Machinery Maintenance Technician

Course Description

This course (ETI0457) is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) certificate program under the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS), classified within the Engineering Technologies > Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy. It represents the advanced Occupational Completion Point (OCP) in the Industrial Machinery Maintenance program sequence, following ETI0450 (Industrial Machinery Maintenance Assistant) and ETI0456 (Machinery Maintenance Mechanic).

The course prepares students for classification as a Machinery Maintenance Technician in industrial manufacturing and production environments. Students develop advanced competencies in mechanical systems, fluid power, electrical/electronic troubleshooting, predictive-preventive maintenance, and environmental management — building on foundational skills from earlier OCPs to qualify graduates for full technician-level roles in Florida's manufacturing sector.

Upon successful completion, students earn the Occupational Completion Point C credential: Machinery Maintenance Technician. The program is eligible for Florida Prepaid and other financial aid programs. Students must have a standard high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. A Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) assessment is required within the first semester of enrollment or an allowable substitute must be presented.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply predictive and preventive maintenance (PPM) strategies to minimize unplanned equipment downtime in industrial settings.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot electrical and electronic circuits using appropriate test instruments such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and circuit analyzers.
• Inspect, service, and repair hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including pumps, valves, actuators, and associated piping.
• Perform maintenance and repair of mechanical drive components including belt, chain, gear, and fluid drive systems.
• Safely perform gas and arc welding operations applicable to machinery fabrication and repair tasks.
• Interpret and apply technical drawings, blueprints, schematics, and work orders to complete maintenance tasks correctly.
• Demonstrate proper machine shop operations including the use of precision measurement tools and machining equipment.
• Install, inspect, and repair piping and tubing systems using copper, steel, and PVC materials with correct fitting and joining techniques.
• Demonstrate compliance with OSHA safety standards and workplace environmental management practices, including hazardous materials handling.
• Apply critical thinking and root cause failure analysis (RCFA) to identify equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
• Operate and maintain air compressors and associated compressed-air distribution systems.
• Demonstrate effective workplace communication, teamwork, and professional behaviors appropriate to an industrial technician role.

Optional Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes may be covered depending on institutional offerings and equipment availability:

• Perform basic Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming and troubleshooting for automated industrial equipment.
• Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) tools, including Pareto charts, to monitor and improve maintenance processes.
• Demonstrate introductory skills in robotics and automated systems maintenance.
• Use 3D design and printing tools for fabricating replacement parts and maintenance aids.
• Perform vibration analysis and thermographic inspection as part of a predictive maintenance program.
• Demonstrate skills in bearing, seal, and coupling replacement using precision alignment tools.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Workplace Safety and OSHA Compliance — Personal protective equipment (PPE), lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, hazard identification, OSHA 10-hour General Industry standards.
• Predictive and Preventive Maintenance (PPM) — Maintenance planning, scheduling, inspection techniques, equipment lubrication, and failure mode identification.
• Electrical and Electronic Systems — Electrical theory, AC/DC circuits, motor controls, wiring diagrams, use of multimeters and diagnostic instruments, circuit troubleshooting.
• Hydraulic Systems — Hydraulic fluid properties, pumps, cylinders, valves, actuators, circuits, and system troubleshooting.
• Pneumatic Systems — Compressed air principles, pneumatic components, air compressor maintenance, valve and actuator repair.
• Mechanical Drive Systems — Belt, chain, gear, and fluid drive power transmission; mechanical advantage; alignment and tensioning procedures.
• Welding Fundamentals — Gas (oxy-acetylene) and arc (SMAW) welding safety and techniques; cutting operations; applications in maintenance and repair.
• Machine Shop Operations — Precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers), lathe and mill operations, blueprint reading, machining projects from specifications.
• Piping and Tubing Systems — Pipe identification and sizing, copper soldering, PVC joining, pipe fitting and measurement, system layout from prints.
• Technical Documentation — Reading and interpreting work orders, equipment manuals, schematics, and technical drawings; creating job task lists.
• Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) — Systematic troubleshooting methodology, failure mode identification, and corrective action documentation.
• Environmental Management Systems — Hazardous materials handling, waste disposal regulations, environmental compliance in maintenance operations.
• Professional and Workplace Skills — Team building, conflict resolution, active listening, workplace ethics, and critical thinking in an industrial context.

