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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. Confirm specialised job specifications
  2. Plan and carry out specialised set-up
  3. Set up delivery systems
  4. Select and prepare inks and additives
  5. Set up machine for specialised lithographic printing
  6. Conduct specialised proof run
  7. Troubleshoot machinery and material problems

Range Statement

This section specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Delivery systems MUST include EITHER:

reel

OR

sheet

Setting up and adjusting MUST include EITHER:

set-up options for unwind and rewind reels

webbing procedures and web control system

splicing/joining reels

printed web viewing devices

folder and sheeter

set off / marking prevention devices

OR

feeder and delivery sections

sheet pick-up, transportation, control and transfer systems

set off / marking prevention devices


Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

set up either wide or narrow reel or sheet-fed lithographic printing machines for specialised print jobs; conduct a proof run and adjust settings to ensure production speeds are attained in minimum time with minimum wastage

set up a lithographic printing machine for a specialised job on TWO occasions using different substrates and sheet sizes if sheet-fed and including at least two in-line processes according to manufacturer’s and job specifications, enterprise procedures and the performance criteria.

find and use information relevant to the task from a variety of information sources

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:

explain why it is necessary that job specifications are read and properly understood

discuss production problems that could eventuate if job specifications are not read and properly understood

identify who to discuss any production problems with

outline the problem that can result from the plate cylinder not being cleaned prior to plate fitting

describe what happens if the plate is over tensioned during fitting

list faults that can result from a plate being under tensioned

For reel systems only

describe the need for accurate plate bending on a web-fed machine

explain how to determine position of the reel

describe the effect if brake tension is not set correctly

discuss the function of the ‘dancer’ roller on a web machine

outline how to determine position of the bustle wheels

explain what happens if the web is not spliced correctly

describe the operation of the particular web viewing device

explain how the web is controlled in the rewind unit

outline the function of a slitter on a web machine

discuss what causes the web to jam up in the folder

explain the need to disengage the folder if sheeting

list problems that attributable to a blunt knife when sheeting

outline the safety feature in the delivery system for when the web jams up

describe which fold is always made with the grain of the web

explain the type of folder that folds the web in half in the direction of the web grain

outline remedial steps to take if there is a possibility of ink marking in the folder

describe the main reason for having a silicone applicator on a web machine

explain the main reason for blistering on a heat set machine

explain what the oven evaporates from the ink

discuss the function of chill rollers on a web machine

For sheet systems only

describe work health and safety (WHS) factors to consider when setting up the sheet transportation and delivery systems

explain what causes more than one sheet to be picked up in the feeder

discuss the need for accurate feeder set up

describe how to determine position of the sheet prior to transfer to the printing unit

discuss how to determine which front lays to use

explain the type of substrate that requires additional front lays to be engaged

explain the need for additional front lays when printing this type of substrate

list the WHS precaution to observe when setting up the delivery

list WHS precautions for removing sheets from the delivery

explain what causes incorrect sheets delivery

outline necessary adjustments when changing from lightweight to heavyweight stocks

explain what determines sheet release into the delivery

list problems caused by excessive use of anti-set off spray powder

describe what might cause printed sheets to set off in the delivery

discuss how the possibility of set off in the delivery might be reduced

explain what can happen if there is excess vacuum on the slow-down wheels

list WHS precautions that must be observed when preparing inks and additives

describe the procedure used to lengthen print length on this type of press

discuss the procedure used to shorten print length on this type of press

outline considerations of deciding colour sequence

point out the visual aid on the plate that identifies ink colour to be used

discuss all WHS precautions for webbing up the machine

outline details to check to determine an ink’s suitability for the printing process

describe what special end-use requirements might be necessary

explain the reason for mixing additives in the ink

explain how a spectrophotometer can help assess ink colour

describe the formula for calculating correct quantity of lithographic ink

discuss the print fault that occurs if excessive driers are mixed into the ink

outline precautions to minimise waste when preparing ink

explain shelf life of most inks

discuss conditions relevant to storage of inks and additives

explain conventions for labelling mixed inks

list WHS factors for setting up the machine

describe checks made on the plate prior to fitting

explain how much plate packing is required

describe normal printing pressure required between plate and blanket

explain how to determine correct printing pressure between blanket and stock

explain the ideal blanket surface condition

describe how to achieve correct blanket tension when fitting a new blanket

describe print faults likely if the impression cylinder is not maintained

explain the order eccentric or concentric roller adjustments should be made in

explain what the width of the contact stripe between two rollers should be when setting the rollers

describe how to determine the ink duct setting

explain the ideal ink duct sweep setting

discuss recommended degrees shore hardness for bare back and conventional dampeners

describe what conductivity of the fountain solution should be

explain why it is important to constantly check conductivity of the fountain solution

explain how to change the amount of fountain solution across the plate surface

outline the need to adjust the fountain solution laterally

list reasons it might be difficult to engage the perfecting unit

list types of ink drying/curing systems

describe what the true inch function feature fitted to some machines does

list what may cause the machine to keep stopping

outline necessary checks prior to engaging the impression

describe checks performed when running the machine

describe the effect position of certain guards has on operation of the machine

explain how steps involved in operating the machine should be communicated to other team members

describe aids available for the testing of the machine proof

discuss where testing should take place

explain the function of a polarisation filter in a densitometer

describe ideal conditions for inspecting the proof

discuss why it is necessary to use visual aids on the printed sheets

describe the acceptable wet trap value range for lithographic inks

outline an indication of optimum solid ink density in the absence of a proof

explain the result of low solid ink density and excessive dot gain

describe available methods to check and adjust ink colour and consistency

list adjustments that may cause mis-register

list adjustments made to position the image laterally

list adjustments made to position the image circumferentially

list adjustments made to position the image diagonally

discuss the effect of changing colour sequence on the wet trap value

explain the difference between mechanical and optical dot gain

outline the cause of excessive mechanical dot gain

explain who has responsibility for the final say in the OK of the job

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