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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. Prepare work area and equipment
   • Work area is made clean and functional prior to commencement of work
   • All equipment is inspected to ensure it is functional and, where necessary, appropriate remedial action is taken prior to commencement of work
   • Appropriate coating trough is selected, ensuring it is free of nicks and burrs
2. Prepare screen
   • Screen is selected according to job specifications
   • Chemicals are applied and removed according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements and manufacturer or supplier specifications
   • Tension of screen mesh is checked for suitability according to job specifications
3. Select emulsion
   • Emulsion is selected according to requirements for ink type, print resolution, substrate, mesh type and machine type
   • Emulsion is checked for expiry date and appropriate action taken
   • Emulsion is prepared according to WHS requirements and manufacturer or supplier specifications
   • Emulsion is applied and dried according to manufacturer or supplier specifications
4. Process coated screen
   • Image films are appropriately positioned onto prepared screen and positioned in cleaned, prepared and appropriate exposure device
   • Light source is positioned according to manufacturer or supplier specifications
   • Exposure is calculated and stencil exposed according to manufacturer or supplier specifications
   • Exposed screen is removed from vacuum frame exposure device
   • Exposed screen is washed out after positive removal according to WHS requirements and manufacturer or supplier specifications
   • Processed stencil or screen is inspected for flaws and scum
5. Dry stencil
   • Processed stencil is dried according to manufacturer or supplier specifications
   • Backing sheet is carefully removed and stencil checked for full adhesion
6. Block out screen
   • Backing sheet is carefully removed and stencil checked for full adhesion
   • Stencil is inspected for flaws, scum and orientation
   • Pinholes are spotted out with suitable filler and taped according to ink type and job specifications
7. Store screen
   • Prepared screen is labelled according to enterprise procedures
   • Prepared screen is stored in clean, dry environment according to manufacturer or supplier specifications

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

prepare TWO different direct screens and TWO direct emulsion stencils using manual coating and exposure techniques according to manufacturer and job specifications, enterprise procedures and work health and safety (WHS) requirements.

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

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Knowledge Evidence

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

explain the significance of the mesh count

explain the effect that screen tension has on emulsion coating

explain how to determine the emulsion suitable for the job

explain the significance of good housekeeping in the preparation of the work area and equipment

describe the effect that the coating trough edge has on emulsion coating

explain the requirements for choosing emulsion for a particular job

explain the reasons for checking the expiry date of emulsions

determine the maximum temperature at which the emulsion can be dried

explain the need to have good vacuum pressure in the vacuum frame

outline the process for selecting the light source position

explain the formula used to calculate exposure time

explain the effects of overexposure and underexposure

explain how the optimum exposure time is determined

describe the effect on exposure that a white or coloured mesh has

determine how the screen is washed out properly

identify the characteristics that determine a good and bad stencil

explain why the screen is dried before blocking out

explain what determines the type of filler used for blocking out

explain the reasons for spotting pinholes and taping the screen

determine the WHS requirements for UV exposure light

explain the means by which stored screens are able to be identified at a later date

identify required manuals, safety and other documentation and briefly outline the relevant information in each source.

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