Application

This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to perform enamelling techniques applied to precious metals and some base metals using torch and kiln methods.

This unit does not apply to complex three-dimensional forms and plique-à-jour techniques.

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

assessing items for construction and enamelling requirements

selecting enamelling technique and materials to suit job specification and design, item properties and construction

washing and grinding enamels, including cleaning, polishing, burnishing and pre-treating and pickling metals by hand

applying enamel to achieve required outcome and performing any additional process requirements prior to the firing process

setting up equipment to the correct temperature and positioning items for firing using appropriate work holding devices, and monitoring and gauging stages

removing from heat source at appropriate time to avoid over or under firing and applying final treatments and finishes, including final firing polishing, and checking item for conformance to specifications and design requirements

identifying causes of non-conformance and rectifying faults

recording job information in accordance with SOPs.

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)

enamels, base metals and properties relating to enamelling, enamelling techniques, firing techniques and work holding devices, faults and common rectification methods

factors for determining suitability for enamelling, including available enamelling compositions, firing temperatures, metal type and properties, and item construction

different enamelling techniques and terms

enamelling compositions and techniques and related to specific item properties and factors, such as metal type and properties, item construction and firing temperature

enamels and forms of availability for purchase, including leaded and unleaded, opaque and transparent

use of enamel colour chart to determine suitable colours

procedures for preparation of enamel powder

techniques for washing and grinding enamels and reasons for doing so

preparation of metal surfaces by hand cleaning, polishing, burnishing, chemical pre-treatment by acid, surface depletion methods and application to different metals

additional processing techniques, including stamping, engraving, saw piercing, chasing, oxidising and roller pressing

tools and equipment for processing and their uses

methods of applying enamels, including wet packing and dry dusting

melting temperatures of metals and enamels

work-holding devices

visual appearance of enamel at different stages of firing process

counter-enamelling techniques and reasons for doing so

cleaning and lapping processes between firing

different finishes and methods for achieving specific effects

masking out methods and final firing and polishing methods

features and factors for compliance from original specifications and job requirements

common enamelling faults, incorrect outcomes and their causes, including oxidation, staining and under or over firing

actions to rectify faults using standard techniques and methods

job data to be recorded and procedures to record data.

Assessment Conditions

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in performing jewellery enamelling 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

Where possible assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

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': 'MEM11011', 'title': 'Undertake manual handling'}
• {'code': 'MEM13003', 'title': 'Work safely with industrial chemicals and materials'}
• {'code': 'MEM13015', 'title': 'Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering'}
• {'code': 'MEM16006', 'title': 'Organise and communicate information'}
• {'code': 'MEM18001', 'title': 'Use hand tools'}

Parent Qualifications

• MEM40119 — Certificate IV in Engineering
  MEM

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