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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Maintain specialised flexographic printing process
  2. Maintain specialised production process
  3. Tune and adjust machinery
  4. Troubleshoot machinery and material problems
  5. Conduct shutdown of production process

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

safely monitor production output and make necessary adjustments to maintain print quality on a flexographic machine while producing a complex print on TWO occasions (if possible using different substrates and, if possible, including at least two in-line processes) according to job specifications, enterprise procedures and work health and safety (WHS) guidelines.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.


Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

identify causes of reel wander and the print fault that results from the reel being run out of centre

identify causes of web breaking at the unwind unit, and possible faults in the unwind section that cause a web break

outline the difference between a ‘flying paster’ and ‘zero speed’ type reel-stand

outline WHS risks associated with rewinding and sheeting, and identify the safety feature in the delivery system for when the web jams up

identify causes of sheet cut-off wander

outline the effect of poorly adjusted nip rollers when rewinding and sheeting, and what happens if the plate lifts on the leading edge during a print run

describe the effect on printed product of a build-up of ink on the impression cylinder, and the cause of ink foaming in the ink tray

identify the effect of too much reducer in the ink

name the action that reduces doctor blade wear

describe why all solvents need to be removed from the final ink film

identify link between driers and set off and marking and the causes of UV ink drying

describe faults that cause substrate distortion

outline the effect in the chillers if the drying temperature is too low, and the effect of incorrect drying temperature on the finished product

describe the effect of eating or drinking near the machine when using UV inks

describe the need to frequently examine in-line components of the job

outline consistency checks for the punching unit

describe the result of excessive pressure on the slitters

outline safety features within the organisation that aid in maintaining effective production

outline the legal responsibility for removal of machine guards and/or disconnection of micro switches

describe the effect of inadequate communication within the work team on a flexographic printing machine

describe ramifications if machine guards are removed and/or micro switches are disconnected on a machine

outline other measurement, besides optimum solid ink density, to assess print quality

describe the most accurate method of checking register during a production run

outline the need to take immediate action when production problems are anticipated, and action taken to eliminate further processing of unacceptable printed product

outline the result to the substrate if relative humidity is increased in the press room, and how to care for a newly delivered substrate to the press room

describe the process for waste sorting and the advantage of keeping reusable waste

list industry standards to enhance effective communication with clients, and procedures clients should follow to approve a printed product

identify times when it is necessary to call service personnel to correct a machine problem

outline enterprise procedures in place to report any machine operating problems, and what happens if correct shutdown procedures are not followed with fellow workers

describe advantages of proper labelling and storage of excess inks and materials

describe the process for clear labelling of printed product prior to removal from the press room

outline operations required for printed reels after they are removed from the printing machine, and how to store printed jobs after they are removed from the printing machine

outline use of completed records in the final analysis of the job, and benefits of comprehensive records when considering production of future jobs

identify machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task, where are they kept and information included in these documents.