AURB428201A
Design and build a bicycle frame

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to calculate design specifications and custom build a bicycle frame.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

This unit applies to individuals who apply mechanical principles and measurements to design and build a custom bicycle frame.

The unit applies to individuals working in a bicycle retail, service and repair environment.

Work requires individuals to demonstrate judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Gather information on bicycle frame requirements

1.1. Discuss and confirm customer requirements including intended use of the unit, preferred design, frame materials, construction methods and finish

1.2. Use sizing cycle, observation and measurements to assess physical attributes and riding style of client

1.3. Research bicycle frame design principles and check component suppliers and specifications

2. Design bicycle frame and specify materials and components

2.1. Design a frame to customer measurements and requirements, using a computer-aided design (CAD) program or other means

2.2. Specify frame tubing in terms of diameter and wall thickness to achieve durability and use requirements according to established industry practices

2.3. Prepare parts list and determine availability of parts and materials

2.4. Document and cost custom frame job and obtain customer approval for work to be undertaken

2.5. Place order with suppliers for frame materials, parts and components

3. Prepare for frame building

3.1. Plan frame building sequence and determine availability of tooling and equipment

3.2. Lay out parts and check for damaged and/or missing components

3.3. Select and check tooling and set up jig

3.4. Set up welding, brazing or bonding equipment and materials

3.5. Identify need for additional persons to assist in frame building process and make arrangements

4. Build bicycle frame

4.1. Perform frame building operations according to plan

4.2. Use personal safety equipment and take precautions to protect others in the workplace

4.3. Use and maintain tooling and equipment in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements

4.4. Check angles, measurements and frame alignment throughout the operation and make adjustments as required

5. Paint and/or finish frame

5.1. Prepare frame for painting and finishing

5.2. Prepare and apply paint or finish in accordance with manufacturer recommendations

5.3. Follow appropriate safety precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment and adequate ventilation

5.4. Clean up equipment in accordance with environmental procedures

6. Prepare frame for delivery and clean up

6.1. Check the finished bicycle frame and prepare unit for delivery

6.2. Clean and store portable tooling and equipment in approved designated areas

6.3. Clean work area and dispose of waste in accordance with workplace procedures

6.4. Complete workplace records, customer file and warranty information as required by enterprise

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include:

technical skills to the level required to use appropriate software, tools and equipment to design and build a bicycle frame

communication skills to the level required to confirm work requirements and specifications, to communicate effectively regarding work requirements with supervisor, other workers and customers, to report work outcomes and problems, and to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities

literacy skills to the level required to research information related to bicycle frame design and components and interpret technical information and specifications

numeracy skills to the level required to correctly complete tests and measurements, calculate ratios and interpret specifications

problem-solving skills to the level required to apply bicycle design principles and measurements to specify and select suitable components for a custom bicycle frame and recognise design features that detract from durability

team skills to the level required to work effectively and cooperatively with others to optimise workflow and productivity

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

purpose and requirements of bicycle frame systems and their relationship to braking, wheels, drivetrain and steering system

classification of bicycle frames and identification of system components

materials used in bicycle frames

application of frame design principles

causes of frame failures and design alternatives to reduce likelihood of failure

frame construction procedures and techniques

selection, checking and use of tooling and equipment

manufacturer and/or component supplier specifications

applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice, including OHS, personal safety and environment, relevant to designing and building bicycle frames

organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements, reporting and recording procedures, and work organisation and planning processes, related to designing and building bicycle frames

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 must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

communicate effectively with customer to determine requirements

apply mechanical principles and measurements to design a bicycle frame to meet client requirements

select frame components, materials and equipment to meet design requirements

observe safety procedures and requirements

use appropriate construction procedures and techniques to build a bicycle frame to design specifications.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that reflects as far as possible the actual working environment.

Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, including specified Australian standards.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

The following resources should be made available:

a range of bicycle frame parts and components

equipment and tools appropriate to constructing bicycle frames

BikeCAD or other design tools

technical specifications and standards

workplace documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of this 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 Required Skills and Knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on Required Skills and Knowledge to ensure its 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 able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role.

Guidance information for assessment

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


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. 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.

Bicycle frames

Bicycle frames may include:

all-terrain, touring, racing, recumbent and BMX bicycle frames

steel, lugged, brazed or welded

titanium

composite material

aluminium

lugged, brazed or welded

painted, anodised, natural state and polished surface finishes

Bicycle measurements

Bicycle measurements may include:

head tube length and angle (steering axis)

bottom bracket drop

seat tube length and angle

top tube length

saddle setback

chainstay length

fork rake or offset

fork trail and bicycle stability

Client physical attributes

Client physical attributes to be considered may include:

height

body shape and weight distribution

length of arms and legs

fitness, agility and injuries

Design considerations

Design considerations may include:

common reasons for frame failure

design features that affect durability

balancing weight reduction, durability (fatigue) and impact resistance (collision)

characteristics of tubes with equal weight but differing wall thicknesses, stiffness and failure

features and characteristics of advanced fixtures

Design and build methods

Design and build methods may include:

CAD programs

tube cutting, mitreing and preparation

welding, brazing and bonding processes

correcting distortion and misalignment

painting and surface finishing

Tooling and equipment

Tooling and equipment may include:

hand tooling and equipment

welding, brazing and bonding equipment and material

frame jig, workbench and air tooling

Materials

Materials may include:

tubing, lugs, bottom bracket shells, fork crowns and dropouts

welding consumables

paint, surface preparation and finishes

cleaning materials

Information/documents

Information/documents may include:

verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets (MSDS), diagrams or sketches

safe work procedures related to designing and building bicycle frames

regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to bicycle safety

design specifications and instructions

organisation work specifications and requirements

instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons

Australian standards

OHS requirements

OHS requirements are to be in accordance with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

hazard and risk control

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

emergency procedures

Legislative requirements

Legislative requirements are to be in accordance with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice, and may include:

award and enterprise agreements

industrial relations

Australian standards

Australian Design Rules

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

equal opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

Environmental requirements

Environmental requirements may include:

waste management

hazardous gases and fumes

noise

dust

clean-up management

Quality requirements

Quality requirements may include:

regulations, including Australian standards

internal organisational quality policies and procedures

enterprise operations and procedures

Organisational policies and procedures

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

quality policies and procedures, including Australian standards

OHS, sustainability, environment, equal opportunity and anti-discrimination

manufacturer specifications and industry codes of practice

safe work procedures

reporting and recording procedures


Sectors

Unit sector

Bicycle


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor