Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CUVOPA08B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Production cut and polish opal

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUVOPA08B - Production cut and polish opal
Description This unit covers the skills and knowledge to cut and polish opal to meet trade requirements so that the operation is completed within minimum time.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit requires the application of knowledge and skills to cut and polish opals on a continuous basis producing pieces that comply with trade requirements. The cutting must be done in such a way that the cutting business is viable and the stone meets trade requirements. The skill is applied in a workshop environment and includes stock control and record keeping. A major application of this competency is in the manufacture of triplets.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites This unit may be assessed on its own or it may be assessed with other units that cover related skills and knowledge.Evidence is most relevant when provided through an integrated activity which combines the Elements of competency for the unit, or a cluster of units of competency.
Competency Field Opal cutting and polishing
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Select the machinery and consumables for production cutting opal.
  • Select the machinery.
  • Select the consumablesandadhesives.
  • Select the lighting equipment for UV sensitive adhesives.
  • Obtain Materials Safety Data Sheets for all materials used.
       
Element: Identify sources of rough opal and consumables and obtain supplies.
  • Determine sources and cost of rough opal and obtain supplies.
  • Determine sources and cost of consumables including backing material and triplet tops and obtain supplies.
  • Record information about suppliers and costs.
  • Set up stock management system.
       
Element: Review the layout of the workshop and set up machinery and equipment for production cutting.
  • Review the layout in relation to production cutting and make adjustments to facilitate workflow where required.
  • Set up multi-blade saw to manufacturers' specifications.
  • Set up grinder, sander, polisher and lighting equipment.
  • Set up dopping rack and other racks and containers as needed.
       
Element: Cut and polish opal to industry requirements within the time constraints of the production process.
  • Cut and polish opals to trade requirements within the predetermined time constraints.
  • Use appropriate dopping techniques for production work.
  • Ensure opals satisfy trade requirements for standard millimetre sizes for particular applications.
  • Follow all OHS requirements for machinery, equipment and consumables.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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.

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

To achieve competency in this unit, a person must be able to cut opal in a production environment meeting standards of quality and working with commercial constraints.

The assessment must confirm the ability to select machinery and consumables; to organise the workshop for production cutting and cut opals to industry standards within commercial constraints. All OHS issues must be handled appropriately.

Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over the range of variables and contexts applicable to the work environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed in a work environment, in a simulated work environment or in a combination of these situations.

Method of assessment

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills and other methods as required.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Assessment of this competency requires access to:

production cutting and polishing equipment, tools and consumables

a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills:

set up and use production equipment

source materials

cost materials

follow the procedures for stock management

servicing and testing of equipment.

Required knowledge:

differentiate between standard and production cutting

knowledge of the procedures and equipment used in production cutting

where to locate and cost materials for production cutting

knowledge of stock management requirements.

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.

Machinery may include:

cabochon cutting machine

cabochon pre-former

diamond sintered wheel grinder

faceting unit pre-former

high speed sanding unit

multi bade trim saw

pumice pre-polishing unit

soft diamond wheel sanding and polishing unit

spongy wheel sanding unit

triplet slicing machine

UV light box

vibro tumbler.

Consumablesand adhesives may include:

#400 acid treated silicon-carbide powder

backing material

blackening agent

dopping wax or adhesive

epoxy adhesive

grinding wheels

polishing powder (cerium oxide)

polishing wheels (diamond or felt)

red sealing wax

rough opal

sanding wheels (diamond or spongy)

trim saw blades

triplet slicing blades, 120, 140, 160,180.

triplet tops

UV adhesive

water and electricity.

Backing materials may include:

black jade

black potch (best)

boulder iron stone

clear or transparent potch

dark grey potch

glass (triplet only)

obsidian (black)

vitrolite (triplet only).

Stock management system may include:

avoiding cutting irregular sizes or shapes to minimise slow stock

maintenance of rough opal and consumables supplies

regular checks with suppliers for continuity of consumables

stock popular sizes to meet new markets.

Dopping techniques may include:

5-minute epoxy glue

aluminium or wooden dop-sticks

collapsible rack for holding dop-sticks

green or red sealing wax

vacuum dopping

wood glues.

Standard millimetre sizes may require:

consistent accurate sizes

no grinding marks or sanding marks on surface

very high polish required

when shaping, keep the setting into jewellery in mind.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Select the machinery. 
Select the consumablesandadhesives. 
Select the lighting equipment for UV sensitive adhesives. 
Obtain Materials Safety Data Sheets for all materials used. 
Determine sources and cost of rough opal and obtain supplies. 
Determine sources and cost of consumables including backing material and triplet tops and obtain supplies. 
Record information about suppliers and costs. 
Set up stock management system. 
Review the layout in relation to production cutting and make adjustments to facilitate workflow where required. 
Set up multi-blade saw to manufacturers' specifications. 
Set up grinder, sander, polisher and lighting equipment. 
Set up dopping rack and other racks and containers as needed. 
Cut and polish opals to trade requirements within the predetermined time constraints. 
Use appropriate dopping techniques for production work. 
Ensure opals satisfy trade requirements for standard millimetre sizes for particular applications. 
Follow all OHS requirements for machinery, equipment and consumables. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUVOPA08B - Production cut and polish opal
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CUVOPA08B - Production cut and polish opal

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: