Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to set-up, operate and shut-down the continuous press to form and press board for a range of available boards.
The unit applies to production operators and technicians who operate a continuous press in a forest and wood products factory setting.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states & territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction.
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 pressing. | 1.1 Review and check work order with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Identify hazards and control risk in the work area according to workplace requirements. 1.3 Select type and quantity of chips, flakes or fibre to be pressed, from storage location. 1.4 Conduct pre-start checks on equipment in line with manufacturer’s recommendations and site requirements. 1.5 Plan pressing process in line with site procedures. 1.6 Communicate plan with relevant personnel as required, to ensure safety and production requirements are met, in line with site procedures. |
2. Form, press, test and transfer finished boards. | 2.1 Set and adjust press pressures, temperatures and product parameters according to production requirements. 2.2 Check operational condition and set-up of former to confirm mat condition. 2.3 Check forming equipment for defects and position to load press in line with standard operating procedures. 2.4 Press boards while monitoring and adjusting board position, feed rate, mat condition and press condition. 2.5 Plan size changes and line speeds to meet production schedules. 2.6 Regularly assess pressed board and thickness changes and make necessary changes to former, press set-up and blending requirements. 2.7 Test board samples to confirm adherence to industry standard and reject defective boards. 2.8 Dispose of defective boards in line with site procedures and environmental requirements. 2.9 Transfer finished boards for further processing in line with site requirements. |
3. Shut down, clean equipment and record information. | 3.1 Shut down equipment in coordination with designated stop time and other line operators, in line with site procedures. 3.2 Separate and remove board and forming equipment from press using unloading equipment. 3.3 Strip and clean blending equipment, press and handling equipment in line with standard operating procedures. 3.4 Clear foreign material, dust and debris from machine area in line with workplace requirements. 3.5 Record and report pressing process 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.
identify hazards and control risk in the work area
operate blending and continuous press equipment to bond and produce board in line with safe work procedures and production requirements
identify defective boards using visual assessment and by testing sample boards
dispose of defective boards
redistribute material onsite using designated equipment
perform lock-out procedure and clean press equipment according to safe work procedure
record and report board pressing process information (production, quality, faults) using workplace specific recording and reporting channels and protocols (manual or computer-based log, communication with relevant personnel).
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
procedures for identifying hazards and controlling risk in the work environment
procedures for the use, operation and maintenance of a continuous press including emergency shut-down and lock-out procedure
safe work procedures relevant to forming and pressing board using a continuous press
board defects: surface blemishes, discolouration, natural timber defects, deformities, clean scalping from pendistors
ingredients and blending methods used in the board pressing process
chip, flake and fibre characteristics
established communication channels and protocols and how they are used to support safety and production requirements
procedures for testing board samples to check conformance with industry standard
procedures for identifying and disposing of defective boards and waste materials according to environmental protection requirements and site procedures
adjustment of feed rates to meet production requirements
common pressed board types: medium density fibreboard, chipboard, fibreboard
procedures for recording and reporting information relevant to the board pressing process (production, quality, faults)
procedures for responding to an emergency during the board pressing process: serious incident, fire or equipment fault.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
work order
pre-start checklist
personal protective equipment required for operating a continuous press
continuous press with continuous forming line
forming equipment
chips, flakes or fibre, binding ingredients, hardening agents
transfer equipment
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
manual or computer-based log to record production, quality and fault information.
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: | monitor gauges, dials, instruments displaying numerical information, cycle times estimate feed rate and line speed to meet production requirements measure moisture content, weight, thickness and density of panels during testing. |
Reading skills to: | read production, quality and maintenance information. |
Writing skills to: | record equipment inspection and maintenance information (checklists, fault reports). |
Problem solving skills to: | identify and resolve problems and faults during the pressing process. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Wood Panel Products
Timber Manufactured Products