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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify sewing machine equipment controls and procedures
  2. Work order or sample is checked to identify sewing specifications
  3. Set up and control sewing machine operations
  4. Maintain quality requirements
  5. Finish and dispatch work

Required Skills

This unit covers the competency to use sewing machines for production of soft furnishings mattresses and bases and upholstered furniture

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Identify sewing machine equipment controls and procedures

Job requirements are identified from work instructions

OHampS requirements including ergonomic criteria and personal protection needs are observed throughout the work

Equipment components equipment condition and controls are identified

Operating procedures are checked to identify any approved adjustments

Equipment operations and production procedures are identified

The process for obtaining materials and moving products to the next process is identified

Prepare for work

Work order or sample is checked to identify sewing specifications

Required materials tools and equipment are assembled

Materials and equipment are inspected and any faults are identified and reported

Work sequence is planned to suit job and materials are laid out

If required naps pattern direction and face side of materials are identified

Components are matched and secured with tacking pins or adhesives as required

Any required supplementary equipment is identified for routine lubrication and adjustments

Set up and control sewing machine operations

Sewing machine is set up and adjusted

Sewing operation is according to workplace procedures and material characteristics

Required product quality and outputs are maintained

Maintain quality requirements

Machining process is monitored and conditions which may affect work quality are reported

Authorised changes in operating procedures are implemented

Finish and dispatch work

Completed work is

checked for required quality

finished as required

repaired where applicable

moved to the next process

Material which is able to be reused is collected and stored

Equipment and work area clean up and waste management are completed following workplace procedures

Workplace records are completed as required

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competency for this unit This is an integral part of the assessment of competency and should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement

Critical Aspects of Evidence

Apply safe handling practices for equipment products and materials including personal protective equipment

Identify and operate three types of industrial sewing machines as identified in the Range of Variables

Set up sewing machine for operations and monitor quality of output

Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information

Follow work instructions operating procedures and inspection practices to

prevent damage to goods equipment or products

maintain required production output and product quality

minimise the risk of injury to self or others

Work effectively with others

Modify activities to cater for variations in workplace contexts and environment

Identify safe handling of equipment products and materials

Underpinning Knowledge

The types characteristics uses and limitations of sewing machines

Characteristics of materials used and finished products

Safety and environmental aspects of sewing machine operations

Quality systems and standards

Workflow requirements for sewing process

Operation of work systems and industrial sewing equipment

Causes of faults and repair methods

Procedure for reporting damaged or imperfect products or interruptions to workflow

Underpinning Skills

Information Collect organise and understand information related to work orders basic plans and safety procedures

Communication Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications coordination of work with site supervisor other workers and customers and the reporting of work outcomes and problems

Planning Plan and organise activities including the preparation and layout of the worksite and the obtaining of equipment and materials to avoid any back tracking workflow interruptions or wastage

Teamwork Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity

Mathematical ideas and techniques Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements and estimate material requirements

Solve problems Use prechecking and inspection techniques to anticipate sewing problems avoid reworking and avoid wastage

Use of technology Use the workplace technology related to the sewing of materials including tools equipment and measuring devices

Resource Implications

Appropriate industrial sewing machines work orders operating procedures materials and threads

Method of Assessment

Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts

Assessment should be by direct observation of tasks and questioning on underpinning knowledge

Assessment should be conducted over time and will generally be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

Context of Assessment

Assessment may occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process equipment materials work instructions and deadlines


Range Statement

The Range Statement provides advice to interpret the scope and context of this unit of competency, allowing for differences between enterprises and workplaces. It relates to the unit as a whole and facilitates holistic assessment. The following variables may be present for this particular unit:

Sewing specifications

Sewing specifications include: required materials, threads and additional work features; seam and stitch specifications, and any special stitch requirements and allowances; shape characteristics and special requirements; needles, attachments and ancillary equipment and quality requirements

Sewing products

Sewing products include: top stitching, gathering, piping, braid, fringe, flange cords, straight fabric lengths, padded material, loose covers

Sewing processes

Sewing processes may include: hemming, seams, machine tacking, gathering, multiple-layer sewing and straight or zig zag sewing

Unit context

OH&S requirements may include legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes and local safe operating procedures or equivalent

Work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements

Work requires individuals to demonstrate some discretion, judgement and problem solving skills in the set up and operation of machines. This may be demonstrated either individually or in a team environment

Machines

Machines may include, but are not limited to: single or multi-needle flat bed, overlocker, blind hemming, gathering, flange, bar tacking, tape edging

Sewing machine set up and adjustment

Sewing machine set up and adjustment includes: thread machine and wind bobbin as required, set required tensions, select required machine settings, and test operations for work order requirements

Materials

Materials to be machined may include but are not limited to: plain

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices

Information and procedures

Machine manufacturers’ specifications and operational procedures

Workplace procedures relating to the setting and operation of machinery

Work instructions, including job sheets, plans, drawings and designs

Workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication

The employee completes quality inspection of own work