MEM234004A
Design for engineering-related noise and vibration mitigation

This unit of competency covers the design of noise and vibration mitigation systems for product, plant and equipment to ensure satisfactory operation, safety and comfort of people using, or in the proximity of the product, plant and equipment.

Application

This unit applies to the design of products, plant and equipment across all forms of manufacturing and engineering. Design activities may also include reverse engineering, design rectification or modifications of an existing design. The unit includes the selection and use of appropriate measuring and monitoring equipment, modelling and calculations, and incorporation of noise and vibration mitigation techniques into designs.

This unit does not cover structural or civil engineering-related noise mitigation techniques, such as the design of noise barriers and anechoic chambers.

Prior experience in application of scientific principles, mathematics, measurement and evaluation of noise and vibration, computer software and file handling is required.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Clarify the design brief and specifications for noise and vibration mitigation

1.1

Establish features of product, plant or equipment design specification likely to generate noise and vibration

1.2

Confirm technical, commercial and environmental parameters to the brief or contract

1.3

Determine stakeholders to be consulted in design process

1.4

Assess occupational health and safety (OHS), regulatory, sustainability or environmental regulations and issues relevant to noise and vibration mitigation design task

1.5

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

2

Evaluate design analysis and prepare concept proposals

2.1

Appraise initial qualitative and quantitative analysis of the design task using appropriate equipment and techniques

2.2

Carry out required modelling and calculations using appropriate software and validation techniques

2.3

Generate a range of noise and vibration mitigation 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

Present concept proposals to client

3

Design for noise and vibration mitigation

3.1

Evaluate concept proposals with client

3.2

Ensure that design solution is optimised with respect to the noise and vibration mitigation design task

3.3

Finalise noise and vibration mitigation design, including ensuring preparation of all required documentation, drawings, specifications and instructions

3.4

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

3.5

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

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include:

interpreting features of plant and equipment and parameters to the brief or contract

advising clients based on discipline knowledge and OHS and regulatory standards

researching sustainability implications and current industrial design techniques

designing noise and vibration mitigation solutions

assessing features of plant and equipment designs that generate or decrease noise and vibration

assessing a brief or contract specifications and the limits and constraints they impose on the ability to achieve noise and vibration mitigation in a design

determining OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

selecting appropriate noise measurement and testing equipment and techniques

selecting appropriate vibration measurement and testing techniques

modelling and calculating using appropriate software and validation techniques

generating and evaluating a range of solutions for feasibility against design criteria

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

investigating faults in existing designs and arriving at solutions

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

common sources of noise and vibration in plant and equipment

features of plant or equipment in relation to noise and vibration mitigation

feasibility and evaluation methods and design criteria

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

noise and vibration modeling and calculation techniques

current options and trends in performance analysis, modelling and simulation software, including underpinning program techniques, including software validation

physiological effects of noise and vibration

risk factors for vibration and the human body

industrial health and safety – audiometric testing

noise and vibration concepts, such as vibration, noise, transmission of noise and vibration, and harmonic excitation

sources of noise generation in plant and equipment

noise mitigation, such as hearing protection, insulation, enclosures, fans and ducts

sources of vibrations in plant and equipment

vibration mitigation and shock control measures

options for noise reduction in machine design (rotor bearing positioning)

statistical energy analysis (SEA)

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

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:

design noise and vibration mitigation solution

interpret features of plant and equipment and parameters to the brief or contract

advise client based on discipline knowledge and OHS and regulatory standards

research sustainability implications and current industrial design techniques

determine OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

select, calibrate and set up equipment

investigate and measure

model and calculate using appropriate software and validation techniques

generate and evaluate a range of solutions for feasibility against design criteria

communicate, negotiate and review with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement on 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.

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

Initial qualitative and quantitative analysis

Initial qualitative and quantitative analysis may include:

a hazard and risk analysis related to existing or proposed plant or equipment

routine noise and vibration monitoring data or investigative measurements

Equipment and techniques

Equipment and techniques may include:

data required related to test requirements

spectrum analysis or simple noise measurement of linear sound pressure levels

microphones and preamplifiers

specialist applications requiring supplementary transducers to locate source of noise

noise meters, such as hand-held, a-weighted, noise dose and precision options

recording techniques and equipment for various environments and sound characteristics

calibration

electrodynamics exciter

sinusoidal and random excitation

sub and super harmonics

force testing and structural response

simulated and real environment testing of shock

calibration

Range of noise and vibration mitigation solutions

Range of noise and vibration mitigation solutions may include:

controlling the source

controlling the transmission path

controlling the receiver

changing the operating condition of plant and machinery

vibration isolation

active vibration control

Standards and codes

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

Client

Client may be:

internal or external to the designer’s organisation


Sectors

Engineering practice


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.