MEM26018A
Organise composite trials

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to trial new materials and processes and make prototypes. The source of these trials may arise from internal improvements or new products/processes from external sources. Regardless, trials need to be conducted to 'prove' it in an industrial environment, to translate research and development into practical processes and to provide appropriate records and metrics.

Application

This unit does not cover the selection of materials or processes but does cover the organising and analysing of trials to prove proposed new materials or processes in the production environment.

Trials may be undertaken by others, with this unit applying to the person organising the trials, or the same person may organise and undertake the trial. Organising the trial may typically be undertaken by an individual in liaison with relevant stakeholders or it may undertaken by a team. Organising of trials may be undertaken partially in an office environment or at the worksite. The trial itself may be undertaken by an individual or a team. It may be undertaken in a workshop or factory environment or in the field and may be used to manufacture new products, prototypes and samples, or to make repairs.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Determine expected outcomes from new/revised product/process

1.1

Identify risks to be controlled

1.2

Identify novel parts of process/materials/properties

1.3

Compare data from past work/trials

1.4

Obtain data for novel part of process/material

1.5

Develop procedures which should produce the required result

2

Determine required metrics from trials

2.1

Determine required process properties

2.2

Determine required business measures

2.3

Determine required sustainability measures

3

Compare proposed process with existing and predict problem areas

3.1

Compare proposed process with existing similar processes

3.2

Identify points of difference

3.3

Identify weaknesses with existing process

3.4

Predict possible problems with trial process/materials

4

Organise appropriate trials

4.1

Determine scale of trial

4.2

Ensure availability of adequate resources

4.3

Organise for the preparation of equipment/materials

4.4

Conduct trial

4.5

Monitor trial and record key observations and metrics

5

Select appropriate manufacturing procedure

5.1

Compare outcome with requirements

5.2

Modify procedure and repeat trial, as required

5.3

Determine procedure which will yield desired results

5.4

Record procedure in appropriate form

5.5

Complete all required reporting and recording

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include:

writing

communicating

interpreting computer-aided design (CAD) model

interpreting data

interpreting design brief

analysing trial results

preparing reports

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

intended outcome of product

design of documents for the floor

design of trials

design test requirements for trial

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

It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

appropriate metrics are determined before commencement of trial

trial procedure has a sound basis

trial procedures, metrics and outcomes are suitably recorded.

Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require the organising of composite trials and analysing and reporting of trial results.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Method of assessment

A single assessment event is not appropriate. On-the-job assessment should be included as part of the assessment process wherever possible. Where assessment occurs off the job, judgement must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways, including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

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.

Procedures

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:

all work instructions

standard operating procedures

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations

Novel part

The novel part is that portion of the process, or the materials or product properties which are new or different to standard and could be:

new resin system on standard reinforcing

new reinforcing with standard resin system

new process using standard materials

standard process and materials producing product with different properties

Process properties

Process properties include:

gel time

viscosity

temperature (e.g. mould, resin and ambient)

infusion time

peak exotherm (e.g. using a laser thermometer)

Scale of trial

Scale of trial may be:

full scale prototype

scaled down prototype

laminate samples only

portion of laminate

Trial resources

Trial resources may include:

equipment

tools

materials

personnel

time

Logs and reports

Logs and reports may include:

paper or electronic based

verbal reports

items found which require action

Appropriate action

Appropriate action includes:

determining problems needing action

determining possible fault causes

rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility

following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

Business measures

Business measures include:

costs

time analysis

quality reliability

Sustainability

Sustainability incorporates the three aspects of:

survival of the ecology/physical environment – which means that an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure the survival of the physical environment

economic viability – efficiency, cost and waste reduction and competitiveness to support survival of the business

social sustainability – an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure its continued survival within the community and the survival of the community, including occupational health and safety (OHS)

Modifying procedure

Modifying procedure may include:

changing resin inlets

changing resin chemistry

changing other materials

modifications to process

modifications to tooling

Typical problems

Typical problems may include:

trial procedures not workable

trial product does not meet specification

trial procedures do not meet sustainability requirements

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence


Sectors

Composites


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.