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PMBTECH603E Current

Application

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to design a new product, or a component of a new product, that has a significant structural or mechanical requirement. It applies to polymer components including:
• structural components, e.g. support columns and beams in plastic playground equipment
• rigid beams and frames, e.g. in boat hulls and decks
• mechanical components subject to forces or transmitting mechanical power, e.g. gears and cams.
This unit applies to an advanced technologist, technical expert or those in similar roles, working in a lead technical role within a design team. The technologist is not required to demonstrate ‘hands-on’ operation of equipment as part of this competency.
The unit principally refers to the design of a new product with a significant structural or mechanical component, using the design technologist’s application of their significant depth and breadth of knowledge of theoretical polymers, product and processes.
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 Determine stress or strain requirements of product from product end-use specifications
  • 1.3 Determine required physical properties (size, shape and density) of product from product end-use specifications
  • 1.4 Determine environmental requirements (physical, chemical and radiation) of product from product end-use specifications
  • 1.5 Identify how component fits with entire product from product end-use specifications
  • 1.6 Develop mechanical design brief and verify with relevant stakeholders and personnel

2.

  • 2.1 Select material or combination of materials with appropriate physical properties to meet product specifications
  • 2.3 Select material or combination of materials with appropriate radiation resistance properties to meet product specifications
  • 2.4 Arrange for compounding and testing of possible materials to ensure product will meet specifications
  • 2.5 Determine relevant properties of selected material or shortlisted materials from materials knowledge

3.

  • 3.1 Calculate size and shape or profile of component to meet design brief
  • 3.3 Liaise with product developer or production to ensure efficiency in manufacture
  • 3.4 Suggest modifications to material or compound of materials to optimise result

4.

  • 4.1 Liaise with designers of other components to ensure end product will meet specifications
  • 4.3 Design suitable interfaces to meet end-use requirements
  • 4.4 Verify interface design meets end-use requirements without sacrificing integrity

5.

  • 5.1 Check internal consistency of design against product specifications
  • 5.3 Write accurate component specification based on final design
  • 5.4 Liaise with product developer or production team to write production specification and procedures
  • 5.5 Supervise manufacture and testing of prototypes or manufacturing trials
  • 5.6 Finalise specifications and manufacturing processes and complete all reports
  • 5.7 Ensure project records are complete and all required reports have been completed and submitted
  • 5.8 Archive records according to workplace procedures

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 meet job specifications to:
• design at least one polymer component to meet structural or mechanical requirements and product end-use specifications.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:
• all main processes and polymer materials
• impact of different polymer materials, their additives and the rheological, heat and other effects of processing on design of a new mechanical or structural component
• influence of component design on the operability of the process and the properties of the product
• factors affecting structural and mechanical properties of new component
• options for compounding changes to modify properties, including:
• stress or strain data of polymeric materials
• material creep or viscoelasticity, rheometric properties
• material strength
• environmental resistance (e.g. temperature, chemicals, ultraviolet and other radiation)
• options for changes to component shape and size to modify properties, including:
• stiffness or rigidity, deflection
• strength
• component trialling and testing procedures
• principles of operation of all relevant equipment and processes
• differentiating features of main processes, polymer materials and materials of construction of structural or mechanical components
• organisational procedures relevant to the work environment or job role
• 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 develop and communicate product specifications including formulae, and record and analyse trial data.\n• Reading skills to interpret required properties of product and workplace procedures.\n• Writing and oral communication skills to work with stakeholders on product development, and record and report on trial results and finalise product design and associated procedures.\nOther foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.'}

Prerequisite Units

Parent Qualifications

Related Units

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