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.

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

It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

mould functions as intended

mould allows for efficient fabrication of product.

Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require the fabrication of suitable moulds using appropriate techniques.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Method of assessment

A single assessment event is not appropriate. On-the-job assessment should be included as part of the assessment process wherever possible. Where assessment occurs off the job, judgement must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways, including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

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:

using computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) applications

using hand skills

interpreting drawings

operating a range of machine (e.g. computer numeric control (CNC) and power routers)

developing templates (e.g. for hand moulds)

communicating with relevant personnel

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

finishing resins

tooling materials

tooling resins

parting lines

design criteria/brief

reverse engineering

shrinkage

cure values

correct release agent

thermal expansion

open/closed mould (e.g. flange width and draft)

resin transfer moulding (RTM) - metal vs composite mould

closed mould (e.g. A/B side, bag it and silicon blanket)

corners

undercuts

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.

Procedures

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:

all work instructions

standard operating procedures

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

product drawings and/or specifications

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations

Requirements of final product

Requirements of final product may be determined from various sources, including:

drawings

product specifications

customer requests

descriptions of required use of product

Mould features

Mould features include:

relief,

parting lines

efficient lay-up

Suitability of plug

Suitability of plug includes:

release angles

parting lines

Prepare plug

Prepare plug includes:

cleaning

repairing surface blemishes

applying release systems

Detail mould

Detail mould includes:

buff

fill

get ready for production

Routine faults

Typical routine faults may include:

gel coat sag

slow curing rates

blistering

wrinkles

pinholes

brush marks

poor surface finish

Non-routine faults

Non-routine faults, which may have multiple causes, may include:

release agents failure

mould release failure

warping or cracking after moulding

Typical process and product problems

Typical process and product problems may include:

structural strength, rigidity and stability of the tooling

dimensional accuracy of the tooling

allowances in the design for shrinkage, deformations and alterations in the process from tooling to mould to finished composite product

placement of flanges, closures, fitments, supports, struts and stiffeners

variations in materials and/or contamination of materials

Logs and reports

Logs and reports may include:

paper or electronic based

verbal reports

items found which require action

Appropriate action

Appropriate action includes:

determining problems needing action

determining possible fault causes

rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility

following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence