Home / Resources / Units of Competency / Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking / PMBPROD313E
← Back to units in PMB
PMBPROD313E Current

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to, set-up, operate and optimise extrusion equipment to produce products such as pipe, sheet, profile, film and cable.
This unit applies to an experienced technician working alone or as part of a team.
The unit principally refers to a ‘trade-level’ operator competency in the field of regular polymer extrusion. It may be specialised in the particular workplace or field of polymer extrusion, but it is expected that a competent operator is able to adapt to set up, operate and control the extrusion of other polymers.
No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.

What You'll Learn

1.

  • 1.1 Identify and check materials requirements, including additives and regrind and amounts or percentage ratios required, from job specifications
  • 1.3 Perform pre-operational checks including checking for and controlling hazards according to workplace procedures
  • 1.4 Identify and check emergency stops, guards and controls
  • 1.5 Identify checks and testing processes required for equipment, materials, quality and production management to meet job requirements
  • 1.6 Perform housekeeping tasks to support work to be undertaken

2.

  • 2.1 Identify and set production process according to equipment and job specifications, and adjust process to optimise output based on selected materials
  • 2.3 Verify materials are correct against job specifications
  • 2.4 Set up date, batch and materials markings according to workplace procedures
  • 2.5 Undertake other pre-startup checks according to equipment specifications and workplace procedures

3.

  • 3.1 Start up and operate extrusion process equipment, and make adjustments to settings to meet job specifications
  • 3.3 Follow checking and testing processes to assess if output meets job specifications and quality standards, and apply strategies for managing non-conforming outputs
  • 3.4 Maintain continuity of process to support production
  • 3.5 Work efficiently to minimise scrap and trim according to workplace procedures
  • 3.6 Clean work area, and clean, adjust and lubricate equipment, according to equipment specifications and workplace procedures
  • 3.7 Pause or stop machine cycle in normal and abnormal circumstances according to workplace procedures

4.

  • 4.1 Determine type of shutdown and process to be followed from equipment instructions and workplace procedures
  • 4.3 Purge machine using appropriate methods and materials
  • 4.4 Complete equipment clean-up and post-production adjustments according to equipment specifications and workplace procedures
  • 4.5 Put guards, locks and notices in place to prevent inadvertent startup
  • 4.6 Accurately complete workplace shutdown documentation
  • 4.7 Clean and clear work area after the shutdown in readiness for the next startup

5.

  • 5.1 Recognise existing or potential process control variances and their causes
  • 5.3 Monitor process control variances and corrective actions taken until resolved
  • 5.4 Accurately maintain records and logbooks

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and demonstrated the ability to:
• produce extruded polymer products at least once to meet job specifications.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:
• the functions of polymer extrusion equipment
• the principles of operation of polymer extrusion equipment
• the polymer extrusion process and materials demand
• the criteria for overall process/equipment readiness for the process or equipment being used types and characteristics of materials and their behaviour in relation to process conditions and stages of production
• typical quality standards required at each stage of production
• mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic principles that effect machine operation
• the impact of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to final product
• key variables that may affect product quality and production output, including:
• actual and set temperatures
• speeds
• colour and uniformity
• surface finish or appearance
• output rate
• product integrity and general conformance to specification
• typical and atypical process and product problems, including early warning signs, possible causes and corrective actions
• methods and materials for purging equipment, and their combinations and applications
• organisational procedures relevant to the work environment and job role, including procedures for the emergency shutdown of equipment
• hazards that may arise in the job or work environment, and:
• their possible causes
• potential consequences
• appropriate risk controls.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Foundation Skills

  • {'skill': 'Foundation Skills', 'description': 'This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.\n• Numeracy skills to interpret technical information and equipment readings.\n• Reading skills to interpret specifications and workplace procedures.\n• Writing and oral communication skills to record and report on polymer extrusion production.\nOther foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.'}

Parent Qualifications

Related Units

Generate Compliant Training Materials for PMBPROD313E

RTOFlow automatically creates learner guides, assessment workbooks, marking guides, and trainer resources aligned to this unit of competency — saving you weeks of manual work.

Request Early Access

Last updated from training.gov.au: 07 April 2026