Production Mechanic...I NEED HELP...

[dgend1]

Hi, I have an interview at Gillette for the position of production mechanic however
this interview is the 2nd of 3 steps. They told me i am going to take a test.
The test consists of a machine they call the do nothing machine I guess
it serves no purpose other than to test your mechanical ability. I have
been told that this machine has movable parts in it and they are going
to let me study it for a while and then take it do something to it then
give it back to me, and they want me to fix it and i will be timed. I
have been researching this on the internet but have come up empty
any help anyone can give me is greatly appreciated. please email
me at dgend2@aol.com

 

[tomwalz]

Here is what I do when I am called in to solve problems.

Gillette is a very good manufacturing operation. They made the single largest purchase of industrial lasers ever for their new triple blade razor. Plus the razor works. I can shave without cutting myself.

Anyway, in a large sophisticated, manufacturing operation you need all the equipment operating together. For Example: If someone gets a good idea and increases the speed of a machine by 10% without adjusting the rest of the line then parts fall on the floor or jam the next machine.

Your job is going to be to do what Gillette wants done. Before you can fix a machine you need to know what “fixed” means. My guess is that frame member thickness is probably not important. A belt hanging from one pulley probably is important.

1. Ask for the manual?
2. If there is no manual then ask what the operating parameters are.
Speed
Noise
Tolerances
Play
3. If they won’t tell you then write them down yourself. Check with someone that you have all the essential points covered.

Ask for the maintenance records. Ask what problems the machine has had before and what was done.

Do not decide for yourself what the machine should do. What is important is that the machine does what Gillette wants it to do.

Nobody wants a mechanic who designs equipment without letting anyone know about the changes. If you have a better idea then present it clearly in writing.

In the real world gathering information is usually a good place to start. If you are dealing with engineers or manufacturing folks this should get you off to a good start. Ask lots of questions until you are really sure you understand the problem.

If this is some Human Resources wet dream project then you are on your own.


Good Luck,
Tom

P.S. This is free advice and may be worth what you paid for it,

 

It sounds like to me, that it is a mechanical aptitude test---I would say they are giving you a working machine to study.---Make sure you can understand every working component and why it does what it does---then they may tweak one or more component to make it not functional.---put it back where it was and that may be all this test is.----Good luck