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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Construct high vacuum systems
  2. Modify high vacuum systems
  3. Maintain high vacuum systems
  4. Monitor and finetune vacuum operation
  5. Maintain a safe work environment
  6. Maintain records

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include

preparing and interpreting blueprints drawings sketches designs and customer requirements

applying theoretical concepts and practical principles to constructing modifying and maintaining vacuum systems

evaluating and making recommendations for modifications to vacuum systems

modifying high vacuum systems to meet new requirements

using appropriate procedures to monitor and maintain high vacuum systems

following enterprise procedures to document and communicate work details

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

principles of design of high vacuum apparatus

principles of working with high vacuum systems

theoretical and practical knowledge of glassworking methods and procedures

practices to control stress and strain in glass systems

theory of equipment operation and use

characteristics capabilities and limitations of glassblowing techniques

properties of glass and specific ways to join glass for high vacuum applications

ideal joint placement for high vacuum systems

ultra cleaning procedures for glass in high vacuum systems

preparation and use of glass to metal seals

safety procedures relevant to constructing and working with high vacuum systems

Evidence Required

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

prepare and interpret blueprints drawings sketches designs and customer requirements

apply theoretical concepts and practical principles to construct modify and maintain vacuum systems

evaluate and make recommendations for modifications to vacuum systems

modify high vacuum systems to meet new requirements

use appropriate procedures to monitor and maintain high vacuum systems

use advanced benchhand glasswork techniques and equipment to fabricate glass apparatus

follow enterprise procedures to document and communicate work details

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 Design and manufacture glass apparatus and glass systems

MSL965001A Design and manufacture glass apparatus and glass systems

MSLA Perform glass coating grinding and finishing operations

MSL965002A Perform glass coating, grinding and finishing operations.

Resources may include

access to a scientific glassblowing facility appropriate equipment materials and procedures which will allow for appropriate and realistic simulation

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

Education

A major research organisation has requested assistance with the design and construction of an ultra high vacuum line to work in conjunction with a recently purchased mass spectrometer The scientific glassblower identifies the location of the backing pump vapour jet pump turbomolecular pump and getter pumps After finalising the design they manufacture the main components in the glassblowing workshop They then take the portable glassblowing station including hand torch gas supplies and hand tools to the research laboratory and proceed to link these components with various sizes of glass tubing and transition glassmetal vacuum flanges Having completed the vacuum system the glassblower assists with checking all joints and seals under vacuum conditions and undertakes any repairs and modifications Finally they dispose of all waste appropriately and return the equipment to the workshop


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

calibration and maintenance schedules

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

equipment manuals

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

industry codes of practice

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

material, production and product specifications

national environment protection measures

occupational health and safety (OHS) national standards and codes of practice

production and laboratory schedules

quality manuals

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Tools and equipment

Tools and equipment may include:

leak detection equipment

pumps and lubricants

pressure measuring equipment

bench, handlamp and ribbon burners, gas supplies and gas economisers

glass working lathes

annealing ovens

measuring and recording equipment

hand tools, such as carbon paddles and mandrels, range of forceps, glass tubing gauges, angle setting jigs, calipers, glass support rollers, brass shapers, carbon rods, glass knife, stainless steel gauze, vernier calipers and other measuring tools, and strain viewer

mechanical glass cutters and saws

mechanical glass grinding equipment

Vacuum apparatus

Vacuum apparatus includes items, such as:

manometers

vacuum traps

vacuum manifolds

vacuum distillation apparatus

gas handling systems

Maintenance procedures

Maintenance procedures may include:

cleaning and maintaining work area, equipment and tools

checking and maintaining gas manifolds, cylinders and pumps

ensuring safety of vacuum and related equipment

evaluating and troubleshoot high vacuum systems

evaluating and restoring efficiency of systems

Hazards

Hazards may include:

sharps and broken glassware

residues on used glassware, such as mercury

heat sources, such as burners and ovens

fluids under pressure (acetylene and oxygen)

glass dust

cuts associated with glass grinders and cutters

manual handling of heavy sample bags and containers

Safety practices

Safety practices may include:

use of personal protective equipment, such as heat resistant gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, respirators and safety boots

correct labelling of reagents and hazardous materials

handling, and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, and enterprise procedures and regulations

regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work areas

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health