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 a reel-fed flexographic press ensuring an efficient 3 or more colour production flow that maintains product quality standards. Any production problems are anticipated and 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

monitor production output and make necessary adjustments to maintain print quality on a flexographic machine whilst producing a complex print on TWO occasions (if possible using different substrates and if possible including at least TWO in-line processes) 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:

ICPPR413C Set up for complex flexographic printing

ICPPR314C Produce complex flexographic printed product.

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

collecting, analysing and organising information by identifying and recording specialised production practices

planning and organising activities by adjusting the production process to achieve specialised printing requirements

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 and personnel requirements to meet production schedules

problem-solving skills by adjusting machinery settings to determine the required tolerances to meet specialised requirements

use of technology by using machinery to produce specialised flexographic printed product

Required knowledge

causes of reel wander

causes of the web breaking at the unwind unit

difference between a "flying paster" and "zero speed" type reel-stand

print fault that would result from the reel being run out of centre

possible faults in the unwind section could that cause a web break

OHS risks associated with rewinding and sheeting

safety feature that is in the delivery system if the web jams up

causes of sheet cut-off wander

effect of poorly adjusted nip rollers when rewinding and sheeting

result if the plate lifts on the leading edged during a print run

effect on printed product of a build-up of ink on the impression cylinder

cause of ink foaming in the ink tray

effect of too much reducer in the ink

action that reduces wear of the doctor blade

need for all solvents to be removed from the final ink film

link between driers and set off and marking

causes of UV ink drying

substrate to distortion

effect in the chillers if the drying temperature was too low

effect of incorrect drying temperature on the finished product

effect of eating or drinking near the machine when using UV inks?

need to frequently examine the in-line components of the job

consistency checks to be made of the punching unit checked

result of excessive pressure on the slitters

safety features within the organisation that aid in maintaining effective production

legally responsibility for the removal of machine guards and/or disconnection of micro switches

effect of inadequate communication within the work team on a flexographic printing machine

ramifications if machine guards are removed and/or micro switches are disconnected on a machine

other measurement besides optimum solid ink density that can be measured to assess print quality

most accurate method of checking register during a production run

need to take immediate action when production problems are anticipated

action that is taken to eliminate further processing of unacceptable printed product

result to the substrate if the relative humidity is increased in the press room

procedure to care for a newly delivered substrate to the press room

waste sorting

advantage of keeping reusable waste

industry standards that can be applied to enhance effective communication with the client

necessary procedures that the client should follow to "OK" a printed product

need to call service personnel to correct a machine problem

enterprise procedures that are in place to report any machine operating problems

result if correct shutdown procedures were not followed

correct shutdown procedures conducted with fellow workers

advantages that result from proper labelling and storage of excess inks and materials

clear labelling of printed product prior to removal from the press room

further operations that are required for printed reels upon removal from the printing machine

storing of the printed job after removal from the printing machine

use of completed records the final analysis of the job

benefits of comprehensive records when considering the production of future jobs

machine manuals, safety and other documentation that are relevant to this task and where are they 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.

Specialised may include:

specialised within this context relates to the set up and production of print runs that involve new products, or a new mix of substrates and inks that requires a certain amount of problem solving and experimentation with the substrate and press settings. The set up of equipment and production involves the development of new set up and production approaches based on solving technical problems arising from new product or equipment combinations.

Inks/coatings may include:

range of inks commonly used in 4 or more colour printing, including standard and special colours.

Machines may include:

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

Colour matching systems may include:

use of viscosity controls, densitometers and spectrophotometry.

Design may include:

4 or more colours, complex graphics and text. Critical "tight" registration, fit and position, registration should be at least that required for four-colour process work.

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.

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 and narrow reel delivery systems.