MEM234003A
Design machines and ancillary equipment

This unit of competency covers the design of machines and ancillary equipment. It includes sustainability implications, occupational health and safety (OHS), modelling and calculations, use of software, product analysis and product life cycle design, investigating, generating ideas, synthesis, prototype completion and manufacture and evaluation.

Application

This unit applies to the design of any significant machinery and ancillary equipment for domestic, commercial, industrial, medical, military or entertainment purposes. Design activities may also include reverse engineering, design rectification or modifications of an existing design. Activities include the design of specific machine elements, such as shafts, bearings, brakes, clutches, springs, pressure vessels, flywheels, and may also include selection of ancillary equipment, such as motors, pumps and valves.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Clarify the design task and elaborate the specification

1.1

Establish, in consultation with client, required features of machine and ancillary equipment

1.2

Determine parameters to the brief or contract

1.3

Determine stakeholders to be consulted in design process

1.4

Assess OHS, regulatory, sustainability or environmental issues relevant to design task

1.5

Confirm design brief, including budget and schedule, and provide preliminary advice on feasibility

2

Perform design analysis and prepare concept proposals

2.1

Carry out initial investigations and measurements

2.2

Using current industrial design techniques carry out required modelling and calculations using appropriate software

2.3

Generate a range of solutions to the design brief

2.4

Check feasibility and evaluate solutions against design criteria ensuring conformity to standards and codes, technical, economic and OHS requirements

2.5

Determine, social and sustainability implications of solutions

2.6

Review concept proposals with client and identify preferred solution

3

Design machines or equipment

3.1

Finalise selected machine or equipment design, including ensuring preparation of all required documentation, drawings, specifications and instructions

3.2

Consult with client and stakeholders to obtain sign-off on design

3.3

Monitor installation and commissioning with stakeholders and make any necessary adjustments to design

Required Skills

Required skills

Required knowledge includes:

determining features of machines or equipment, including OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

interpreting parameters to the brief or contract

researching latest trends and techniques in:

machine and equipment design

reverse engineering

sustainability issues and implications for machine and equipment design

materials

assembly, fabrication and construction techniques

lean and other quality techniques

latest relevant modelling and other software

investigating and presenting options

investigating faults in existing designs and proposing solutions

selecting and using software and validation techniques, including 2-D and 3-D modelling

creating design solutions to match client expectations of innovation as well as fitness for purpose

designing for servicing, maintainability, cost, manufacturability and assembly, and ease of operation

applying calculus to engineering design solutions requiring computations, such as rate of change, moments of inertia and friction forces

evaluating solutions for feasibility against design criteria, including relevant engineering and financial calculations and analysis

selecting materials, equipment and sub-assemblies based on availability, price and performance characteristics

applying graphical techniques, such as those required by dynamic balancing diagrams

communicating, negotiating and reviewing with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement of proposal and sign-off on design

documenting design with drawings, specifications and instructions

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

contemporary engineering design methods

research and investigations methods

techniques for:

continuous improvement

problem solving and decision making

root cause analysis (RCA) or failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) or design review based on failure mode (DRBFM), and Pareto analysis

engineering design software options

software validation processes

documentation, drawings, specifications and instructions

OHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards, risk minimisation and registration requirements.

machine element assembly arrangements and methods

fastening and sealing methods

gear design standards and techniques

strength and stress analysis

shaft design

forces, stresses and deflections of coil springs

stresses in thick-walled pressurise vessels and cylinders subject to shrink and press fitting

disk, hydraulic and cone clutches

velocity and acceleration analysis of mechanisms

ergonomics principles

materials selection

failure modes

Evidence Required

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

determine features of machines or equipment, OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

generate design solutions

interpret parameters to the brief or contract

research current design trends and sustainability implications

investigate options for machine and equipment design

measure, model, calculate and analyse using software and validation techniques

innovate and create solutions

evaluate solutions for feasibility against design criteria

communicate, negotiate and review with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement of proposal and sign-off on design.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.


Range Statement

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.

Client

Client may be:

internal or external to the designer’s organisation

Parameters to the design brief

The design brief may include the design of new equipment or fault analysis, rectification or modification to an existing design. Parameters to the design brief may include:

determination of the degree of innovation and creativity expected by the client

design process limits and budgets

product cost limits and budgets

performance specifications

equipment availability, capacities and restrictions

specified administrative, communication and approval procedures

other special features and limits in the design brief

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental issues

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental issues may include:

OHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

industry codes of practice

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative OHS impact on employees, community and customer

state and territory regulatory requirements

Range of solutions

Range of solutions may include those that:

satisfy the technical requirements of the design brief

are within budget

are able to be manufactured

meet any regulatory requirements

minimise environmental and sustainability impacts

Current industrial design techniques

Current industrial design techniques may relate to:

sustainability and energy conservation

life cycle design and recyclable components

maintainability, manufacturability and reliability

use of current codes and standards and risk minimisation

developments in design techniques and design software along with software validation techniques

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular design task


Sectors

Engineering practice


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.