Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Required skills
communication skills to work with suppliers
planning and organising skills to:
select appropriate tools, equipment and materials
set up a workshop environment
problem-solving skills to correct OHS issues
literacy skills to interpret technical documentation
numeracy skills to:
cost materials
use numerical features of machinery
technical skills to:
choose appropriate stone for cutting
cut, sand and polish opals using correct technique
correct faults and defects
source materials
follow the procedures for stock management
service and test equipment
technology skills to set up and use production equipment.
Required knowledge
characteristics of opal gemstone structure
suitability of opal pieces for carving
opal carving process, including required equipment and consumables
procedures and equipment used in production cutting
where to locate and cost materials for production cutting
stock management requirements
safety issues associated with opal cutting and polishing machinery.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Machinery may include: | cabochon cutting machine cabochon pre-former diamond sintered wheel grinder faceting unit pre-former high speed sanding unit multi-blade trim saw pumice pre-polishing unit soft diamond wheel sanding and polishing unit spongy wheel sanding unit triplet slicing machine UV light box vibro tumbler. |
Consumables and adhesives may include: | #400 acid treated silicon carbide powder backing material blackening agent dopping wax or adhesive epoxy adhesive grinding wheels polishing powder (cerium oxide) polishing wheels (diamond or felt) red sealing wax rough opal sanding wheels (diamond or spongy) trim saw blades triplet slicing blades: 120, 140, 160 and 180 triplet tops UV adhesive water and electricity. |
Backing materials may include: | black jade black potch (best) boulder iron stone clear or transparent potch dark grey potch glass (triplet only) obsidian (black) vitrolite (triplet only). |
Stock management system may include: | avoiding cutting irregular sizes or shapes to minimise slow stock maintaining rough opal and consumable supplies regularly checking continuity of consumables with suppliers stocking popular sizes to meet new markets. |
Dopping techniques may include: | 5-minute epoxy glue aluminium or wooden dop sticks collapsible rack for holding dop sticks green or red sealing wax vacuum dopping wood glues. |
Standard millimetre sizes may require: | consistent accurate sizes no grinding marks or sanding marks on surface. |
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist