MEMPE003A
Use oxy-acetylene and soldering equipment

This unit of competency covers the use of an oxy-acetylene torch to cut low carbon/mild steels and to heat the steel to enable bending. It also covers basic silver soldering and brazing.The settings for the oxy-acetylene and heating equipment as well as the materials will be supplied to the learner. No assembly of the oxy-acetylene hoses and gauges will be required.

Application

This unit is designed for use in a pre-employment skills introduction program and is suitable for use in institutional-based vocational programs. Skills development will take place under direct supervision.

This unit is not to be used in a traineeship or apprenticeship training program or associated qualifications. It is only to be used in pre-employment programs and carries no credit towards apprenticeship/trade and other qualification types in manufacturing and engineering.

This unit should be integrated with the work in the project unit MEMPE006A Undertake a basic engineering project, and skills developed when required by the project.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Identify cutting and heating requirements

1.1

Identify cutting and heating requirements in consultation with an instructor/teacher/trainer

1.2

Identify location of heat application in accordance with job requirements

1.3

Confirm application of heat locations with instructor

2

Perform cutting and heating

2.1

Use and wear appropriate personal protective equipment

2.2

Start equipment following given instructions

2.3

Set equipment following given instructions

2.4

Cut and heat materials to pre-determined specifications

2.5

Follow safe working practices

2.6

Store and/or dispose of work materials as instructed

3

Identify silver soldering/brazing requirements

3.1

Identify silver soldering/brazing requirements in consultation with an instructor/teacher/trainer

3.2

Identify location of silver soldering/brazing in accordance with job requirements

3.3

Confirm silver soldering/brazing locations with instructor

4

Prepare for silver soldering/brazing

4.1

Clean and prepare low and mild carbon steel and copper, or similar, ready for silver soldering and brazing

4.2

Set up heating equipment according to given instructions

5

Perform silver soldering and brazing

5.1

Use and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

5.2

Apply safe silver soldering and brazing practices

5.3

Silver solder and braze materials to job requirements

5.4

Clean welds safely

5.5

Store and/or dispose of work materials as instructed

6

Complete work requirements

6.1

Clear work area of waste and clean according to requirements

6.2

Maintain and/or store machines, tools and equipment according to instructions

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include:

preparing materials

setting up oxy-acetylene/heating equipment according to given instructions

using oxy-acetylene equipment to heat, braze and cut metal

silver soldering

reading and interpreting routine information on written job instructions

using measuring skills as required

applying safe working practices

using and applying personal protective equipment

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

safe equipment operation practices

material and equipment preparation requirements

basic marking out techniques

use and care of measuring tools

heating and cutting processes

post-heating and cutting treatments

safe working practices

use and application of personal protective equipment

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

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to prepare materials and use oxy-acetylene and soldering equipment as instructed.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can

work safely

prepare materials

set oxy-acetylene/heating equipment according to given instructions

use oxy-acetylene equipment to heat, braze and cut metal

silver solder

read and interpret routine information on written job instructions

use measuring equipment as required

clean and store equipment as instructed.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in a learning institution.

Assessment must cover the successful use of oxy-acetylene and soldering equipment.

The skills covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone under direct supervision.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

This unit may be assessed in conjunction with any other units addressing the safety, quality, communication, hand tools, machine operation, recording and reporting associated with using oxy-acetylene and soldering equipment.

Method of assessment

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

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

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

Assessment should be in conjunction with assessment of the project unit and other units integrated into the project.

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.

Heating requirements

Heating requirements may include the use of but are not limited heating equipment such as:

oxy-acetylene equipment

LP gas equipment

electrically heated equipment/soldering irons

Safe silver soldering and brazing practices

Safe silver soldering and brazing practices include but are not limited to ensuring the solder being used has no known health risks.


Sectors

Pre-employment

Unit sector


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.