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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. Evaluate, select and prepare inks and additives
  5. Set up machine for specialised relief 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, evaluating and adjusting MUST include EITHER:

unwind and rewind reels

webbing procedure and web control systems

splicing/joining reels

print web viewing devices

folders and sheeters

set off / marking prevention devices

OR

feeder and delivery sections

sheet pick-up and transportation system

transfer and control system

set off / marking prevention devices


Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

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

set up reel- or sheet-fed platen, cylinder or rotary printing machines for specialised print jobs including conducting a proof run and adjusting settings to ensure production speeds are attained

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 important that job specifications are read and properly understood

discuss production problems that might occur if job specifications are not read and properly understood

name the person to discuss any production problems with

outline the importance of printing plate hardness

list faults that may be detected on new plates

identify type of solvents used on photopolymer plates

define V-block mounting

explain how V-block mounting is achieved

discuss the purpose of binding plates after mounting

list checks to perform prior to cylinder installation

explain precautions to ensure plate/cylinders are not damaged during installation

list WHS precautions for preparing inks and additives

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

describe any special end-use requirements that may be necessary

discuss additives and their use in inks

explain the use of a spectrophotometer to assess colour of an ink

outline the formula for calculating correct quantity of lithographic ink

describe the print fault likely if excessive driers are mixed into the ink

identify precautions to minimise waste when preparing the ink

explain shelf life of most inks

discuss conditions relevant to storage of inks and additives

describe conventions for labelling mixed inks

list major WHS concerns of setting up the machine

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

discuss the width of the contact stripe between two rollers when setting rollers

discuss how to determine the ink duct setting

explain the ideal ink duct sweep setting

outline recommended degrees shore hardness for forme rollers

name various types of ink drying/curing systems

explain the operation of the true inch function fitted to some machines

identify problems that may cause the machine to keep stopping

list necessary checks prior to engaging the impression

outline checks performed when running the machine

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

explain importance of communicating steps involved in operating the machine to other team members

identify aids available for testing the machine proof

explain what tests are necessary for an individual job

identify where testing should take place

describe the function of a polarisation filter in a densitometer

explain ideal conditions for inspecting the proof

explain the cause of a halo effect on the image

identify methods available to check and adjust ink colour and consistency

discuss adjustments that may cause mis-register

outline adjustments made to position the image laterally

outline adjustments made to position the image circumferentially

describe the effect of changing the colour sequence on the final colour cast

explain the difference between mechanical and optical dot gain

explain the cause of excessive mechanical dot gain

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

discuss in-line processes used in specialised pad printing

identify machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task and where they are kept, and describe the information in them.

For reel systems only

describe how to determine position of the reel

discuss what happens if brake tension is not set correctly

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

outline the function of nip rollers

discuss what happens if the web is not spliced correctly

explain how the web is controlled in the rewind unit

outline the function of a slitter on a web machine

list problems attributable to a blunt knife when sheeting

list the main reason for blistering on a heatset machine

explain how the drying unit cures the ink

For sheet systems only

list the major work health and safety (WHS) concerns of setting up the sheet transportation system

explain the cause of more than one sheet being picked up in the feeder

explain why accurate feeder set up is essential

describe what determines position of the sheet prior to being transferred to the printing unit

outline how to determine which front lays to use

identify 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

identify the most important WHS precaution to observe when setting up the delivery

List WHS precautions for removing sheets from the delivery

explain the cause of sheets being delivered incorrectly

outline necessary adjustments if changing from lightweight to heavyweight stocks

explain what determines sheet release into the delivery

identify problems from excessive use of anti-set off spray powder

explain what causes printed sheets to set off in the delivery

describe how to reduce the possibility of set off in the delivery

explain how air blast can assist sheet delivery

explain how much packing is required in the tympan

explain how the level of printing pressure is determined

explain the ideal condition of the tympan

discuss how to achieve the correct top sheet tension when fitting a new tympan

identify print faults that can occur if the tympan is not tensioned correctly

discuss the need to use visual aids on the printed sheets

explain the procedure to lengthen print length on this type of press

explain the procedure to shorten print length on this type of press

explain the importance of keeping machine frames and unit slides clean

list WHS precautions for installing printing cylinders in the machine

explain how to determine the optimum print sequence

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

list WHS precautions for webbing up the machine

discuss remedial steps to take if there is a possibility of the ink marking in the rewind sheet delivery system on a sheet-fed machine