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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to apply mechanical analysis techniques consistent with an analysis brief information, relevant standards and conventions.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

communicate, negotiate and review analysis brief and specification requirements with stakeholders

determine or confirm relevant scientific principles and analysis techniques, WHS and regulatory requirements

evaluate multiple solutions

investigate life cycle analysis and sustainability

plan, schedule and coordinate the analysis task

solve problems and make decisions with systems thinking for contingencies and constraints and continuous improvement

define analysis, specify and document and apply graphical techniques, modelling, mock-up or prototyping techniques

create and maintain adequate and accurate calculations and analysis process records

report and document, results and processes.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

communicating and negotiating with stakeholders and team

determining or confirming relevance of mechanical engineering scientific principles and analysis techniques, including principles of:

mechanics

fluid power

fluid dynamics

thermodynamics

electrical fundamentals

engineering materials, properties and processes

evaluating WHS and regulatory requirements, standards and codes of practice for relevance to analysis tasks

evaluating multiple solutions against analysis criteria, risk, sustainability and cost factors

applying life cycle design and sustainability parameters to analysis task

planning, scheduling and coordinating the analysis task

applying problem solving and decision making with systems thinking for contingencies and constraints and continuous improvement

specifying, documenting and applying graphical techniques, including modelling

undertaking or supervising mock-up or prototyping techniques, where required, to achieve solution

creating and maintaining adequate and accurate calculations and analysis process records

reporting and documenting results of investigations, application of principles and techniques, calculations, specifications, diagrams, CAD files, mock-ups or prototypes of designs

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

implications of life cycle design, fitness for purpose evaluation and sustainability for mechanical analysis process

mechanical engineering-related analysis processes and techniques to investigate, synthesise and develop proposals, evaluate feasibility against analysis criteria, and review and revise in consultation with stakeholders and team or support functional group

common model, mock-up and prototyping techniques relevant to mechanical engineering

systems thinking, problem solving and decision making, and continuous improvement methods

WHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards, risk management and registration requirements

sources of professional and technical assistance

procedures for planning, scheduling and coordination of analysis

hardware requirements of typical mechanical, fluid power, hydrodynamic and thermal applications

engineering scientific principles required for design analysis:

mechanical

fluid power

fluid dynamics

thermodynamics

electrical fundamentals

engineering materials, properties and processes

mechanical analysis calculation techniques

software for product planning and analysis, such as CAD, stress analysis and mould design, and project management

documentation and required information

prototyping options, including mock-ups, physical and virtual modelling, and rapid prototyping

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.

Mechanical engineering analysis

Mechanical engineering analysis may be required for a variety of reasons, including:

design of mechanical devices and plant

design or evaluation of significant modifications, process changes or improvements

sustainability issues relevant to plant, equipment or processes

static and dynamic analysis of loads, including the resulting stresses and deformations

fitness for purpose evaluation

installation and commissioning of plant and equipment

Planning processes

Planning processes may include:

establishing analysis parameters and criteria

contributing to the negotiation and advice process

preliminary planning, analysis investigations and costing

identifying analysis, development, prototyping activities and skills requirements

planning and scheduling analysis activities

improving, adjusting and rescheduling as required by emergency contingencies and constraints

Analysis process

Analysis as a systematic process includes:

establish analysis parameters and criteria

research, measurement, experimentation, and investigation

generating ideas

synthesis, problem solving and decision making, and addressing constraints

apply scientific principles, calculation and graphics, prototyping and mock-up techniques

evaluating solutions against analysis criteria

consultation, adjustments and agreement

finalise analysis and sign-off

Analysis criteria

Analysis includes relevant technical criteria and may also include criteria relating to:

function

manufacturability and maintainability

marketability

sustainability

cost constraints

ergonomics and anthropometrics and physiology

facilities, plant and skills available

contingencies and constraints minimisation

safety and risk

Sustainability

Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:

meeting all regulatory requirements

conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer

Life cycle analysis

Life cycle analysis can be used to improve sustainability of products and services. It may be applied to:

all aspects of manufacture of a single product

the entire operations of an organisation

a particular aspect of operations, such as environmental implications

Prototyping

Prototyping may include:

mock-ups

physical and virtual modelling with post-processing for computer numeric control (CNC) and rapid prototyping

Systems thinking

Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain

Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance

Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance may include:

technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic danger, such as:

high pressure

energised fluid vessels

high temperatures and heat energy capacity

wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage

professional support for technologies, such as:

specialist electric motor drives and controllers

specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials

special processes, foundry, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:

WHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

state and territory regulatory requirements

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to the mechanical engineering analysis task