Optional Topics

• PLC Fundamentals — Introduction to programmable logic controllers, ladder logic, input/output configuration, and basic troubleshooting.
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) — Pareto charts, control charts, and process capability analysis for maintenance quality improvement.
• Robotics and Automation — Basic robotic system components, safety, and introductory maintenance of automated manufacturing cells.
• Precision Alignment and Balancing — Shaft alignment methods (dial indicator, laser), dynamic and static balancing of rotating equipment.
• 3D Design and Printing for Maintenance — Computer-aided design basics and additive manufacturing for fabricating maintenance components.
• Predictive Technologies — Vibration analysis, infrared thermography, and ultrasonic testing as condition-monitoring tools.

Resources & Tools

• Hand Tools: Wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, files, hammers, and standard mechanic's tool sets
• Precision Measurement Tools: Vernier calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, feeler gauges, and laser alignment tools
• Electrical Test Equipment: Digital multimeters (DMM), clamp meters, oscilloscopes, and circuit tracers
• Welding Equipment: Oxy-acetylene torch sets, SMAW (stick) welding machines, welding PPE
• Machine Shop Equipment: Engine lathe, drill press, bench grinder, and associated tooling
• Hydraulic/Pneumatic Training Systems: Bench-top fluid power trainers, hydraulic press units, pneumatic circuit boards
• Piping and Fitting Materials: Copper, PVC, and steel pipe sections; fittings, solder, flux, and pipe tools
• Safety Equipment: PPE stations, LOTO kits, fire extinguishers, safety data sheets (SDS) reference materials
• Reference Texts: Industrial Maintenance (Cengage/ATP); MSSC CPT and Maintenance Awareness study guides; OSHA 10 General Industry courseware
• Software/Digital Tools: CAD software (introductory), digital work order systems, equipment manufacturer diagnostic software

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Machinery Maintenance Technician program (ETI0457) are prepared to enter the workforce in Florida's growing manufacturing and industrial sectors. Relevant career pathways include:

• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — Maintain and repair factory equipment such as conveyor systems, production machinery, and packaging lines (SOC 49-9041)
• Machinery Maintenance Worker — Perform routine inspections, lubrication, and minor repairs on plant equipment (SOC 49-9043)
• Millwright — Install, align, dismantle, and move industrial machinery and heavy equipment (SOC 49-9044)
• Manufacturing Maintenance Technician — Support continuous production operations through preventive and corrective maintenance in food processing, aerospace, automotive, and other industries
• Fluid Power Technician — Specialize in hydraulic and pneumatic system installation and repair
• Facilities Maintenance Technician — Maintain mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in industrial or commercial facilities

Graduates may also pursue continued education toward an Engineering Technology A.S. degree, for which up to 15 credit hours from this PSAV sequence may be applied. Advanced stackable credentials in automation, mechatronics, or PLC technology are also available at many Florida state colleges.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification — Completed as part of the program curriculum; students receive an OSHA card upon successful completion.
• Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) — Certified Production Technician (CPT) — The program prepares students for MSSC credentialing in Safety, Quality Practices & Measurement, Manufacturing Processes & Production, and Maintenance Awareness modules.
• MSSC Maintenance Awareness Certification — Specifically targeted within the advanced OCP sequence covering predictive/preventive maintenance concepts.

Program Notes

• ETI0457 is the third and final Occupational Completion Point (OCP-C) in the Florida Industrial Machinery Maintenance PSAV program sequence: ETI0450 (OCP-A) → ETI0456 (OCP-B) → ETI0457 (OCP-C).
• Prerequisites: Successful completion of ETI0456 Machinery Maintenance Mechanic or documented equivalent competencies.
• Students must present a standard high school diploma or GED and be a minimum of 18 years of age at time of enrollment.
• A Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) assessment must be completed within the first semester of enrollment or an allowable substitute must be provided.
• This program is offered at multiple Florida state colleges including Tallahassee Community College (TCC) and North Florida College (NFC), and is eligible for Florida Prepaid and applicable financial aid.