This competency is typically performed by advanced operators applying knowledge of materials, product purpose and processes to the operation of injection moulding equipment to produce product conforming to requirements. It also requires using a range of well developed skills requiring some discretion and judgement to recognise and resolve a range of problems.
The operator will:
start up the injection moulding machine
check settings and adjustments of equipment
monitor equipment operation
make appropriate adjustments to correct materials, equipment or process variations
solve injection moulding equipment, material and process problems, seeking guidance where necessary or appropriate.
This unit does not include die setting - see PMBPREP304C Set a die.
This competency covers the operation and adjustment of injection moulding processes and the solving of routine problems.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
This unit of competency has the prerequisite of PMBPROD210B Operate injection moulding equipment.
Employability Skills
The required outcomes described in this unit contain applicable Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification(s) in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
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 this training package.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
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.
Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in PMBPROD210 Operate injection moulding equipment, it may be co-assessed with this unit.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
identify critical materials properties and injection moulding process variables in relation to the process requirements and the end product
make adjustments to the process as required
identify and take appropriate action on problems and potential problems.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
the process runs consistently and smoothly, with the minimum need for human intervention
all safety procedures are always followed.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on an industrial injection moulding machine(s) equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
by using an appropriate, industrial injection moulding machine requiring demonstration of start up, operation and shut down procedures
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems
by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through 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. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement 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.
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.
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.
Application of knowledge of the materials, equipment and process sufficient to recognise material and equipment conditions which may lead to out of specification production. For example, PVC easily shear heats and degrades when left too long at normal processing temperatures. Therefore particular care is needed when processing and purging PVC.
Knowledge of organisaation procedures, quality requirements at each production stage and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and work standards.
Application of the knowledge of managing risks using the hierarchy of controls applied to the injection moulding process. Application of approved hazard control and safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and cleanup.
Skill to identify the range of possible causes of product faults.
Knowledge as a basis for solving processing and material problems, including:
characteristics of materials and behaviour in relation to heat, pressure, flow rate and time
function and operating principles of injection moulding equipment, machine components and ancillary equipment, including the mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic principles which effect machine operation
impact of machine speed, temperature, pressure, time during cycles on product quality and production output
phases of the injection moulding cycle and the effect of the key variables on product quality, in order to make appropriate adjustments to machine settings. For example, the packing phase is needed to compensate for the polymer shrinkage, inadequate packing pressure may cause voids, but excessive packing pressure may cause excessive residual stresses and or flash.
processing behaviour of those polymers which are moulded at the workplace
changes to materials at various stages of production
waste management and importance of non-conforming materials
impact of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to final product
polymer properties and their interactions with process conditions
relationships between polymer properties and process conditions
changes to polymer properties to better suit process requirements
product problems related to polymer properties
product problems related to process conditions
adjustments to process conditions to meet polymer and product requirements.
Competence also includes the ability to:
plan own work, including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
maintain output and product quality using appropriate instruments, controls, test information and readings
identify and describe own role and role of others involved directly in the injection moulding process
identify factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies
identify when the when assistance is required to solve problems.
Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets and complex machine control panels such as those displaying SPC information.
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms, quality assurance records and production reports.
Numeracy is required. For example, to determine that for a machine producing components weighing 100grams each at the rate of 2000 components per hour the output would be 200kg/hr. If 10% regrind is being blended, then 20kg/hr of supply is needed.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This competency applies to all injection moulding within the plastics and rubber industries. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the injection moulding process.
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.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
injection moulding machines (eg electrical, pneumatic, mechanical, electromechanical and hydraulic)
components of injection moulding machines (eg base, frame, feed hoppers and material supply mechanisms, barrel and screw plastification unit, injection units)
die/tool (eg pneumatic, or hydraulic actuation of cores, slides ejector systems)
additional equipment (eg chillers, die heating equipment, hopper driers, mixing hoppers, dehumidifying driers, air compressors, dosing machines, colour blending equipment and conveyors where they are integral to the operation of the injection moulder)
hand tools used in the injection moulding process
material loading equipment used for loading of raw materials
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
slip and fall (such as due to spilt granules)
temperature (eg due to heated barrel, nozzle and hot runner moulds)
hazardous materials (including decomposing polymer during start up and shut down)
moving equipment (eg moving moulds, robots and ancillary equipment)
manual handling hazards
equipment operations.
Problems
'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/a solution recorded in the procedures.
Typical routine faults include:
short mouldings
flash
sink marks
voids
burn marks
splay/splash marks/silver streaking
blistering
flow marks
poor surface finish
weld lines
poor colour dispersion
colour contamination
black spots
ejection damage.
Non-routine faults, which may have multiple causes include:
release problems
distortion of product upon ejection
warping or cracking after moulding
residual stresses
intermittent faults.
Typical process and product problems may include:
die/tooling problems, eg damage
equipment malfunction
variations in temperatures, pressures, speeds, times, and cushion position
variations in material properties and/or contamination of materials
variation in material flow rates
processing problems.
Appropriate action for problems outside of area of responsibility may be reporting to an appropriate person.
Appropriate action for solving problems within area of responsibility includes asking questions and seeking assistance from appropriate persons/sources.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
differences between actual and set temperatures
speeds (including injection speed, mould opening and closing speed and ejection speed)
hunt or sprue break positions
colour and uniformity
surface finish/appearance
tolerance for cushion position
times (including injection times and cycle time)
product weight and output rate
product integrity and general conformance to specification and quality sample.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Identify the most appropriate equipment to be used for production and upstream and downstream operations from production plan or request.
Identify and check materials required, including additives and regrind and their amounts or percentages.
Implement measures to control identified hazards in line with procedures and duty of care.
Identify requirements for materials, quality, production and equipment checks.
Identify process settings required for product.
Set process to required settings.
Check materials are correct.
Take appropriate action for non-conforming materials.
Set up date, batch and materials markings to specifications, as required.