Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to mount and demount flexographic plates for non-routine printing.
It applies to individuals working in the printing and graphic pre-press sector of the printing and graphic arts industry. They design layouts and assemble text and graphics into page formats for printing, and set up, monitor and operate equipment and machinery as well as apply solutions to a defined range of problems associated with the print medium, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They may also provide leadership and guidance to others with some limited responsibility for the output of others.
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. Confirm non-routine job specifications | 1.1 Job requirements are read and interpreted from job documentation or production control system 1.2 Set up is planned and carried out correctly in minimum time with minimum wastage 1.3 Prior inspections are completed and signed off |
2. Prepare flexographic plates | 2.1 Plate height is measured according to non-routine job specifications 2.2 Plates are trimmed and prepared according to mounting system requirements 2.3 Mounting adhesive is selected to achieve correct Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) of specified plate cylinders and gears |
3. Prepare plate cylinder | 3.1 Plate cylinders/seamless sleeves are selected, cleaned and prepared and correct gears are mounted OR 3.2 Sleeves and correct gears on mandrels are selected, cleaned, prepared and mounted to meet non-routine job specifications 3.3 Total Indicated Runout (TIR) is checked to be within specified tolerances on plate cylinders 3.4 Selected mounting adhesive is applied to plate cylinders |
4. Mount and demount flexographic plates on mounting/proofing machine | 4.1 Plates are prepared and mounted on cylinders using pin mounts or microdot systems or sleeves according to chart number/print direction OR 4.2 Plate mounting sheet is prepared to meet non-routine job specifications 4.3 Plates are mounted to position on plate mounting sheet or camera targets 4.4 Plate mounting sheet is installed and tensioned onto plate cylinder to specified chart number/print direction 4.5 Correct cleaning solution and brush is used to clean plate 4.6 Correct tools are used to demount plate without damaging plate 4.7 Plate is visually checked for damage 4.8 Plate is prepared for storage and then stored correctly according to enterprise procedures |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
prepare and mount flexographic plates and plate cylinders for complex printing to meet job specifications, including checking registration if necessary
mount and demount plates and install in a flexographic printing machine for a variety of different complex print jobs on TWO occasions according to job specifications.
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:
explain the need to ensure job specifications are read and properly understood
describe production problems that could be created by not reading or understanding the job specifications
identify who to discuss any production problems with
list work health and safety (WHS) concerns of mounting and demounting plates
describe the most common cause of photopolymer plates crazing on the image side
explain the importance of printing plate resiliency
list the main advantage of using thin photopolymer plates in process printing
outline faults that may be detected on new plates
identify type of solvents used on photopolymer plates
describe benefits of optical mounting
explain the purpose of binding plates after mounting
outline possible print faults that could be eliminated by using cushion mount
describe the result of air being trapped under plates
explain how to select the correct cushion mount for a particular job
explain how to eliminate low spots
explain how to minimise press bounce in jobs that are mounted more than one across
list some possible causes of print slur
explain how to prevent or minimise plate lifting
explain the method used to make registering the job easier on the press
locate machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task, and explain the information contained in them
identify other sources of available information.
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 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 | 1.1, 2.1, 3.2, 4.2 | Recognises and interprets text to establish job requirements from information contained within relevant procedures and specifications |
Writing | 1.3 | Completes workplace forms accurately |
Numeracy | 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.4 | Uses simple mathematical calculations and arranges sequential numerical information |
Navigate the world of work | 4.8 | Complies with legislative requirements and follows organisational policies and procedures relevant to own role |
Get the work done | 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.4, 4.1-4.8 | Takes responsibility for planning and organising own workload, identifying ways of sequencing and combining elements for greater efficiency and assembles required resources Responds to predictable problems and implements standard or logical solutions related to role in immediate work environment Reads data from electronic monitoring and control systems |
Sectors
Printing