Required skills

Required skills include

designing and manufacturing glass apparatus systems

interpreting briefs including design requirements and cost

selecting appropriate grades of glass and components and preparing for use

applying basic theoretical knowledge and making relevant design conclusions

identifying atypical situations and taking appropriate action

communicating problems to either the supervisor or outside service technician

recording and reporting work results

following correct occupational health and safety OHS and principles of good laboratory practice GLP

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

design principles for glass apparatus

types of glass including special formula glass their properties and applications

incompatible glass types

glass to glass and glass to metal seals

theoretical and practical knowledge of glassworking methods and procedures including chemistry physics electrode sealing techniques and electrode placement in glass

basic theory of equipment operation and use for which design and manufacture is required

characteristics capabilities and limitations of glassblowing techniques

relevant health safety and environment requirements

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

design and manufacture glass apparatus systems

interpret a brief including design requirements and cost

prepare apparatus and system designs

incorporate appropriate design factors relevant to use requirements of apparatus

select appropriate grades of glass and components and prepare for use

apply basic theoretical knowledge of chemistry and physics and make relevant design conclusions

identify atypical situations and take appropriate action

communicate problems to either supervisor or outside service technician

record and report work results

follow correct OHS and principles of GLP

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

It is strongly recommended that assessment is conducted through observation over time The timeframe must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions Where this is not practical additional assessment techniques must be used

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSLA Perform glass coating grinding and finishing operations

MSL965002A Perform glass coating, grinding and finishing operations

MSLA Construct modify and maintain high vacuum systems

MSL965003A Construct, modify and maintain high vacuum systems.

Resources may include

access to a scientific glassblowing facility appropriate equipment materials and procedures

access to more than one workplace or simulated learning environment if the primary workplace or learning environment is unable to provide a suitable range of equipment

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

inspection of examples of glasswork and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

analysis of the candidates work records over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent work is obtained within required timelines

feedback from peers and supervisors

oralwritten questioning

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting

Manufacturing

A scientific glassblower who works for a town gas company has been requested by the research laboratory to design and manufacture a complex gas extraction train The equipment will be used to burn town gas under a range of conditions and analyse the exhaust gases by bubbling them through a number of gas extraction bottles The apparatus will be used around the plant and therefore it must be portable small and contained within a safety box in the event that there is an explosion in the apparatus After scoping the general design with the research staff the glassblower prepared a detailed design with particular emphasis on the size and the technical requirements associated with the need for metal electrodes in glass and metal to glass seals They also analysed the risks of an explosive airgas mixture developing in the apparatus and the use of hazardous chemicals in the gas bubblingextraction bottles The glassblower selected the glass prepared the glassblowing tools and equipment and constructed the apparatus according to the detailed design They carefully performed the annealing operation given the complexity of the apparatus They then liaised with the workshop staff who were building the box to contain the apparatus Finally the whole system was checked under operational conditions and handed over to the research staff

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Tools, materials and equipment

Hazards

Safety practices

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements