Editing IndustrialMech

"Although crude by today's standards, the myomer bundles and actuators developed in [[2350]] paved the way for the creation of the '''IndustrialMech''' (or WorkMech, as it was often called in the twenty-fourth century). A key technology in the transformation of colony worlds critically short of skilled labor, the IndustrialMech served as an invaluable 'force multiplier.' As the technology was refined, it was inevitable that the military would also show an interest. IndustrialMechs had served the [[Hegemony Armed Forces]] in a rear-area support role almost since their inception, but in [[2439]] Hegemony scientists finally perfected the first true [[BattleMech]] (though primitive by the standards of the modern 'Mechs that began appearing by [[2470]]) - the ''[[Mackie]]''. For the next three hundred years the BattleMech overshadowed its civilian brother but, in truth, records indicate that IndustrialMechs outnumbered their martial brethren by at least twenty to one.

"As bad as the technological and industrial losses of the [[Succession Wars]] were for BattleMechs, they proved even more devastating for IndustrialMechs. The unceasing demand for spare parts forced the [[Successor States]] to divert their dwindling manufacturing capacity to support their armies. When even this proved insufficient, the [[Inner Sphere]] began to strip IndustrialMechs for parts. Some desperate attempts were made to press IndustrialMechs into service on the battlefield, but these were invariably unmitigated disasters. By the end of the [[Third Succession War]], the IndustrialMech had become almost as rare as the BattleMech.

"The technological renaissance that followed the recovery of an intact [[Star League]] memory core was initially focused on updating military equipment. Following the [[Truce of Tukayyid]], some of the recovered technology began to filter down to the civilian sector. While many of the established BattleMech producers were slow to act, a host of smaller firms have stepped in to fill demand in this growing market."<ref>[[FanPro]]. "IndustrialMechs", ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]]''. Chicago (2006): 198.</ref>

==Summary==

IndustrialMechs, or WorkMechs, are Mechs that are used for industrial purposes (hence the name). They are similar in shape to BattleMechs, which they predated, but are built for non-combat tasks related to primary industry. Instead of a fusion engine, they have an internal combustion engine which is less efficient. However, this reduced power is sufficient for a WorkMech's role. Known WorkMechs are the ForestryMech, the AgroMech, the MiningMech, the LoaderMech, the ConstructionMech and the SalvageMech. 

WorkMechs have been used in a military fashion, usually after some third-party modifications. For example, a ForestryMech will have it's manipulative arm replaced with an autocannon (as stated by Ghost Knight Mason Dunne in the Mechwarrior novel Ghost War). Even with these additions WorkMechs are less effective than a BattleMech of the same tonnage.

The Jade Phoenix Trilogy had, as one character called it, an "AgriBot", but the description and illustration showed it as a quadruped machine. It is possible that this is a WorkMech. The Dark Age storyline showcases a significant number of WorkMechs, often in combat roles, but also in their industrial role.

==References==
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>

[[Category:Technology]]


