To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
explain why it is important that job specifications are read and properly understood
discuss production problems that might occur if job specifications are not read and properly understood
name the person to discuss any production problems with
outline the importance of printing plate hardness
list faults that may be detected on new plates
identify type of solvents used on photopolymer plates
define V-block mounting
explain how V-block mounting is achieved
discuss the purpose of binding plates after mounting
list checks to perform prior to cylinder installation
explain precautions to ensure plate/cylinders are not damaged during installation
list WHS precautions for preparing inks and additives
list details to check for an ink’s suitability for the printing process
describe any special end-use requirements that may be necessary
discuss additives and their use in inks
explain the use of a spectrophotometer to assess colour of an ink
outline the formula for calculating correct quantity of lithographic ink
describe the print fault likely if excessive driers are mixed into the ink
identify precautions to minimise waste when preparing the ink
explain shelf life of most inks
discuss conditions relevant to storage of inks and additives
describe conventions for labelling mixed inks
list major WHS concerns of setting up the machine
list the order eccentric or concentric roller adjustments should be made in
discuss the width of the contact stripe between two rollers when setting rollers
discuss how to determine the ink duct setting
explain the ideal ink duct sweep setting
outline recommended degrees shore hardness for forme rollers
name various types of ink drying/curing systems
explain the operation of the true inch function fitted to some machines
identify problems that may cause the machine to keep stopping
list necessary checks prior to engaging the impression
outline checks performed when running the machine
describe the effect of the position of certain guards on the operation of the machine
explain importance of communicating steps involved in operating the machine to other team members
identify aids available for testing the machine proof
explain what tests are necessary for an individual job
identify where testing should take place
describe the function of a polarisation filter in a densitometer
explain ideal conditions for inspecting the proof
explain the cause of a halo effect on the image
identify methods available to check and adjust ink colour and consistency
discuss adjustments that may cause mis-register
outline adjustments made to position the image laterally
outline adjustments made to position the image circumferentially
describe the effect of changing the colour sequence on the final colour cast
explain the difference between mechanical and optical dot gain
explain the cause of excessive mechanical dot gain
name who has responsibility for the final say in the OK of the job
discuss in-line processes used in specialised pad printing
identify machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task and where they are kept, and describe the information in them.
For reel systems only
describe how to determine position of the reel
discuss what happens if brake tension is not set correctly
explain the function of the ‘dancer’ roller on a web machine
outline the function of nip rollers
discuss what happens if the web is not spliced correctly
explain how the web is controlled in the rewind unit
outline the function of a slitter on a web machine
list problems attributable to a blunt knife when sheeting
list the main reason for blistering on a heatset machine
explain how the drying unit cures the ink
For sheet systems only
list the major work health and safety (WHS) concerns of setting up the sheet transportation system
explain the cause of more than one sheet being picked up in the feeder
explain why accurate feeder set up is essential
describe what determines position of the sheet prior to being transferred to the printing unit
outline how to determine which front lays to use
identify the type of substrate that requires additional front lays to be engaged
explain the need for additional front lays when printing this type of substrate
identify the most important WHS precaution to observe when setting up the delivery
List WHS precautions for removing sheets from the delivery
explain the cause of sheets being delivered incorrectly
outline necessary adjustments if changing from lightweight to heavyweight stocks
explain what determines sheet release into the delivery
identify problems from excessive use of anti-set off spray powder
explain what causes printed sheets to set off in the delivery
describe how to reduce the possibility of set off in the delivery
explain how air blast can assist sheet delivery
explain how much packing is required in the tympan
explain how the level of printing pressure is determined
explain the ideal condition of the tympan
discuss how to achieve the correct top sheet tension when fitting a new tympan
identify print faults that can occur if the tympan is not tensioned correctly
discuss the need to use visual aids on the printed sheets
explain the procedure to lengthen print length on this type of press
explain the procedure to shorten print length on this type of press
explain the importance of keeping machine frames and unit slides clean
list WHS precautions for installing printing cylinders in the machine
explain how to determine the optimum print sequence
point out the visual aid on the plate that identifies the colour of ink to be used
list WHS precautions for webbing up the machine
discuss remedial steps to take if there is a possibility of the ink marking in the rewind sheet delivery system on a sheet-fed machine