Boilermakers


Boilermakers and boilermaker mechanics make, install, and repair boilers, vats, and other large vessels that hold liquids and gases. Boilers supply steam to drive huge turbines in electric powerplants and to provide heat and power in buildings, factories, and ships. Tanks and vats are used to process and store chemicals, oil, beer, and hundreds of other products.
Boilers and other high-pressure vessels usually are made in sections, by casting each piece out of molten iron or steel. Manufacturers are increasingly automating this process to increase the quality of these vessels. Boiler sections are then welded together, often using automated orbital welding machines, which make more consistent welds than are possible by hand. Small boilers may be assembled in the manufacturing plant; larger boilers usually are assembled on site.
Following blueprints, boilermakers locate and mark reference points on the boiler foundation, using straightedges, squares, transits, and tape measures. Boilermakers attach rigging and signal crane operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections and other parts into place. They align sections, using plumb bobs, levels, wedges, and turnbuckles. Boilermakers use hammers, files, grinders, and cutting torches to remove irregular edges, so that edges fit properly. They then bolt or weld edges together. Boilermakers align and attach water tubes, stacks, valves, gauges, and other parts and test complete vessels for leaks or other defects. They also install refractory brick and other heat-resistant materials in fireboxes or pressure vessels. Usually, they assemble large vessels temporarily in a fabrication shop to ensure a proper fit before final assembly on the permanent site.
Because boilers last a long time—35 years or more—boilermakers regularly maintain them and update components, such as burners and boiler tubes, to increase efficiency. Boilermaker mechanics maintain and repair boilers and similar vessels. They inspect tubes, fittings, valves, controls, and auxiliary machinery and clean or supervise the cleaning of boilers using scrapers, wire brushes, and cleaning solvents. They repair or replace defective parts, using hand and power tools, gas torches, and welding equipment, and may operate metalworking machinery to repair or make parts. They also dismantle leaky boilers, patch weak spots with metal stock, replace defective sections, and strengthen joints.


Related news articles
Boilermakers maintain their grip on reality - 16 Oct 2006
South Bend Tribune,Earlier last week, a challenge was delivered to the Boilermaker defensive tackles to pick up their game and make more of an impact. ...

Now and Then: Jennifer Jacoby - 16 Oct 2006
Journal and Courier,She helped the Hornets with the program's first basketball sectional title and was part of a Boilermaker team that advanced to the Final Four in 1994 and the ...

Boilermaker Special visits Bluffton for upgrades - Oct 10, 2006
Bluffton News Banner,BOILERMAKERS IN BLUFFTON - Purdue University senior John Stauffer poses in front of his “ride,�? the school mascot the Boilermaker Special V. Stauffer is ...

Boilermaker fan sees lack of class from fans - Oct 5, 2006
The Exponent,Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Purdue vs. Notre Dame football game up in South Bend. My parents, girlfriend and girlfriend's ...

Calling All Boilermaker Fans Volleyball team looks to sell out ... - Sep 29, 2006
CSTV.com,WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue volleyball team needs your help to fill the IAF with Boilermaker fans for this weekend's home contests with No. ...

Former WVU, Marshall coach Bill Legg helping Boilermaker offense ... - Sep 20, 2006
Daily Mail - Charleston,In Coach Joe Tiller's 10 football seasons at Purdue, the Boilermakers have had one of the most potent offenses in the nation. After ...

Let Boilermaker fans eat cake - Oct 2, 2006
South Bend Tribune,...average Purdue football fan's cake. Last year's Boilermaker collapse has changed the psyche of the team's faithful. It used to be ...

Boilermaker stories wanted for documentary - Sep 17, 2006
Utica Observer Dispatch,UTICA — A documentary focusing on the Utica Boilermaker Road Race, being produced by a local television production company, is asking for local input. ...

Students march to Boilermaker beat - Sep 20, 2006
Topics.com,WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Several Indianapolis-area residents are among 338 student musicians invited to join Purdue's All-American Marching Band this season. ...

Purdue Dominates Indiana Intercollegiates - Oct 14, 2006
SwimmingWorldMagazine.com,...s men's and women's swimming and diving teams destroyed the competition at the Indiana Intercollegiates Saturday afternoon at the Boilermaker Aquatic Center. ...

NU Sports News Digest for 10/13 - Oct 13, 2006
IlliniBoard.com,Friday the 13th, a day full of [black] Cat references...NU Football fans hope that the Boilermaker's Offense walks under a ladder tomorrow on their way to Ryan ...

Defense looks to stop physical rushing attack - Oct 12, 2006
The Exponent,By Jeremy Poston. The Boilermaker defense knew it would have difficulty stopping the pass this season, but it didn't expect to be so powerless against the run. ...

Badger Sweep No. 14 Wisconsin tops volleyball 3-0 - Oct 13, 2006
CSTV.com,9 Purdue Friday night. The Badgers won the match 30-12, 30-20, 31-29. Sophomore Danita Merlau led the Boilermaker effort with 14 kills. ...

Saints fans receive blue-collar support - Oct 15, 2006
Times Picayune,Offers of support poured in from across the country: Pa.Saint, a retired boilermaker from Kane, Pa., and the son of a carpenter; St.Michaelfan, 54, a chemical ...

Boilers WR injures eye in paintball game - Oct 10, 2006
Indianapolis Star,WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A late-night, paintball-type game on Purdue's Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex turned serious for Purdue receiver Selwyn Lymon. ...

Charming but firm, King left mark on Purdue athletics - Oct 7, 2006
Journal and Courier,...has changed dramatically since 1971, when King -- then the Purdue men's basketball coach -- was asked to fill the giant shoes of colorful Boilermaker AD Guy ...

Ladish Reaches New Labor Contract - Oct 2, 2006
Yahoo! News (press release)2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ladish Co., Inc. (http://www.ladishco.com ) ("Ladish") and members of Local #1509 of the Boilermaker-Blacksmiths Union ratified a ...

Defense running out of excuses - Oct 8, 2006
Journal and Courier,Considering Purdue's performance against the 19th-ranked Hawkeyes on Saturday, any Boilermaker fan who made this road trip or watched on ESPNU probably feels ...

Former Purdue AD, coach King dies - Oct 6, 2006
Journal and Courier,...athletic director from 1971 to 1992, he may be best remembered for bringing an exciting style of basketball at just the right moment in Boilermaker history. ...

Former walk-on earns starting role - Oct 5, 2006
Journal and Courier,But Guynn began to get vibes that Purdue really wanted him to walk-on, so he decided to take a shot at major college football and become a Boilermaker. ...






More information on Boilermakers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Boilermakers occupation
Number of Boilermakers in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Boilermakers
Working conditions for Boilermakers
Significant points for Boilermakers
Training requirements for Boilermakers




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