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 manufactured product design techniques consistent with a design brief, relevant standards and conventions. It includes working individually and as part of a team in accordance with organisational procedures.

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 design brief with stakeholders

determine or confirm scientific principles and design techniques, WHS and regulatory requirements, and design specification requirements

evaluate multiple solutions, materials and components, manufacturing processes, tooling and component supply chain for product

investigate life cycle design and sustainability, technical and professional assistance required

plan, schedule and coordinate the design task

select design components using design process and scientific principles

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

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

create and maintain adequate and accurate calculations and design 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

determining or confirming appropriate engineering and scientific principles for product or component design task

determining sustainability, WHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

evaluating multiple solutions for materials and components, manufacturing processes, tooling and component supply for product

investigating life cycle and sustainability of a design

evaluating requirement for technical and professional assistance

planning, scheduling and coordinating a design task

solving problems and making decisions with systems thinking for contingencies and constraints, and continuous improvement

specifying and documenting designs, including applying graphical techniques, modelling, mock-up or prototyping techniques

creating and maintaining adequate and accurate calculations and design 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:

sustainability implications of materials, product and processes, including consideration of life cycle analysis

manufactured product design processes and techniques

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

WHS and regulatory requirements, standards and risk assessment for design, and prototyping activities

sources of professional and technical assistance procedures for planning, scheduling and coordination of design

typical product design criteria

design calculation techniques

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

design process documentation, records and reports, including specifications and CAD graphics

typical materials and components used in manufacturing

tooling, plant and processes for particular products and materials

characteristics of cast, forged, machined and sheet metal components, moulded and extruded plastic components, and components made from other materials or by other processes

professional and technical assistance for product development

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.

Context of manufactured product design

The context for product design activity may include:

budget and market considerations

technological advantages/disadvantages of materials, equipment and suppliers

resources supply (e.g. materials, labour and skills)

sustainability issues relevant to design task (e.g. WHS, risk management, standards and codes of practice)

Planning processes

Planning processes may include:

establishing design parameters and design criteria

contributing to the negotiation and advice process

preliminary planning, design investigations and costing

identifying design, development, prototyping activities and skills requirements

planning and scheduling design activities

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

Design process

Designing as a systematic process includes:

establish design parameters and criteria

research, measurement, experimentation and investigation

generate ideas and develop proposals

synthesis, problem solving and decision making, and addressing constraints

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

evaluate solutions against design criteria

review and revision of design in consultation with stakeholders

finalise design and sign-off

Design criteria

Design criteria include:

function

aesthetics

manufacturability and maintainability

marketability

sustainability, including life cycle analysis

cost constraints on costs of design, development, tooling up, manufacture, marketing and distribution

ergonomics and anthropometrics and physiology

facilities, plant and skills available

safety and risk

Analysis

Analysis may include:

product and component performance requirements

assessment against manufacturing capability of organisation

failure mode effects and risk

static and dynamic analysis of loads

the stresses and deformations resulting

graphical and mathematical methods and software options

suitability of materials for purpose and manufacturing process

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 assessment

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

Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance

Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance may include:

technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, 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

industry codes of practice

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 design task

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

Product manufacturability

Design for manufacture includes consideration of manufacturing processes and plant, such as the use of group technologies. Manufacturability may be enhanced by concurrent product and process design.

Prototyping

Prototyping may include:

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