Industrial Technologist

I am Perry, and I am an industrial technologist.  Yep, industrial technologists study the equipment of industry.  We (also known as "the other IT folks") are generalists in the hardware professions, typically mastering the handful of technologies (software included) critical to the business of our employer or shop.  Some, like me, avoid specializing and study and work to understand a wide variety of technologies so we may teach future technologists, manage processing or energy plants, or consult on technical projects.  In those roles, we call on specialist technicians for the detailed concerns. And, of course, so-called "generalists" often become subject-matter experts.

Tracing Electrical Leads in a Communication Circuit

Troubleshooting a Printed-circuit Board

The "industrial" moniker means we study equipment listed in the U.S. Standard Industrial Code (SIC) Major Groups 35 and 36 - Industrial and Commercial Machinery and Computer Equipment, and Electronic and Other Electrical Equipment and Components, Except Computer Equipment.*  Studying these technologies leads us to develop a variety of skills - many of which benefit home and community as much as they do industry.  If you operate a factory, power-generating plant, fabrication shop or repair facility, you'll certainly know or want to know a few industrial technologists.  Consider putting a current employee to the task of studying industrial technology through one of the academic programs recognized by The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering.

In order to diagnose technical problems (troubleshoot) in the home, vehicle, or plant, technicians use a number of instruments "plugged in" to the system of concern.  Of course, a skilled, focused brain is our primary "tool," but you will see techs handle ohmmeters, voltmeters, ammeters (typically combined in a multimeter), oscilloscopes and logic probes for electrical diagnostics, thermal sensors and pressure gauges for troubleshooting air conditioners, cookers and furnaces, strain gauges, dial indicators and feeler gauges for resolving mechanical problems, and a slew of microprocessors embedded within the increasingly "smart" vehicles, appliances, homes and factories.

Dial Indicators Measure Slight Mechanical Motion

As an airplane mechanic (my first post-schooling job), I would rather have worked in bare feet than ignored the manufacturer's instructions published in their official service and illustrated parts manuals.  The technician (that would be a "working" industrial technologist 😉) learns very early on not to rely on memory for values of torque, gear lash, burst pressure, or clipping voltage.  Truly, current reference documents are as important to the job as are the calibrated and consistent torque wrench, tachometer and strain gauge.  It helps to approach every routine task as if it involved life-support! 

No matter the breakdown's cause, it's techs to the rescue resolving any problems the human-made world throws our way!  Hey, life's technical and it's helpful to count an industrial technologist among your friends.

      Pics by Pixabay artists!

*Modern classification is called the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)