Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to plan and make a plug/pattern from which composite moulds can be made.
This unit of competency applies to experienced operators who are required to convert the specification or design into a plan for the tooling and mould, construct the plug/pattern, make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity and solve problems within area of responsibility.
This unit of competency applies to an experienced operator demonstrating theoretical and technical knowledge and well developed skills in situations that require some discretion and judgement. The experienced operator may work alone or as a member of a team or group and will work in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor, as appropriate.
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 and demonstrate the ability to:
• read and interpret product specifications, job sheets and material labels
• plan the plug/pattern according to requirements
• plan and sequence steps to construct the plug/pattern
• prepare equipment, tools and materials to meet specifications
• construct and check/test the plug/pattern
• monitor key variables, including:
• actual and set temperatures
• colour and uniformity
• surface finish/appearance
• times (including curing rates)
• product weight and output rate product integrity and
• general conformance to specification
• make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity
• identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls
• apply safety procedures
• apply housekeeping procedures
• apply waste management procedures
• recognise early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems
• distinguish between causes of problems, including:
• operational problems
• equipment malfunction/wear
• materials properties
• raw material variations/contamination
• procedural errors
• recognise and prioritise problems requiring action
• resolve routine and non-routine problems
• communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors
• complete workplace records
• do basic arithmetical manipulations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to operate independently and to solve routine and non-routine problems, including knowledge of:
• common composite moulding processes and function and operating principles of the moulding equipment
• characteristics of materials and their behaviour in relation moulding process conditions and stages of production
• moulding process variables that affect plug/pattern construction and materials
• product requirements that affect plug/pattern construction and materials
• common options/adjustments in plug/pattern construction and materials and their impact on product quality and production output
• quality requirements at each stage of construction
• factors which may affect plug/pattern quality and appropriate remedies
• non-routine problems that may arise, the range of possible causes and appropriate actions
• organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role
• hierarchy of control
• hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:
• their possible causes
• potential consequences
• appropriate risk controls.

Assessment Conditions

• The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
• Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in PMBPROD247 Hand lay up composites and MEM09002BInterpret technical drawing, one or both may be co-assessed with this unit.
• The collection of performance evidence is best done from a report and/or folio of evidence drawn from:
• a single project which provides sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria
• multiple smaller projects which together provide sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria.
• A third-party report, or similar, may be needed to testify to the work done by the individual, particularly when the project has been done as part of a project team.
• Assessment should use a real project in an operational workplace. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment must occur using 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.
• Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from demonstration of skills and one or more of:
• walk-throughs
• pilot plant operation
• industry based case studies/scenarios
• ‘what ifs’.
• Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews.
• 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.
• Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
• The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
• Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
• Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
• In addition the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment shall demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they shall assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
• Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:
• relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
• appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
• appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
• Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:
• being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
• being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
• having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
• conducting on the job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
• being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Foundation Skills', 'description': 'This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.\nFoundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.'}

Prerequisite Units

• PMBPROD247
• MEM09002B

Related Units

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• PMBPROD251 — Apply gel coat or other polymer surface finish
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• PMBPROD324 — Inspect tyres for retreading
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• PMBPROD229 — Operate polystyrene shape moulding equipment
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• PMBPROD301E — Draw wire
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