Application

This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to perform electro-discharge machining (EDM) operations and applies to a range of EDM operations and engineering materials.

This unit has been primarily developed for Engineering Tradesperson - Mechanical apprenticeship training and the recognition of trade-level skills in performing EDM operations.

Where the selection and use of power tools/hand held operations is required unit MEM18002 Use power tools/hand held operations should also be selected.

Where electrodes are required to be manufactured see appropriate machining units.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two (2) occasions and include:

following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices

identifying and interpreting specifications, drawings and other applicable reference documents with respect to performing electro-discharge machining (EDM) operations

determining the coordinates of the work pieces relative to the machine datum

calculating machining parameters necessary in achieving the safe, accurate and efficient machining of the work piece

calculating the electrode surface area and selecting the correct electrodes for the job

setting up job using appropriate holding devices and accessories

performing EDM operations to produce components to specifications

checking components for conformance to specifications using precision measuring instruments

rectifying non-compliant product.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

sequence of operations to achieve the EDM job requirements

electrode types and geometry required to achieve the specified outcome

effects of material to be machined on the electrode material and geometry

procedures for producing electrodes for the electro-discharge machining process

coordinates of the feature(s) to be machined

coordinates of the electrode relative to the machine datum

procedures for operating the electro-discharge machine to produce components

tools, techniques and equipment appropriate to the checking of machined components

tools, techniques and equipment for checking components for conformance to specifications and rectifying non-compliant components

reasons for selecting the tools, techniques and equipment to be used.

Assessment Conditions

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in performing electro-discharge machining (EDM) operations at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience

satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 or its replacement and comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, its replacement or equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring state/territory as the case requires.

Assessment must include evidence of 160 hours of workplace practice associated with the skills of this unit in a functioning workplace.

All aspects of competent application of the unit must be addressed including prerequisite competency units and associated workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Knowledge assessment may be either verbal or written but must adequately reflect the knowledge requirements of the unit and its prerequisites in a functioning workplace.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Foundation Skills

• text: This section describes those required skills (reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) that are essential to workplace performance in this unit of competency. Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Prerequisite Units

• {'code': 'MEM07005', 'title': 'Perform general machining'}
• {'code': 'MEM09002', 'title': 'Interpret technical drawing'}
• {'code': 'MEM11011', 'title': 'Undertake manual handling'}
• {'code': 'MEM12023', 'title': 'Perform engineering measurements'}
• {'code': 'MEM12024', 'title': 'Perform computations'}
• {'code': 'MEM13015', 'title': 'Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering'}
• {'code': 'MEM14006', 'title': 'Plan work activities'}
• {'code': 'MEM16006', 'title': 'Organise and communicate information'}
• {'code': 'MEM18001', 'title': 'Use hand tools'}

Parent Qualifications

• MEM30219 — Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
  MEM
• MEM31519 — Certificate III in Engineering - Toolmaking Trade
  MEM
• MEM40119 — Certificate IV in Engineering
  MEM

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