The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This competency requires evidence of competent operation of OES which may be obtained either in a workplace or other suitable laboratory facility. The materials being tested should be relevant to the foundry industry.

This competency also requires evidence of competency in the selection of appropriate test methods for various scenarios and the interpretation of test results. The scenarios and test results should be relevant to the foundry industry and may be drawn directly from the workplace or may be simulated case studies.

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:

select appropriate test methods

obtain repeatable OES results

interpret test results for a foundry.

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

several scenarios requiring the selection of different test instruments have been completed successfully

reproducible test results can be obtained from OES testing across different samples requiring different sample preparation/test conditions.

Relationship to other units

This unit may be assessed concurrently with other relevant units.

Assessment method and context

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge. A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

in a foundry

in another suitable laboratory facility, using simulation for non OES evidence

by use of a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios

by a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment.

Resource implications

This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

identify relevant spectra.

communicate both with other technicians and also with shop floor operatives about technical matters

Write technical reports and production specifications

understand and interpret numeric data as well as manipulate test data in order to obtain the required information

calculate concentrations and dilutions

The mathematics relevant to the manipulation and interpretation of test data is also required.

A knowledge of the impact of chemical composition on the foundry process and product and what adjustments should be made, and how they can be made is also required.

Required knowledge:

Competence in this unit requires knowledge of the principles of operation, uses and limitations of:

Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) (otherwise known as Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES))

UV - Visible Spectrophotometry (UV Vis)

Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)

Gas Chromatography (GC)

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

Flame Photometry

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Traditional Wet Analysis

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.

Codes of practice/standards

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.

Context

This competency applies to metallurgical technicians working in a foundry who are responsible for determining the chemical composition of materials, products and work in progress and making recommendations as to what needs to be done to produce the required product.

The technician may undertake some sampling and testing themselves, and will also specify the sample requirements to be taken by an operator. The technician will be responsible for outsourcing required tests where the foundry does not have the test instrument or capability.

The technician will be responsible to interpret the test results regardless of where the test is done and determine what needs to be done to make the required product.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards. These may include:

ISO standards

ANZS

NATA requirements

Other relevant standards.

Tools and equipment

This unit of competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

routine laboratory equipment such as glassware

sampling equipment used in foundries

emission spectroscopy equipment.

Test data

Test data includes:

composition and other quantitative data

component identification and other qualitative data.

Appropriate test(s)

Appropriate tests include:

Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES)

UV - Visible Spectrophotometry (UV Vis)

Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)

Gas Chromatography (GC)

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

Flame Photometry

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Capacity

Capacity to undertake tests include:

possession of the appropriate test instrumentation

possession of the appropriate trained people with the available time

NATA registration if relevant

cost, turn around time and other relevant commercial factors

required infrastructure to undertake the test(s).

Capacity applies both to in house and out sourced test facilities.

Body

Selected body to undertake the test incudes:

university

TAFE college

commercial analytical firm

NATA approved facility

in house facility and personnel.

Required arrangements

Required arrangements include:

obtaining, labelling and transporting sample

contractual/work order or other requirements.

Prepare sample

Prepare sample includes:

taking representative sub samples

sample dissolution

sample dilution

readying the sample for the test.

Prepare instrument

Prepare instrument includes:

calibrating or checking calibration as appropriate

checking the adequacy of the supply of consumables

curve generation

setting machine conditions

checking machine function.

Actions

Actions to be taken include:

adjusting process conditions and set points

specifying additives and combinations of additives

adjusting processing times.