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-[[Image:Color-industrymech.png|thumb|right|An ''[[Uni]]'' CargoMech]]
+"Although crude by today's standards, the myomer bundles and actuators developed in [[2350]] paved the way for the creation of the '''IndustrialMech''' (or WorkMech, as it was often called in the twenty-fourth century). A key technology in the transformation of colony worlds critically short of skilled labor, the IndustrialMech served as an invaluable 'force multiplier.' As the technology was refined, it was inevitable that the military would also show an interest. IndustrialMechs had served the [[Hegemony Armed Forces]] in a rear-area support role almost since their inception, but in [[2439]] Hegemony scientists finally perfected the first true [[BattleMech]] (though primitive by the standards of the modern 'Mechs that began appearing by [[2470]]) - the ''[[Mackie]]''. For the next three hundred years the BattleMech overshadowed its civilian brother but, in truth, records indicate that IndustrialMechs outnumbered their martial brethren by at least twenty to one.
-'''IndustrialMechs''', also known as '''WorkMechs''' or '''UtilityMechs''', are walking machines which are used for industrial purposes (hence the name). They are similar in shape to [[BattleMech]]s, which they predate, and feature many of the same technologies but are built for noncombat tasks such as construction, farming, and policing.  IndustrialMechs reached their heyday during the [[Star League era]], but after the start of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] their numbers sharply declined as these machines and the factories that built them were cannibalized to repair and produce BattleMechs.  The technological renaissance which occurred during the latter part of the [[thirty-first century]] has seen a revival in IndustrialMech numbers as new production lines opened up to meet civilian demand.<ref name=TM9>''TechManual'', p. 9</ref>
-==History==
+"As bad as the technological and industrial losses of the [[Succession Wars]] were for BattleMechs, they proved even more devastating for IndustrialMechs. The unceasing demand for spare parts forced the [[Successor States]] to divert their dwindling manufacturing capacity to support their armies. When even this proved insufficient, the [[Inner Sphere]] began to strip IndustrialMechs for parts. Some desperate attempts were made to press IndustrialMechs into service on the battlefield, but these were invariably unmitigated disasters. By the end of the [[Third Succession War]], the IndustrialMech had become almost as rare as the BattleMech.
-The introduction of [[myomer]] in [[2350]] allowed for the development of WorkMechs shortly thereafter; while primitive compared to later examples, these machines revolutionized commerce and industry.  As humanity spread amongst the stars, skilled labor was in short supply on many colonial worlds, with WorkMechs stepping in to provide an invaluable boost to productivity.  WorkMechs found use in rear-area support for the [[Hegemony Armed Forces]], but the military was interested in adapting the technology for front-line combat.  Their work would eventually lead to the introduction of the first true BattleMech, the ''[[Mackie]]'', in [[2439]].<ref name=TROVAp198>''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex'', p. 198</ref>
-During the Succession Wars, IndustrialMechs became almost as rare as BattleMechs, and not just because they were broken down for spare parts: in their desperation some groups sent armed IndustrialMechs to fight on the front-lines, with predictably disastrous results.  The discovery of the [[Helm Memory Core]] helped the IndustrialMech just as much as the BattleMech too.  As technology used to restart BattleMech production filtered down to the civilian markets, many small and midsize companies stepped into the void left by the Succession Wars to start producing new IndustrialMechs to meet a growing marketplace.<ref name=TROVAp198/>
+"The technological renaissance that followed the recovery of an intact [[Star League]] memory core was initially focused on updating military equipment. Following the [[Truce of Tukayyid]], some of the recovered technology began to filter down to the civilian sector. While many of the established BattleMech producers were slow to act, a host of smaller firms have stepped in to fill demand in this growing market."<ref>[[FanPro]]. "IndustrialMechs", ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]]''. Chicago (2006): 198.</ref>
-The devastation of the [[Jihad]] had a similar effect on revitalizing IndustrialMech production as the people of the [[Inner Sphere]] attempt to rebuild their lives once again.  It also saw an increase role for armed IndustrialMechs as many poor worlds or those wrecked by the conflict attempt to strengthen their defenses.<ref name=TM9/><ref name=TROVAp198/>
+==Summary==
-During the [[Dark Age]] after [[Gray Monday]], armed IndustrialMechs and AgroMechs formed the bulk of many Clan, Inner Sphere or mercenary units.
+IndustrialMechs, or WorkMechs, are Mechs that are used for industrial purposes (hence the name). They are similar in shape to BattleMechs, which they predated, but are built for non-combat tasks related to primary industry. Instead of a fusion engine, they have an internal combustion engine which is less efficient. However, this reduced power is sufficient for a WorkMech's role. Known WorkMechs are the ForestryMech, the AgroMech, the MiningMech, the LoaderMech, the ConstructionMech and the SalvageMech.
-==Construction==
+WorkMechs have been used in a military fashion, usually after some third-party modifications. For example, a ForestryMech will have it's manipulative arm replaced with an autocannon (as stated by Ghost Knight Mason Dunne in the Mechwarrior novel Ghost War). Even with these additions WorkMechs are less effective than a BattleMech of the same tonnage.
-IndustrialMechs share many of the same components as their more famous BattleMech brethren, though with obvious differences.  The [[Chassis#IndustrialMech|chassis]] uses many of the same principles of construction, but tend to be bulkier, heavier and cheaper.  They also come in a greater variety of shapes than the typical humanoid form.  [[Actuator]]s and [[myomer]] bundles are also very similar to those used in BattleMechs.  Some make use of a [[fusion engine]] as their source of power, but still more make do with [[fission engine]]s, [[fuel cell]]s and [[internal combustion engine]]s, especially as these can be significantly cheaper and make use of local fuel sources.  [[Industrial Armor]] also differs in that it is primarily designed to protect the machine from common workplace accidents - ''e.g.'' falling rocks - rather than weapons fire.<ref name=TM63>''TechManual'', p. 63</ref>
-The [[sensors]] on an IndustrialMech are both less and more advanced than those found on BattleMechs.  While ill-suited for general combat use, they can be far more sophisticated and accurate than their military equivalent when used in their specific role: the Magnetic Anomaly Detector on some MiningMechs for example surpass military-grade equipment in their ability to not just locate mineral veins but determine density, composition and other important information.  IndustrialMech [[cockpit]]s also bear many similarities to those on BattleMechs.  However, while all IndustrialMechs are equipped with a [[Gyro]] to maintain balance, few if any make use of [[neurohelmet]]s, with the pilots relying on physical controls only.<ref name=TM63/>
+The Jade Phoenix Trilogy had, as one character called it, an "AgriBot", but the description and illustration showed it as a quadruped machine. It is possible that this is a WorkMech. The Dark Age storyline showcases a significant number of WorkMechs, often in combat roles, but also in their industrial role.
-==SecurityMechs==
-A notable subtype are armed IndustrialMechs, known as [[SecurityMech]]s. They are governed by the [[SecurityMech Treaty of 2613]] and fall somewhere between civilian WorkMechs and military BattleMechs. The treaty limits their allowed mass and armament.
-==See Also==
-*[[:Category:IndustrialMechs|List of IndustrialMechs]]
 ==References==
-<references />
+<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
-==Bibliography==
+[[Category:Technology]]
-* ''[[TechManual]]''
-* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]]''
-[[Category:Technology]]
+{{stub}}
-[[Category:'Mech classifications]]