This unit applies to the skills and knowledge required to select appropriate materials used in manufacture, repair or rebuilding of upright, grand and player pianos. These materials include timber, metal, plastics, synthetic fasteners, adhesives, surface coatings and hardware. This unit applies in a workplace and on-site environment and may be conducted in a small to large scale enterprise.

Applications may include some complex or non routine activities involving individual responsibility or autonomy and/or collaboration with others through members of groups or teams.

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ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine materials requirements

1.1. Types of materials may include timber, metal, felt, synthetics and other materials used in the construction and repair of pianos.

1.2. Characteristics of timber, metal and synthetic materials used in piano construction are analysed according to structural and aesthetic requirements according to workplace documentation.

1.3. Client requirements and desires are reviewed, confirmed and clarified

2. Select and use fasteners

2.1. Work instructions are used to determine job requirements for fasteners, including design, colour, finish process and quality

2.2. Fasteners are applied according to workplace requirements.

2.3. Work site is set up according to the task, including preparation of required material and selection of holding and supporting equipment.

2.4. Work is placed and held or supported in position for fastener application.

2.5. Tools are selected and used to attach fasteners, according to their safety and effecting intended purposes.

2.6. Personal protective equipment is selected, correctly fitted and used.

3. Select and use adhesives

3.1. Adhesives are selected according to workplace requirement

3.2. Work site is set up according to the task, including preparation of required materials and selection of holding and supporting equipment

3.3. Work is placed and held or supported in position for adhesive application

3.4. Personal protective equipment is selected, correctly fitted and used

3.5. OHS requirements that apply to the safe application of adhesives are identified and followed.

3.6. Adhesives are applied using clamping techniques, as required.

4. Identify surface coatings and finishes for pianos

4.1. Surface coatings - used for both interior and exterior finishing on piano components are identified, with preparation, application and durability

4.2. Furniture finishes used are investigated for requirements

5. Identify hardware

5.1. Work requirements are used to determine hardware needs for piano construction and repair

6. Clean up work area

6.1. All tools, materials and other equipment are checked, cleaned and returned to their appropriate location

6.2. Work area is cleared and waste removed

6.3. Workplace documentation is completed and filed

Required skills

communicate with supervisor and customer to:

confirm work orders and instructions

identify problems

report outcomes of selecting and applying hardware and fixings

work with others and in a team to select and apply hardware and fixings

use pre-checking and inspection techniques to anticipate production problems, avoid reworking and wastage

participate in establishing new ideas and work specifications for selecting and applying hardware and fixings

plan and organise activities to avoid any backtracking, work flow interruptions, rework or wastage, including preparation and layout of the worksite and selection of tools, equipment and materials

manage own work performance to:

follow OHS and workplace practices

plan and organise work schedules and routines

maintain required production output

assess quality of own work

adapt to new skill requirements

research and apply new ideas and techniques

use workplace technology related to selecting and applying hardware and fixings including specified tools, equipment, calculators and measuring devices

Required knowledge

State or Territory OHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for selecting and applying hardware and fixings

organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for applying hardware and fixings

reading and interpreting workplace documents including work orders, work instructions and operator instructions

environmental protection requirements relating to the disposal of waste material

established lines of communication and protocols

types, characteristics, uses, limitations and preparation of materials and equipment used in piano repair and manufacture

types of tools and equipment used to apply hardware and fixings and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance

characteristics of hardware and fixings and their use

problem identification and resolution

set up and operation of tools and equipment used for applying hardware and fixings

storage systems and labelling

procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information

appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Locate, interpret and apply information relevant to selection and use of materials, fasteners, hardware and adhesives for piano repair and manufacture

Identify, select and apply at least 3 types of fasteners and adhesives to appropriate materials

Identify surface coatings and finishes used in piano repair and manufacture

Communicate and work with others in the work area

Apply safe handling practices and safe operating procedures for equipment, products and materials to:

minimise the risk of injury to self or others

prevent damage to goods, equipment and products

Clean tools, equipment and work area

Maintain and repair a range of hand and power tools used in piano repair

Apply OHS practices when using hand and power tools, holding and support equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment may occur on the job or in a simulated workplace environment in accordance with work practices and safety requirements

Assessment is to occur under standard work practices, and to comply with legislative and regulatory requirements.

The following resources should be made available:

hand and power tools used in the repair and manufacture of pianos

materials used in the repair and manufacture of pianos

safety and personal protective equipment

holding and supporting equipment

workplace location or simulated workplace

Method of assessment

Assessment must confirm consistency (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) in application of skills and knowledge when:

organising work

completing tasks according to instructions

working systematically with attention to detail

identifying improvements and avoiding damage

using workplace practices

using OHS practices

assessing operational readiness of tools and equipment

recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions

Assessment must include a variety of project or work activities that allow the candidate to demonstrate competency in the unit

Assessment should be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on required knowledge and skills to ensure correct interpretation and application.

Assessment should be conducted over time and may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate performing a variety of work tasks that involve the use of different hand and power tools, materials and equipment

oral and written questions about the safe and effective use of fasteners, adhesives, surface coatings and finishes, and hardware, the appropriateness of various tools for particular jobs, and maintenance and storage of materials, tools and equipment

review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of the candidate's on-the-job performance

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Timber may include:

spruce, ebony, beech, birch, hardwood, softwood, veneers, chipboard and MDF

Metal may include:

aluminium, steel, solders, cast iron, brass

Felts may include:

wool, synthetic

Synthetics may include:

plastic (keys, bushings, damper head, damper flanges, hammer butt, jack, jack flange, capstone)

Other materials may include:

ivory, leather

Characteristics of timber may include:

density, moisture content, grain, shrinkage, knots

Structural requirements may include:

hardness, density

Aesthetic requirements may include:

growth rings, veneers, medullary rays, colour, grain patterns

Fasteners may include:

screws (head, slot, machine and thread types), nails (panel pins)

Adhesives may include:

animal (horse, fish), PVA, contact, expoxy, casein, latex

Work site may include:

workshop or factory location or onsite at client's premises

Holding and supporting equipment may include:

portable workbench, clamps, vices, gripper mats

Personal protective equipment may include:

Safety glasses, goggles, hearing protection, safety footwear, protective clothing, gloves, respiratory protection.

OHS requirements may include:

relevant Federal, State or Territory OHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice, and workplace policies and procedures including the use of personal protection equipment, hazard and risk control and manual handling.

Clamping techniques may include:

sash, 'G', spring, pipe

Surface coatings may include:

shellack, single pack, polyurethane (two pack), nitro-cellulose and pre-catalysed lacquers, woodgrain fillers, stains, oils, enamels, acrylics

Finishes may include:

high gloss, gloss, satin, matt, limed, pigmented

Hardware may include:

locks, hinges - butt, escutcheon inserts, sliding rollers/runners, knobs, handles, finger guards, castors

Workplace documentation may include:

Time sheets, customer cards, work orders including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs, tool maintenance records and schedules

Unit sector

Piano Technology

This unit contains employability skills.