The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

operate either a reel or sheet-fed flexographic press ensuring an efficient production flow that maintains product quality standards. Any production problems are rectified with minimum downtime. The machine is correctly shut down and cleaned according to OHS guidelines

demonstrate use of computerised control, monitoring and data entry systems if available and appropriate

demonstrate an ability to find and use information relevant to the task from a variety of information sources

produce TWO basic flexographic printing jobs (if possible including at least ONE in-line process) according to job specifications, enterprise procedures and the Performance Criteria

evidence for assessment may be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone or through an integrated assessment activity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

assessment may take place on the job, off the job or a combination of these. Off the job assessment must be undertaken in a closely simulated workplace environment

flexographic press.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICPSU201C Prepare, load and unload reels and cores on and off machine

ICPSU202C Prepare, load and unload product on and off machine

ICPSU208C Operate and monitor machines (basic)

ICPPR211C Mount and proof flexographic plates for basic printing

ICPPR313C Set up for basic flexographic printing.

Required skills

OHS in relation to operating machinery such as safely switching off machinery before cleaning is started

communication of ideas and information by providing feedback to internal and external clients about printing, in-line processes and job specifications

collecting, analysing and organising information by collating details of job and machine specifications and printing processes to ensure efficient production

planning and organising activities by coordinating sequences for printing and wash-up

teamwork when communicating with work team members and workers involved in prior and subsequent processes to ensure efficient production

mathematical ideas and techniques by calculating consumables requirements

problem-solving skills by identifying print problems and correcting during print run

use of technology by using monitoring systems, understanding their output and feeding into production management systems

Required knowledge

reel transportation and delivery

OHS concerns that are there when loading and handling heavy reels

determining the printing side of the substrate

effect on the print of excessive tension on the unwinding reel

correct splicing of the web

sheet transportation and delivery

OHS factors that need to be considered when operating the sheet transportation and delivery systems

fanning the sheets before loading into the press

setting and check to be made to the double sheet detector during the print run

implications if the web is not spliced correctly

components that can be adjusted to ensure correct delivery

effect that excessive suction could have on the slow-down wheels

flexographic printing operations

frequency the quality of the product should be assessed

action that can taken if the print was filling in when printing

the effect dirt would have under the doctor blade on the print

doctor blade oscillation

action that can taken if the ink in the duct is foaming

signs of wear in the image area of the plate

in-line processes

OHS concerns for the in-line component of the press

frequency the in-line components of the job should be examined

quality control and problem solving

monitoring to ensure quality

precautions that should be taken to ensure that the rewound product is of consistent acceptable quality

identifying printed material that is not of an acceptable standard

marking of product that is deemed unacceptable by the operator

consultation if there was a problem with the print that was not able to be fixed by the operator

location of information concerning the correct operation of the machine

shut down and wash up the press

dangers that exist from solvents and solutions used to clean the inking system, plate and the press

methods that are used to ensure proper storage of the plates following printing

parts of the machine that should be thoroughly cleaned following the print run

components that are to be inspected for wear following the print run

records that are important for following or repeat prints

machine manuals and safety documentation that are relevant to this task and where they are kept and information that is included in these documents

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.

Routine may include:

routine within this context relates to the set up and production of print runs. The set up of equipment and production is straightforward and does not involve a significant amount of deviation from using standard equipment settings. In this sense, routine does not refer to a job that an individual might repeat on a regular basis.

Machines may include:

a range of stack, in-line and central impression flexographic printing machines with manual, semi-automated, fully automated or computerised process control.

Inks/coatings may include:

range of standard inks commonly used in 4-colour printing.

In-line processes may include:

minor processes that are integral to this competency can include basic in-line operations such as perforating, numbering, date coding, slitting that do not in themselves constitute another defined unit of competency. Where a major in-line process is defined as a separate competency (eg flat-bed cutting, folding) it should be assessed as such.

Colour matching systems may include:

use of visual colour assessment and densitometry to match basic standard colours under controlled lighting conditions.

Design may include:

4 colours, simple graphics and text. Minor variation in registration and position.

Substrate types may include:

range of substrates within the major categories of paper, pressure sensitive material, board, corrugated board, plastics and related films, or metal.

Substrate handling may include:

wide or narrow reel or large or small sheet handling systems.