Why is working with equipment considered a secondary role?

Alas, the original poster has touched on the pain points associated with dealing with equipment – it’s the same in all engineering companies (design firms); equipment is merely a supplementary element in an entire chemical engineering project, while the process itself is what truly matters.

It seems to be the case indeed; from the perspective of task allocation within a project, equipment management is often regarded as a subsidiary area of the process engineering field, so it’s unlikely that someone in this field will become the head of a project team – at most, they can serve as the person in charge of equipment-related matters. If you want to become a project manager, it’s better to switch to the field of process engineering as soon as possible.

It’s that easy to change careers. When I graduated, I wanted to change, but the company’s managers said that working with equipment was a very promising career path. Now I think I was deceived; our company is in great need of people with expertise in equipment management

This phenomenon does exist, but you have to see that there are many people studying craftsmanship; it seems that the ratio of those in craftsmanship to those in equipment-related fields is 3:1, or even higher. The craft is easy to understand but difficult to master; those who learn it are usually very meticulous and possess a strong sense of the bigger picture. Those learning to use the equipment can go up quickly due to the small number of people, but it’s more difficult to move backward. When learning about equipment in a chemical plant, it is essential to first understand the manufacturing processes as well. Those who are proficient in both areas are often those who specialize in equipment knowledge, and this is an advantage we have over those who focus solely on process studies. As long as one pays attention to accumulating knowledge over time and releases it gradually, gold will always shine.

In the chemical industry, process engineering is definitely the most important aspect; there’s no way around that

Once a choice has been made, regretting it is useless; the only way forward is to strive to become an expert!

I agree with the view from the 5th floor. Those who study equipment should, while maintaining their expertise in their own field, learn more about *process knowledge as well to improve their skills in that area, achieving proficiency in both. If they are lucky enough, they should be able to advance quickly.

It seems that not many people are that lucky. . . . .

If you spend your entire career in a chemical company, it’s likely impossible to escape this cycle. Even if you’re skilled at a particular process, the managers will still prefer to use the traditional methods, as others have more opportunities to learn those methods. In the long run, equipment offers more advantages – no need to relearn how to use it whenever you switch to a different chemical company. But with processes, it’s difficult to grasp the essence of a new system within just one year; equipment, on the other hand, has a clear advantage in this regard. Moreover, it’s very difficult to truly master equipment operation, but once you do, well, you’ll have to figure it out on your own

I’d advise that those working with chemical processing equipment must learn the relevant *processes; sticking solely to one’s specialty won’t lead to success. Mastering both the equipment and the processes is the right approach. If there’s no way forward, :lol :lol just change jobs! With skills in hand, one can go anywhere in the world.

Everyone upstairs has said very good things. This is exactly how it is for me – I have worked in the branch factory for many years, and even though I know more about that manufacturing process, when there are issues, it’s still the process specialists who are consulted. We have no way of getting involved in such matters; without practical experience, it’s difficult to master certain things!

It’s not easy to make headway with equipment; the process is what matters most. Everything in the installation is well-defined, but when it comes to equipment, it has to rely passively on the conditions provided by the process, without knowing anything else

There are many people who share the same feelings as me; let’s all work hard: lol :lol

Design and technology are relatively stronger in that regard; there is no issue of occupational discrimination – it’s a matter of the extent of development opportunities

Equipment is every component in a manufacturing process, just like bones and muscles in the human body； The process is like the various systems in the human body ； The two complement each other; it is not possible to say definitively that equipment is secondary while the processing technique is primary – coordination is necessary. If the skeleton is damaged, the muscular system will also be affected ； Therefore, processes and equipment should both be an integral part of the production process, with the distinction between primary and secondary elements being determined by their functions.

The process is the key, there’s no doubt about that, but without equipment, even the best process cannot be put into practice. The two simply have different roles, but neither can do without the other. To be honest, most of the domestic manufacturing processes are imported from foreign process packages; how much of them actually represents proprietary intellectual property? ； As for equipment, there are many things to explore and learn about; there are national standards as well as international standards, and there is a great deal one can achieve in these areas. To be honest, those who work with piping really have it tough.

The process is key, but if you lack the necessary skills, even that ‘key’ won’t be effective; what matters most is one’s own professional competence and abilities. . .

Because the equipment must be subordinate to production and serve it; production is what matters most. The manufacturing process is responsible for production, so it should have more authority

　　Process is the key; equipment serves the process, and this is true in any company. Even if you feel you know a little more about equipment than those in charge of the manufacturing process, the boss won’t easily use you, because it’s not your specialty after all. There are things you know how to do but not why they’re done that way. Following established procedures is fine, but when it comes to dealing with unexpected problems or engaging in research and development, the difference between professionals becomes evident. 　　But working with equipment does have its advantages as well; generally, there are few people in companies who work with equipment, so it’s easy to advance in this field ； Another advantage is the versatility of the equipment; if you can become a specialist in one company, it’s easy to apply those skills in other companies as well.

In terms of the process followed by design institutes when designing a plant, the process comes first – it determines the selection of equipment. In the construction and renovation of plants, the process remains prior, as this is inherent to its nature and cannot be changed. However, during the normal operation of a plant, equipment management should take precedence over the process, because 80% of failures in chemical plants are related to equipment issues. Proper equipment management is essential for ensuring stable production and reducing costs. Yet many managers, perhaps due to inertia, fail to give this enough attention, which is a pity! But with dedication, one can achieve success in anything.