufacturing and production facilities.
• Maintenance Technician / Multi-Craft Technician — Maintain mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems across diverse industrial settings.
• Machine Operator / Production Technician — Operate and maintain production machinery with responsibility for quality and uptime.
• Millwright — Specialize in the installation, dismantling, repair, reassembly, and movement of machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.
• Facilities Maintenance Mechanic — Maintain building systems, HVAC, and equipment in commercial or industrial facilities.
• Maintenance Supervisor / Facilities Manager — With experience and additional training, advance to supervisory roles overseeing maintenance teams and coordinating planned maintenance programs.

Graduates may also continue their education by applying earned clock hours toward an Engineering Technology A.S. Degree at participating Florida colleges, or pursue stackable credentials in specialized areas such as PLC programming, industrial electronics, or welding technology.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course supports preparation for several nationally recognized industry credentials commonly sought by Florida employers:

• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) — The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) awards the CPT credential upon passing four modules: Safety; Quality Practices & Measurement; Manufacturing Processes & Production; and Maintenance Awareness. ETI0456 aligns directly with the Processes & Production and Maintenance Awareness modules.
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Card — A foundational safety credential widely required or preferred by Florida industrial employers. Many program offerings include the OSHA 10 training within the course sequence.
• NCCER Industrial Maintenance — The National Center for Construction Education and Research offers portable, industry-recognized credentials in craft areas including industrial maintenance that complement this course's content.

Program Admission & Additional Requirements

• Admission requires a standard high school diploma or GED.
• Students must be at least 18 years of age at time of enrollment.
• Students must complete the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) within the first semester of enrollment, or present an allowable substitute score.
• An additional course fee applies; students should consult their institution's fee schedule.
• This program is eligible for Florida Bright Futures, Florida Prepaid, and federal financial aid where applicable.