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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to evaluate rapid prototyping applications for safety, economy and fitness for purpose.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

evaluate suitability of a rapid prototyping application against alternative processes

review features and functions of rapid prototyping processes

select appropriate rapid prototyping principles and techniques, analysis techniques and software

determine WHS and regulatory requirements, risk management and organisational procedures

report and document results.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

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 and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

determining technologies, parameters and context of rapid prototyping applications

investigating sustainability implications of rapid prototyping applications

reviewing features and functions of rapid prototyping applications

identifying rapid prototyping principles and techniques, analysis techniques and software

identifying relevant WHS, regulatory and risk management compliance requirements for rapid prototyping applications

assessing software, facilities, services, plant and tooling, and materials

analysing labour and skills distribution requirements, degree of automation and competitiveness, costs and break-even

evaluating rapid prototyping against alternative methods and technologies

reporting and documenting results of scoping, principles and techniques identification and evaluation of products and processes, product and process analysis, and CAD files

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

range, features and applications of rapid prototyping processes, including:

digitisers and reverse engineering processes

selective laser sintering (SLS)

fused deposition modelling (FDM)

stereolithography (SLA)

laminated object manufacturing (LOM)

electron beam melting (EBM)

3-D printing (3-DP)

solid freeform fabrication

sprayed metal deposition

direct metal deposition (DMD)

casting (patternless and rapid pattern processes)

vacuum forming

rapid machining (subtractive) options

rapid cutting options, such as computer driven gas and laser cutting

robot and auto welding

common applications for rapid prototyping, including:

concept modelling

multiple design iterations at low cost

form, fit and function testing prior to committing to tooling

market design verification prior to mass production

masters for vacuum forming and investment casting

one piece thermoplastic jigs and fixtures

one-off full strength plastic, cast, direct deposited metal or sprayed metal components

sources of technical and professional assistance

sustainability implications of rapid prototyping applications and processes

rapid prototyping principles, techniques and software

WHS, regulatory and risk management requirements relevant to rapid prototyping applications

facilities, services, plant and tooling required for rapid prototyping applications

materials used in additive ‘printing’ processes

materials for sprayed metal deposition

materials for rapid casting

other materials, including:

thermoplastics for vacuum forming

materials for rapid machining and fabrication

component design processes and CAD techniques relevant to rapid prototyping processes and applications, including:

size limitations

combining components

digitising

reverse engineering

labour and skills requirements relevant to rapid prototyping

systems thinking, continuous improvement, and constraint and contingency management techniques

WHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards, risk management and registration 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.

Rapid prototyping applications

Rapid prototyping applications are typically applications with either one-off or small to medium quantities. Rapid prototypes are typically developed for:

concept modelling

multiple design iterations at low cost

form, fit and function testing prior to committing to tooling

market design verification prior to mass production

masters for vacuum forming and investment casting

one piece thermoplastic jigs and fixtures

one-off full strength plastic, cast, direct deposited metal or sprayed metal components

Appropriate technical and professional assistance

Appropriate technical and professional assistance may include:

technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:

high pressure

energised fluid vessels

high temperatures and heat energy capacity

wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage

professional support for technologies, such as:

specialist electric motor drives and controllers

specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials

special processes, foundry, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:

WHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

state and territory regulatory requirements

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular rapid prototyping application

Sustainability

Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:

meeting all regulatory requirements

conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer

Systems thinking

Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect, outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain

Continuous improvement implementation

Continuous improvement implementation may relate to plant, products, processes, systems or services, including design, development, implementation or manufacture, commissioning, operation or delivery and maintenance.

Improvement processes may include techniques, such as:

balanced scorecard

current and future state mapping

measuring performance against benchmarks

process improvement, problem solving and decision making

data management, generation, recording, analysing, storing and use of software

training for improvement systems participation

technical training

Constraints and contingencies

Constraints and contingencies may be:

financial

organisational, procedural or cultural

physical constraints, such as limits to resources, limits to site access or logistical limitations