Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to prepare, operate and monitor a knitting machine.
The unit of competency applies to the preparation, operation, monitoring and adjusting of a commercial knitting machine used in the production of knitted textile products.
Work is conducted according to defined procedures. Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Prepare to perform knitting operations | 2.1 | Check specifications and machine settings to meet requirements for production and workplace procedures |
2.2 | Identify, check and load yarns onto the knitting machine according to manufacturer specifications | ||
2.3 | Report non-conforming materials and keep area around machine clean during setting and loading | ||
3 | Operate and monitor machine | 3.1 | Start, stop and monitor knitting machine according to manufacturer requirements and workplace procedures |
3.2 | Check and replace yarn supply to ensure continuous flow to machine | ||
3.3 | Sort waste and identify, correct and report minor product process and machine faults | ||
3.4 | Report major machine faults | ||
3.5 | Check product against quality specifications and identify faults or non-conformance | ||
3.6 | Rectify or report product faults | ||
4 | Complete knitting process | 4.1 | Unload or remove product according to manufacturer specifications |
4.2 | Despatch product to next process | ||
4.3 | Clean and maintain work environment according to workplace procedures | ||
4.4 | Complete production records and other documentation, as required | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:
reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe work practices
applying relevant standards
checking machine settings to meet production requirements
loading yarns onto the knitting machine according to production requirements and manufacturer specifications
operating and monitoring knitting machine according to defined procedures and methods, on at least two (2) occasions
making minor adjustments
checking product against quality standards
loading and unloading products according to workplace procedures
sorting waste, and recognising, rectifying and reporting machine or product faults or problems, as required
despatching product to next process
cleaning and maintaining work environment according to workplace procedures
completing production records and other documentation, as required.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
relevant Australian Standards
procedures and guidelines for safe operation of knitting machine
typical fault conditions and related fault-finding procedures
types and styles of yarns used in knitted products
faults in knitting
machine maintenance and repair techniques
technical specifications manuals
quality standards and practices
workplace procedures
recording and reporting practices.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment, as set by the VET regulator
have vocational competency in performing knitting operations, at least to the level being assessed, with relevant industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following: | requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions PPE oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Product requirements for knitting include one or more of the following: | flat knitting circular knitting colour pattern size stitch gauge tension weft knits warp knits plain, purl, double and tricot knit sock knitting full garment |
Yarns for knitting include one or more of the following: | wool nylon acrylic polypropylene polyester cotton viscose blends |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Textile production