The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. In particular, assessors should look to see that the candidate:
interprets test methods/procedures accurately
prepares and tests samples/test-pieces in accordance with specified methods
performs calibration checks (if required)
safely operates test equipment/instruments to enterprise standards and/or manufacturer's specifications
applies basic knowledge of mechanical properties of materials to interpret gross features of data and make relevant conclusions
identifies atypical results, such as 'out of normal' range or an artefact
traces and sources obvious causes of an artefact
communicates problem(s) to a supervisor or outside service technician
records and communicates results in accordance with enterprise procedures
maintains security, integrity and traceability of samples, test-pieces, test data/results and documentation.
Underpinning knowledge
Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:
mechanical principles and concepts underpinning the test/procedure, such as:
matter, interatomic and intermolecular forces, states of matter
mass, weight, forces, pressure, energy
cohesive/adhesive forces, friction, slip resistance
elasticity, hardness, ductility, malleability, strength of materials, elastic limit, elastic moduli, ultimate stress
electrical concepts, including electric field, voltage, current, resistance, AC/DC)
use of instruments for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis
purpose of test(s)
metrology techniques underpinning test/procedure
principles and concepts related to equipment/instrument operation and testing
function of key components of the equipment/instrument
effects on test of modifying equipment/instrument variables
sample preparation procedures
basic equipment/method troubleshooting procedures
use of calibration procedures
calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision
enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements
relevant health, safety and environment requirements.
Assessment context and methods
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of test data/results obtained by the candidate over a period of time to check accuracy, consistency and timeliness of results
review of test records and workplace documentation completed by the candidate
observation of candidate conducting a range of mechanical tests and sample preparation procedures
feedback from peers and supervisors
oral or written questioning of mechanical principles and concepts, test methods and enterprise procedures.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.
Interdependent assessment of unit
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
PMLDATA400A Process and interpret data.
Resource implications
Resources may include:
standard laboratory equipped with appropriate test equipment/instruments, standards and materials
enterprise procedures and standard methods.
This competency in practice
Construction materials
A technical assistant is responsible for compressive strength testing of concrete cylinders. Typically, there are 20 to 30 to be tested each day. On arrival in the morning the assistant records the maximum and minimum temperatures of the curing tanks, locates the particular cylinders to be tested and removes them from the tanks. He/she dries each cylinder, weighs it and measures its diameter and length using a comparator gauge. The ends are checked for excessive roughness and non-parallelism. He/she then starts the compression test machine and checks that the load pacer is set to the correct loading rate. He/she places a rubber cap on the finished end of each cylinder in turn and places it centrally on the platen of the load frame. The assistant closes the protective screen, applies load at the specified rate until failure occurs, and records the maximum load. After the cylinder has failed, the assistant removes it from the platen and checks for invalid failure modes. When this occurs (eg. a shear failure) he/she puts the cylinder aside for further investigation. Any debris is removed from the platen and the next cylinder is tested. When all cylinders have been tested, the assistant cleans away any material left on the compression machine and switches it off. He/she enters all the data in into the laboratory information management system (LIMS) which calculates the unit mass and ultimate compressive strength of each cylinder. Finally, the assistant reviews the data for unusual or unexpected results that may indicate an error.
Manufacturing
A technician is asked to test a new polymeric material that is to be used to manufacture children's toys. The technician makes several representative test pieces and measures the elastic properties of the polymer as well as the durability of the polymer to flex many times without cracking. Because the polymer is to be used in a toy, the technician also dispatches samples of the polymer for chemical testing by a consulting laboratory to determine whether any toxic monomer could leach out if a child sucked the toy.
Key Competencies
The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Collecting, analysing and organising information | Communicating ideas and information | Planning and organising activities | Working with others and in teams | Using mathematical ideas and techniques | Solving problems | Using technology |
Level 2 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 2 | Level 2 |