Application
People working in industrial and creative contexts use technical casting and moulding skills in their work. In the creative industries this includes ceramic artists, glass artists, sculptors and prop makers, but the unit could also be relevant to others working with the design and production of any three-dimensional object.
At this level the individual has a well-developed command of technical skills for the chosen methods of casting or moulding.
Work is undertaken independently with some guidance or mentoring available as required.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Evaluate mould-making and casting approaches | 1.1 Research the theory and practice of mould making and casting in the context of own work 1.2 Evaluate the ways in which casting and moulding may be used in different contexts and for different purposes 1.3 Investigate current materials, technologies and options for mould making and casting |
2. Design and make models for the mould-making and casting process | 2.1 Evaluate the design and production limitations of a variety of models 2.2 Design a variety of forms suitable for the mould-making and casting process 2.3 Make a variety of forms based on own designs 2.4 Evaluate forms to assess aesthetic, functional and technical issues 2.5 Make patterns or models suitable for reproduction by mould making and casting 2.6 Prepare patterns or models for mould making and casting |
3. Select mould-making and casting resources | 3.1 Establish the mould-making and casting needs of specific work projects, including technical specifications, in consultation with relevant people 3.2 Select appropriate materials, tools and equipment for the project 3.3 Consider the particular safety issues that affect mould-making and casting work 3.4 Calculate correct quantities of materials, avoiding wastage where possible |
4. Complete construction process | 4.1 Use mould-making and casting materials to meet specific work needs 4.2 Select and use different techniques and equipment to achieve desired outcomes 4.3 Fabricate one-piece and multi-piece moulds that meet technical specifications 4.4 Achieve different outcomes and effects through experimentation with various materials 4.5 Determine and allow required curing and drying time 4.6 Recognise and resolve technical and design issues in the mould-making and casting process 4.7 Apply safe strategies for the use, maintenance and storage of mould-making and casting materials, tools and equipment |
5. Evaluate work | 5.1 Review items produced in terms of durability and quality of finish 5.2 Assess the work in terms of its creative and aesthetic objectives 5.3 Identify and act on the potential for adjustment and refinement in future work |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to liaise with others about work requirements
critical thinking and analytical skills to:
evaluate ways of achieving required effects and results
experiment with different media and materials
literacy skills to:
interpret technical data and instructions about use of materials and equipment, such as product labels
interpret information from a variety of sources about the history and theory of casting and moulding
numeracy skills to calculate:
volume of geometric and non-geometric forms
quantities of required materials
planning and organising skills to:
select and organise materials, tools and equipment
plan work tasks in a logical sequence
problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical issues in mould making and casting
self-management skills to evaluate the quality of own work and identify opportunities for improvement
technical skills to safely use materials, tools and equipment for mould-making and casting processes
technology skills to use the internet as a research tool.
Required knowledge
theory and practice of mould making and casting in historical and contemporary contexts
how mould making and casting are used in own area of work
current technologies and equipment used for mould making and casting and their application to different purposes
properties and applications of materials commonly used for mould making and casting in the relevant work context
reasons for the use of particular materials and techniques to achieve particular effects
common technical problems that arise in the creation of moulds and casts
intellectual property issues and legislation in creative practice
sustainability considerations that apply to moulding and casting work
OHS considerations for the making of moulds or casts in the relevant work context.
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 | Evidence of the ability to: produce multiple technically sound items using mould-making and casting techniques apply safe work practices with moulding and casting equipment and materials apply knowledge of the properties of materials used in mould making and casting. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: access to casting and mould-making materials, tools and equipment a work space in which items can be made safely. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: direct observation of the candidate making moulds and using them to take casts questioning and discussion about candidate’s work processes review of portfolios of evidence review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners. 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). |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: CUVCER501A Refine ceramics techniques CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes CUVGLA501A Refine glassworking techniques CUVGLA502A Investigate glassworking materials and processes CUVSCU501A Refine sculptural techniques CUVSCU502A Investigate sculptural materials and processes. |
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. 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.
Theory and practice of mould making and casting may relate to: | emerging trends innovative use production capabilities and economics work of other artists or designers. |
Purposes may be to create: | architectural items art objects block and case moulds for casting production cast items, such as: cast metal cast plastic hot cast glass kiln cast glass press moulded items slipcast ceramics slumped glass functional items (one-offs or multiples) models sculptures patterns props prototypes samples templates. |
Design and production limitations may include: | availability of materials, tools and equipment availability of suitable work space skill level. |
Designs may include: | computer-aided design (CAD) drawings hand drawings maquettes. |
Forms may include: | full scale handmade models maquettes rapid prototyped models. |
Evaluation may include consideration of: | aesthetic requirements functional requirements marketability of end product mould-making and casting limitations. |
Preparing patterns or models may include: | exposure and containment of each section when required identifying and marking parting lines isolating individual mould sections using release agents. |
Technical specifications may relate to: | cost of production durability and strength how and where the item is to be viewed or placed number and size of items to be produced shelf life of selected materials suitability of selected materials types of materials to be used. |
Relevant people may include: | artists designers mentors production personnel supervisors teachers. |
Tools and equipment may include: | casting frames casting table centrifugal casting machine cottles die casting machine drawing and design tools, including: carving and modelling tools computers and design software rapid prototyping equipment measuring tools and equipment, including: accurate scales electronic balance measuring instruments for volume and length mould boards and clamps protective clothing and equipment ram press vacuum former. |
Safety issues may relate to: | ergonomic issues, such as: ability to pour moulds size and weight of moulds personal protective equipment (PPE) use of chemicals use of hot materials use of safe casting techniques and materials when life casting ventilation work environment. |
Mould-making and casting materials may include: | clays: oil or polymer-based modelling clays pottery clay bodies latex found objects metal manufactured plastics, such as: fibreglass polyurethane and polyester resins sheet plastics silicones, including condensation cure and addition cure thermoset and thermoplastic elastomers other casting materials, such as alginate plaster products: Forton MG gypsum cement pottery plaster and dental plaster refractory materials, such as: alumina clay products, such as kaolin, bentonite and grog investment plaster silica vermiculite washed sand and furnace sand release agents, such as: petroleum-based products mixtures shellac soft soap waxes: jewellery wax microcrystalline wax wood. |
Techniques may include: | blow moulding carving draping and slumping handbuilding investing life casting modelling pouring pressing using release agents vacuum forming. |
Technical and design issues may relate to: | aesthetic appeal applications of alternative modelling and mould-making materials availability of materials durability functionality marketability skills required for production time required for production. |
Sectors
Visual communication – art, craft and design
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.