Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to safely operate a pad printing machine ensuring efficient routing production flow that maintains product quality standards.
It applies to individuals working in the printing and graphic arts industry who perform a range of mainly routine tasks, work under direct supervision and use limited practical skills and knowledge in a defined context.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Maintain routine pad printing process | 1.1 Location of objects into fixtures is monitored and adjusted if necessary 1.2 Printing plate condition is monitored to ensure quality of printed product meets the approved proof standard 1.3 Printing pad condition is monitored and maintained to ensure quality of printed product meets the approved proof standard 1.4 Spatula and doctor blade are monitored and adjusted to ensure quality of printed product meets the approved proof standard OR 1.5 Ink cup is monitored and adjusted to ensure quality of printed product meets the approved proof standard 1.6 Printing ink viscosity is monitored and adjusted to ensure quality of printed product meets the approved proof standard |
2. Maintain manual pre- and post-treatments | 2.1 Manual loading is monitored and adjusted to ensure quality of printed product meets the approved proof standard 2.2 Manual pre-treatment is monitored and adjusted to ensure quality of printed product meets the approved proof standard 2.3 Drying racks are monitored and adjusted to ensure quality of printed product meets the approved proof standard |
3. Maintain routine production process | 3.1 Production process is operated in association with fellow workers and according to company specifications and planned daily schedule 3.2 Production is maintained within work health and safety (WHS) requirements, and company and manufacturer’s specifications 3.3 Manual and/or automatic control is used as per specification 3.4 Performance is monitored and verified using the process control system according to enterprise procedures 3.5 Ink performance, colour, register and position of print are monitored and adjusted throughout production run 3.6 Production difficulties are anticipated and preventive action is taken to avoid disruption 3.7 Process adjustments to eliminate problems are reported according to enterprise procedures 3.8 Waste is sorted according to enterprise procedures |
4. Identify and rectify faults | 4.1 Problems in pad printing machine operation are identified and reported according to enterprise procedures 4.2 Adjustments or corrections are carried out according to specified procedures and consistent with operator’s skill level 4.3 Pad printing machine operation is checked to ensure correct operation 4.4 Faulty performance of equipment is identified and reported according to enterprise procedures |
5. Conduct shutdown | 5.1 Correct shutdown sequence is followed according to manufacturer’s specifications and enterprise procedures 5.2 Shutdown is conducted in association with fellow workers and in compliance with WHS requirements 5.3 Unused ink is correctly labelled and stored according to manufacturer/supplier specifications and enterprise procedures 5.4 Solid and liquid waste is removed from operating area and recycled or disposed of, where required, according to regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures 5.5 Product is removed from operating area 5.6 Machine faults requiring repair are identified and reported to designated person according to enterprise procedures 5.7 Repair/adjustment is verified prior to resumption of operations |
6. Clean and wash printing machine at end of print run | 6.1 Plates and pads are cleaned ready for next run 6.2 Inking system is washed up ready for next run, and liquid waste is disposed of according to company and regulatory requirements 6.3 Pre- and post-treatment units are cleaned ready for next run 6.4 Production records or other documentation are accurately completed, where required by enterprise procedures |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
safely produce TWO basic pad printing jobs (if possible on different substrates) to meet job specifications, enterprise procedures and work health and safety (WHS) requirements
correctly shut down and clean pad printing machine and, if possible, rectify any production problems with minimum downtime.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
outline major WHS concerns of operating this machine
identify where the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are stored and what information they contain
explain different machine cycle modes and how colour density of a light image on a dark substrate can be improved
outline process for selecting the appropriate machine cycle mode to provide the highest production output for a particular product
explain correct ink viscosity during production
explain causes of unreleased ink remaining on the printing pad and how this issue is identified
explain the correct process for recognising a damaged pad and the correct method of cleaning a pad during production
outline pre- and post-treatment requirements and the simple pre-treatment commonly required for injection-moulded objects
identify how long ink on the job takes to cure before scratch and adhesion tests can be performed
describe common print problems, how they are identified, and how they can be rectified
describe visible effects in the image if ink viscosity is incorrect
outline the process for adjusting the machine to correct a shift in image position on the product
identify machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task, where they are kept and information they contain.
Assessment Conditions
Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the printing field of work and include access to:
pad printing machine
special purpose tools, equipment and materials.
Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 3.1-3.3, 5.1, 5.3 | Recognises and interprets text to establish job requirements from information contained within relevant procedures and specifications |
Writing | 3.7, 4.1, 4.4, 5.3, 5.6, 6.4 | Enters routine data associated with production processes and enterprise procedures |
Oral Communication | 3.1-3.3, 3.7, 4.1, 4.4, 5.1-5.3, 5.6 | Speaks clearly using appropriate vocabulary, tone and pace to report faults and discrepancies |
Numeracy | 6.4 | Interprets and analyses a range of mathematical information used in familiar and routine tasks |
Navigate the world of work | 1.2-1.6, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.4, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 5.1-5.4, 5.6, 6.1-6.2, 6.4 | Recognises and follows explicit and implicit protocols and meets expectations associated with own role Recognises and follows all procedures for cleaning and maintenance of equipment incorporating regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures |
Interact with others | 3.1-3.3, 3.7, 4.1, 4.4, 5.1-5.3, 5.6 | Cooperates with others as part of familiar routine activities, and contributes to specific activities requiring joint responsibility and accountability Understands what to communicate, with whom and how, in routine work situations |
Get the work done | 1.1-1.6, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.6, 3.8, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.7 | Determines priorities and sequences steps involved in clearly defined, familiar tasks Recognises and anticipates an increasing range of familiar problems, their symptoms and causes, actively looking for early warning signs and implementing contingency plans Follows routine procedures for using digital technology by reading data from electronic monitoring and control systems |
Sectors
Printing