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 evaluate fluid power systems both automatic and non-automated for safety, economy and fitness for purpose, including selection of components.

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

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

determine parameters and context of evaluation task

determine WHS and regulatory requirements, risk management and organisational procedures

investigate and review sustainability implications, features and functions of fluid power systems and components

identify fluid power principles and techniques analysis techniques, software and software validation techniques

evaluate fluid suitability, compatibility and treatment, features and functions of hydraulic and pneumatic components and systems, digital fluid and electrical/electronic control elements

report and document results.

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:

determining parameters and context of fluid power systems

identifying WHS and regulatory requirements

identifying risk management and organisational procedures

investigating and reviewing sustainability implications, features and functions of fluid power systems and components

identifying fluid power principles and techniques, analysis techniques, including use of software and software validation techniques

evaluating fluid suitability, compatibility and treatment, features and functions of hydraulic and pneumatic components and systems both automated and non-automated, digital fluid and electrical/electronic control elements

reporting and documenting results of scoping, principles and techniques identification, evaluation of applications, calculations, component and system layouts, functional diagrams and fluid power process and control signal diagrams

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

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

availability of professional and technical assistance

current options and trends in performance analysis software, including underpinning program techniques and software validation techniques

common applications for pneumatics and hydraulics

comparative advantages of fluid power over mechanical and electrical power for particular applications

characteristics and properties of pneumatic and hydraulic fluids and relative compressibility of air and hydraulic fluid

applications and selection criteria for mineral, synthetic and fire-resistant fluids and compatibility of fluids with system materials

fluid power fundamental principles and calculations for system components, including:

conservation of energy

energy measurement and units

energy forms

hydraulics fundamentals, such as pressure, temperature and flow rate relative to actuator force

pneumatic fundamentals, such as gas laws, pressure difference and flow rate, and flow to atmosphere

features and functions and selection criteria of fluid power components in applications, including:

pumps

valves electrical circuits and control elements actuators

accumulators

compressors (pneumatics)

reservoirs

gauges and instrumentation

hoses, pipes, filters and fittings

types and requirements for fluid and electrical circuits maintenance requirements for fluid power systems

methods of circuit presentation, standard symbols, circuit sequence and signal condition diagrams for multi-actuator circuits

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.

Hydraulic applications

Hydraulic applications may include:

mobile vehicles and plant

equipment for moving and positioning heavy loads

industrial machinery (e.g. presses for punching, drawing and forging)

industrial and mobile braking systems

Pneumatic applications

Pneumatic applications may include:

transfer mechanisms for moving and positioning light loads

medium load clamping and stamping operations

compressed air distributed systems

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

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

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 a particular fluid power system task