Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to prepare and re-saw material to width and on the thickness with a power driven saw to optimise timber conversion and usability. Work includes non-specialist saw maintenance and is completed in a forest and wood products factory setting.
The unit applies to Sawyer, Saw Operator, Machine Operator, Timber Products Technician.
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 for conversion | 1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Obtain type and quantity of material to be converted from storage location. 1.3 Select appropriate equipment and check for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 1.4 Plan timber conversion and saw set-up in line with work plan. |
2. Produce boards | 2.1 Set and regularly check saw, carriage and feed and adjust to suit conversion plan, ordered sizes and tolerances. 2.2 Use equipment and machinery in line with organisational procedures, manufacturer's instructions and environmental protection practices. 2.3 Monitor timber supply to ensure constant supply to saw. 2.4 Maintain feed rate and operate saw bench to produce boards without damage to boards or saw blade. 2.5 Dispose of incorrect cuts, off-cuts and material with defects in line with environmental protection practices. 2.6 Stack material safely in designated location in line with work order requirements. 2.7 Report processing and equipment faults to appropriate personnel. |
3. Complete operator maintenance | 3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock-out equipment. 3.2 Check saw blades for bluntness or damage. 3.3 Remove and replace saw blades in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 3.4 Dispose of used blades in line with organisational procedures and environmental protection practices. 3.5 Keep saw area clear of dust, off-cuts and debris in line with WHS and site requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
follow organisational policies and practices relevant to converting timber of at least one of the following materials:
native timber species
imported timber species
dressed timber
in-the-rough timber
green timber
stress and non-stress graded timber
preservative treated timber
coated and/or treated timber products
beams or laminated beams
cut material to width and thickness in line with work order and within prescribed organisational tolerances
conduct operator maintenance on an automatic feed controlled rip saw
stack batches of cut material in line with organizational requirements and OHS regulations
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
timber conversion processes including:
re-sawing in-the-rough boards to optimize single boards through cutting away waste edges
cutting boards into two or more boards thereby maximizing the amount of product in line with the work order
saw set up including setting depth, width and thickness of cut measured from the fence in line with product order and allowing for kerf (width of saw cut)
storage layout and categories for:
raw materials
stacking finished materials, including
preparing for transport
categorizing in common size, length, width and thickness
marking lots in line with work order and site requirements
locating so as not to block access or passage
characteristics of timber and timber defects including:
warp
wane
cupping
shakes
insect defects
knots
resin pockets
cutting patterns and sequences
tolerances
saw feed rates
industry standard cross-sections and lengths
types of conversion tools and equipment; their purpose, features, operation and basic non-specialist repair and maintenance:
measuring equipment
automatic feed controlled ripping saws
saws with adjustable thickness (sloping table)
saws with one blade
rip saws
table saws
bench saws
methods for assessing saw blade condition
environmental protection practices for forest products factory settings:
reducing water and energy use
cleaning of plant, tools and equipment
disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste
organisational procedures specific to conversion activities:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out
use and maintenance of equipment
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting cutting process and equipment faults.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
one or more of the following items of conversion equipment:
automatic feed controlled ripping saws
saws with adjustable thickness (sloping table)
saws with one blade
rip saws
table saws
bench saws
measuring equipment
maintenance tools and equipment for saws
consumable components; saw blades
a diverse, comprehensive and commercial product range of timber
personal protective equipment suitable for conversion activities
manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment
work order for conversion activities with specific instructions for the cutting and storage of timber and timber products
template reports for recording processing and equipment faults
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for conversion activities.
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: | identify quantities of required material within work plans and count raw materials interpret order sizes and set up the saw to achieve correct depth, width and thickness of cut calculate the feed rate to optimise quality and quantity of production output. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders make accurate verbal reports on processing and equipment faults. |
Reading skills to: | interpret: WHS and other organisational procedures work orders manufacturers’ instructions and maintenance recommendations. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation and production using work order to guide activities. |
Problem-solving skills to: | recognise faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying. |
Technology skills to: | select, use and maintain appropriate machinery, tools and personal protective equipment used for conversion activities. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Timber Manufactured Products
Timber Merchandising