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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 lithographic 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:

operate a lithographic press using an efficient, specialised production flow that maintains product quality standards, including rectifying production problems with minimum downtime, and cleaning and shutting down the machine according to work health and safety (WHS) guidelines

monitor production output and make necessary adjustments to maintain print quality on a lithographic machine while producing a specialised print on TWO occasions (if possible using different types and sizes of substrates) according to job specifications, enterprise procedures and the performance criteria.

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 WHS concerns when operating the reel transportation system

explain what can cause the reel to wander

explain what can cause the web to break at the unwind unit

describe the difference between a ‘lying paster’ and ‘zero speed’ type reel-stand

list print faults that can result from the reel being run out of centre

outline possible faults in the unwind section that can cause a web break

identify WHS concerns of operating the sheet transportation system

describe the result of worn suckers at the feeder suction head

describe sheet detection types on this machine

describe the amount of movement the sheet should have when being registered by the side lay

explain what causes a miss-register of the sheet at the feeder

outline visible signs of the sheet being registered in the feeder

explain how gripper malfunction can affect sheet control and transfer

describe when sheet transfer mechanisms require adjusting

outline what can cause the feeder stack to become uneven

describe the result of the feeder stack being loaded unevenly

explain how unevenness of the feeder stack can be rectified

identify WHS risks associated with rewinding and sheeting

describe a safety feature in the delivery system for when the web jams up

explain why a sheet cut-off might wander

outline the effect of poorly adjusted nip rollers when rewinding and sheeting

describe further operations required for printed reels on removal from the printing machine

explain how the printed job should be stored after removal from the printing machine

explain the need to label each printed reel

outline the effect machine speed has on sheet delivery

explain the advantage of spraying moving sheets with anti-set off powder in delivery

identify items in delivery that cause marking of the printed image

describe remedial steps to eliminate marking of the printed image

describe the function of a sheet de-curler fitted to the delivery of some machines

provide a list of faults from incorrectly set grippers in the transfer section of a machine

describe what can happen if the plate develops a crack at the grip edge during a print run

outline the effect of a sticky blanket surface

list print faults from the blanket not being tensioned correctly

explain the cause of blanket packing creep during printing

describe the effect of ink build-up on the impression cylinder on the printed product

explain what can cause ink to lie back in the duct

explain what can cause ink stripping on the inking rollers

describe print faults that result from excessive use of fountain solution on the plate

demonstrate knowledge of the recommended pH range for fountain solutions

explain what can cause conductivity of the fountain solution to change over an eight-hour shift

identify problems that can be caused by excessive conductivity of the fountain solutions

explain risks of eating or drinking near the machine when using UV inks

describe link between driers and set off and marking

explain what causes UV ink to dry

explain what can cause the substrate to blister

outline the effect in the chillers if the drying temperature is too low

describe the effect of incorrect drying temperature on the finished product

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

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

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

identify who is held legally responsible for removal of machine guards and/or disconnection of micro switches

describe the disadvantage of using a closed looped system for automatic control of the printed product

list alternative measurement, besides optimum solid ink density, to assess print quality

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

explain the need to take immediate action when production problems are anticipated

outline what to do to eliminate further processing of unacceptable printed product

explain how a stack of paper is affected if the relative humidity is increased in the press room

explain the procedure to care for a newly delivered skid of paper to the press room

explain why waste should be sorted

list advantages of keeping reusable waste

list industry standards to enhance effective communication with clients

describe the necessary procedures clients should follow to approve a printed product

outline when to call service personnel to correct a machine problem

describe enterprise procedures in place to report any machine operating problems

outline the result if correct shutdown procedures are not followed

explain the need for correct shutdown procedures conducted with fellow workers

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

explain the use of completed records in final analysis of the job

outline the benefits of comprehensive records when considering production of future jobs

locate machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task, and outline included information.