This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to undertake carding operations to process fibres for spinning operations or non-woven web forming operations.

The unit of competency applies to the preparation, operation, monitoring and adjusting of carding machines and equipment used to process fibres. Fibres may be natural or synthetic to be used in woven, knitted, tufted and non-woven 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.

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

operating and monitoring carding machine involving defined procedures and methods on at least two (2) occasions

making minor adjustments

recognising, rectifying and reporting machine or product faults or problems as required

monitoring blending to ensure blending consistency and feed uniformity

monitoring carding operation to ensure correct feed rate and quality of web off-take

sorting waste and observing environmental requirements

checking product samples against standards

loading and unloading products according to workplace practices and production requirements

checking carded fibres against quality standards

unloading or removing carded fibres according to manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures

sending carded fibres for despatch or further processing

cleaning and maintaining work environment according to workplace procedures

completing production records and other documentation, as required.

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 carding machine

typical fault conditions and related fault finding procedures

blending and carding processes

air filtration and waste management systems

machine maintenance and repair techniques

technical specifications manuals

quality standards and practices

workplace procedures

recording and reporting practices.

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 carding 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.

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.

Not applicable

Textile production