Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to blend and test binding mixes for use in the forming of chip, flake and fibre boards. Work is factory completed in a forest products setting and includes operator maintenance.
The unit applies to production operators and technicians who blend and test binding mixes in a forest and wood products setting and includes operator maintenance.
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 blending | 1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 1.3 Obtain type and quantity of binding mix for blending from storage. 1.4 Select and plan blending process in line with work order. |
2. Set up equipment and blend binding mix | 2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 2.2 Set blend cycles in line with work order. 2.3 Measure ingredients and additives and blend to ensure minimum wastage. 2.4 Transfer blend to appropriate storage location or production equipment through transfer lines without contamination. 2.5 Monitor rate of including additives and where required adjust pumps. |
3. Test binding mix results | 3.1 Test blend samples regularly, checking tack and adhesion properties. 3.2 Interpret test results and where required adjust blend to achieve desired properties. 3.3 Reject and dispose of incorrect blend in line with environmental protection practices. |
4. Maintain and clean equipment | 4.1 Clean blending, storage and transfer equipment in line with organisational safety procedures. 4.2 Turn off pumps and flush equipment in line manufacturer’s instructions. 4.3 Dispose of excess blended material and additives in line with environmental protection practices. 4.4 Store equipment and ingredients in line with organisational safety procedures. 4.5 Record and report production outcomes 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.
prepare binding mixes in line with individual work orders that prescribe varying quantities for each job; Binding mixes are to be prepared from different types of materials which includes:
chips
flakes
fibre
across the above jobs, demonstrate use of water and resin based glues:
for each of the above jobs, take samples and test mix for types of properties which includes:
mix quantities
viscosity
colour
spread
tack
cured bond strength
setting speed
how weather conditions may be affecting the process.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
environmental protection practices for blending and testing binding mixes:
reducing water and energy use
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of hazardous substances
storage layout and categories for:
raw materials
finished mixes
typical flow of material supply in and out of the mixing area
typical work flow processes for blending and testing binding mixes
properties, at a basic level of understanding, of ingredients and their uses:
rubber based adhesives
poly vinyl acetate
epoxy resins and formaldehydes
chips
flakes or fibre
hardeners
softeners
accelerants
decelerators
dyes
effects of weather conditions on blending processes
methods used to:
blend binding mix
test samples of mix
safely store glue and additives
purpose, features, operation and basic non-specialist maintenance of mixing systems used to blend binding mix:
mixers with manually controlled feed
mixers with pre-programmed mix quantities
organisational procedures specific to blending and testing mixes:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out, use of personal protective equipment and handling hazardous substances
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting production outcomes and equipment faults.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
blending system with transfer pumps
personal protective equipment suitable for blending and testing mixes
ingredients which must include at least one of the following:
rubber based adhesives
poly vinyl acetate
epoxy resins and formaldehydes
chips
flakes or fibre
hardeners
softeners
accelerants
decelerators
dyes
recipes for mixing ingredients
manufacturers’:
safety data sheets
instructions for equipment use
recommendations for maintaining equipment
work order with specific instructions for blending binding mixes
template documents for recording production outcomes and equipment faults
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for blending and testing mixes.
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 quantity of ingredients to meet work order production requirements and count amounts calculate routine mixing ratios for blends interpret numerical data from binding mix test samples. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders. |
Reading skills to: | interpret: workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures work orders safety data sheets manufacturers’ instructions. |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for blending outcomes and equipment faults. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation, production and maintenance using work order to guide activities. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify and dispose of incorrect and excess materials recognise faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying. |
Technology skills to: | select and use relevant personal protective equipment for blending and testing mixes efficiently and safely operate blending systems. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Wood Panel Products