Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to form glass tubes into specific shapes, fill them with gas, and provide a source of power to the tubes to produce illuminated signs commonly referred to as neon signs. It covers using tools and equipment to shape the glass tubes, and then attaching electrodes and pumping gas through the tubes before sealing and powering up the signs for display. It also covers installing the sign to a backing for display purposes and maximum visual effect.
The unit supports sign manufacturers who produce illuminated signs using neon gas.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and must manufacture two different gas-charged glass-formed illuminated signs as follows:
• one sign must contain a directional symbol, such as an arrow
• one sign must consist of at least three words written in script lettering and sans serif font, using three different colours.
In doing the above work, the person must:
• work, shape and join the glass tubed sections safely and accurately to form the required shapes or letters
• select and use relevant tools and equipment to handle and form the glass
• safely attach required number of electrodes and connect glass tubing
• prepare the glass and pump gas to the glass assembly safely
• bombard, cool and age the glass to specifications
• affix each finished sign to a panel measuring a minimum 400 mm length x 300 mm height.

Knowledge Evidence

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
• statutory and regulatory authority requirements relating to safe handling of materials, including:
• removal of waste products
• storage of chemicals and materials
• key features of drawings and specifications of gas-charged glass-formed signs, including dimensions, symbols and abbreviations
• methods and techniques to:
• shape and form glass
• pump gas into glass
• processes to measure and set out when preparing to manufacture gas-charged illuminated signs, including applying direct and indirect layout methods
• Australian standards appropriate to manufacturing gas-charged illuminated signs, including:
• AS 2508.2.012 Safe storage and handling; information cards for hazardous materials
• AS 3100 Approval and test specification – General requirements for electrical equipment
• AS 3953 Loading guide for dry-power transformers
• types and characteristics of fonts and lettering styles used in the manufacture of signs
• safety procedures required when working with live flame and gas
• terminology used in sign manufacture
• types and characteristics of gas-charged glass-formed illuminated signs
• types, characteristics and correct handling procedures for materials used in the manufacture of gas-charged glass-formed illuminated signs
• types and uses of electrodes and transformers when manufacturing gas-charged glass-formed illuminated signs
• purpose and application of the following when working with tools and equipment used in the manufacture of gas-charged glass-formed illuminated signs:
• safety data sheets (SDS)
• safe work method statements (SWMS).

Assessment Conditions

Suitable assessment of performance requires:
• equipment:
• glass heaters
• tongs
• materials:
• custom wood panel measuring at least 400 mm in length x 300 mm in height
• electrodes
• fastenings and fixings used to attach sign components
• glass tubes
• neon gas
• transformers
• contingencies:
• identify and rectify faults in illuminated signs
• specifications:
• Australian standards:
• AS 2508.2.012 Safe storage and handling; information cards for hazardous materials
• AS 3100 Approval and test specification – General requirements for electrical equipment
• AS 3953 Loading guide for dry-power transformers
• SDS for materials used when manufacturing gas-charged illuminated signs
• SWMS
• relationship with client:
• check and confirm design of glass shapes and job specifications
• timeframe:
• according to job requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Learning skills to:', 'description': 'transfer key principles and techniques of heating and forming glass tubes to form and join glass sections to new designs.'}
• {'skill': 'Numeracy skills to:', 'description': 'measure and calculate lengths and widths to set out sign design according to scale.'}
• {'skill': 'Oral communication skills to:', 'description': 'use questioning techniques to identify and confirm client requirements, share information, listen and understand.'}
• {'skill': 'Reading skills to:', 'description': 'read and interpret a range of information relating to the safe and appropriate use of tools and equipment for heating and shaping glass over a live flame, including safe work method statements (SWMS) and manufacturer specifications.'}
• {'skill': 'Writing skills to:', 'description': 'report faults in tools and equipment to manufacturer and relevant personnel in short, simple reports.'}

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