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

PMC552020C Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate slip casting equipment

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PMC552020C - Operate slip casting equipment
Description This unit of competency covers the operation of slip casting equipment used for production of clay and ceramic products, including the rectification of problems.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency applies to operators who are responsible for following procedures to make slip cast products. This competency includes the operation of all ancillary equipment.This unit was developed for larger production contexts but it may also be relevant to craft practitioners producing ceramic work.It does NOT include drying, firing or finishing operations. This unit of competency is typically performed by operators working either independently or as part of a team.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
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: Prepare the forming equipment
  • Determine the product formation requirements from the production program
  • Ensure the required moulds are in place
  • Ensure the equipment is set up and prepared as required
  • Ensure the required raw materials are selected and poured or connected to the equipment
  • Ensure the equipment is safe to use
       
Element: Operate forming equipment
  • Operate equipment to produce product to requirements
  • Remove product from the mould
  • Monitor and adjust slip properties as required
  • Transfer product to drying racks/conveyor/trucks as required
  • Record production data as required
       
Element: Control hazards
  • Identify hazards from the job to be done
  • Identify other hazards in the work area
  • Assess the risks arising from those hazards
  • Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures
       
Element: Rectify routine problems
  • Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation
  • Determine and rectify fault causes by procedures
  • Identify and rectify equipment failure causes to procedures
  • Ensure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet procedures
  • Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person
       


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.

Overview of assessment

The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

moulds are clean and ready

slip is applied correctly

excess slip is removed as required

cast is removed cleanly

mould life is preserved

formed product meets requirements

material handling methods and waste levels are consistent to standards.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Method of assessment

Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes.

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.

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

Required skills include:

recognising conditions which will lead to out of specification product and taking appropriate action

implementing enterprise's procedures and relevant regulatory requirements within time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the casting equipment

reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

slip casting process

mould purpose and fundamentals

determining correct wall thickness

slip consistency and properties

distinguish between causes of faults such as:

mould condition

equipment malfunction

mould removal

slip consistency

product wall thickness

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.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions

Operation of equipment

This unit includes the operation of equipment used for the casting of clay and ceramic products. It includes the processes:

casting (including medium pressure casting)

punching

palleting

sponging and fettling

use of hand tools

This competency includes the operation of all ancillary equipment and the operation of plant using PLCs where appropriate although the use of control panels is covered by another unit

Product requirements

Product requirements include:

specified thickness is achieved

proper casting time is allowed

excess slip is removed

Removing product from mould

Removing product from mould includes ensuring:

condition of the product is acceptable

mould condition is acceptable for reuse

enterprise procedures are followed

equipment is cleaned and readied for reuse

Typical problems

Typical problems may include:

checking for mould deterioration

slip consistency

product wall thickness

identifying piece faults

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
Determine the product formation requirements from the production program 
Ensure the required moulds are in place 
Ensure the equipment is set up and prepared as required 
Ensure the required raw materials are selected and poured or connected to the equipment 
Ensure the equipment is safe to use 
Operate equipment to produce product to requirements 
Remove product from the mould 
Monitor and adjust slip properties as required 
Transfer product to drying racks/conveyor/trucks as required 
Record production data as required 
Identify hazards from the job to be done 
Identify other hazards in the work area 
Assess the risks arising from those hazards 
Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures 
Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation 
Determine and rectify fault causes by procedures 
Identify and rectify equipment failure causes to procedures 
Ensure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet procedures 
Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMC552020C - Operate slip casting equipment
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

PMC552020C - Operate slip casting equipment

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: