FWPCOT3233
Sharpen and align blades and knives


Application

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to sharpen and align straight and angled blades and knives for a variety of machines that use either babbitting or set screw processes for positioning blades and knives in disc chippers, canters, chipping heads and/or reducers. Work is completed in a forest products factory setting.

The unit applies to Sawdoctor, Saw Repairer.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare blades and knives for sharpening

1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Select appropriate repair, maintenance and personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness.

1.3 Plan sharpening and aligning process in line with work order.

2. Assess condition and set up blade and knife assemblies

2.1 Follow organisational safety procedures and manufacturer’s recommendations throughout all repair and maintenance processes.

2.2 Remove blade or knife for sharpening from designated machinery.

2.3 Assess cutting performance of blade or knife to determine sharpening requirements.

2.4 Assess condition of knife holder, jig and chuck and correct defects.

2.5 Clean and secure knife holder to chuck in line with organisational procedures.

2.6 Select jig type and setting for required blade or knife setup.

3. Set up equipment

3.1 Clean blades or knives of excess build-up, inspect babbitts for defects and replace where unserviceable.

3.2 Select angle for sharpening blade to suit its use in specified equipment.

3.3 Set up grinder with suitable attachment for holding knife or blade and examine and dress grinding wheel.

3.4 Select grinding wheel speed and feeds to suit blade or knife, grinding wheel material and configuration.

4. Operate grinder to sharpen blades and knives

4.1 Feed grinding wheel across and into cutting edge to sharpen blade to geometric requirements without defects or burns.

4.2 Monitor grinder for operational effectiveness and apply coolant as required.

4.3 Inspect blade or knife after sharpening for accuracy and hone remaining burrs to obtain sharp cutting edge.

4.4 Dispose of unserviceable and damaged blades and knives in line with environmental protection practices.

5. Align blades and knives

5.1 Inspect babbitts to assess reconditioning requirements.

5.2 Heat babbitt material to required pouring temperature.

5.3 Set up blade or knife in pouring jig to required dimensions.

5.4 Pour babbitt without to minimise material waste and avoid cavities and shrinkage.

5.5 Cool assembly and remove excess material to allow correct positioning in machinery.

5.6 Inspect set screws and replace bent or broken screws.

5.7 Adjust set screws to position knife or blade at correct depth and lock into position to avoid knife or blade movement.

5.8 Record and report processing problems and equipment faults to appropriate personnel.

Evidence of Performance

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to sharpening and aligning blades and knives

remove and replace babbits and set screws in line with standard operating procedures and machine settings

pour babbits to site procedures and finishing standard


Evidence of Knowledge

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

purpose, features and operation of equipment for which blades and knives are sharpened

blade and knife properties, at a basic level of understanding:

metal from which blades and knives are made

tensile strength

geometry

features of typical blade and knife defects:

burrs

burns

chips

splits

dents

purpose, features and operation of tools and equipment used to sharpen blades and knives:

grinding machines

grinding machine attachments

abrasive grinding wheels

babbitt making equipment

methods for:

removing blades and knives from machinery

assessing blade and knife condition

selecting appropriate grinding wheels; diameter and material

cleaning blades and knives

sharpening blades and knives to specified requirements

reconditioning babbitts

aligning blades and knives to specified requirements

angles at which blades and knives are sharpened

range of speeds at which abrasive wheels can be operated without damaging blades and knives

organisational procedures specific to sharpening and aligning blades and knives:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting processing problems and equipment faults

environmental protection practices for repairing and maintaining tools and equipment in forest products factory settings:

reducing water and energy use

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing materials


Assessment Conditions

The following resources must be made available:

tools and equipment used to sharpen and align blades and knives:

grinding machines

grinding machine attachments

abrasive grinding wheels in a variety of diameters

babbitt making equipment

machinery for which which blades and knives are to be sharpened

blades and knives for sharpening including one or more of the following:

chipper and canter or reducer knives

planer and thicknesser blades

spindle moulder knives

guillotine blades

other blades and knives that can be sharpened through a parallel grinding process

consumable coolant and screws

personal protective equipment suitable for sharpening and aligning blades and knives

manufacturers’ instructions for use, repair and maintenance of equipment

work order for repair and maintenance activities with specific instructions for sharpening and aligning blades and knives in specified equipment

template documents for recording processing problems and equipment faults

organisational policies and procedures for sharpening and aligning blades and knives.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.


Foundation Skills

This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Numeracy skills to:

read basic grinding wheel settings; set and adjust speeds to suit blade and knife requirements

complete precise calculations involving measurement of angles, depth and temperature to specifications.

Oral communication skills to:

ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders.

Reading skills to:

interpret:

workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures

work orders

manufacturers’ maintenance recommendations.

Writing skills to:

complete basic accurate records for processing problems and equipment faults.

Planning and organising skills to:

efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation and repair work using work order to guide activities.


Range Statement

Not Applicable


Sectors

Common Technical