Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to set up, adjust and monitor machines used in a textile enterprise. It includes set up for production and the conduct of sample runs, problem solving, repair and preventative maintenance.
This unit of competency applies to the operation of one or more machines and the repair, adjustment, maintenance and testing of the machine/s to ensure efficient working order. Discretion and judgement may be required, for both self and others, in planning and selecting processes, procedures or outcomes.
The application of the unit and the evidence requirements may focus on one or more industry sectors or workplace contexts and will be determined by operational conditions and production requirements.
This unit does not cover all repair and adjustment functions associated with the machine operation. Skills not covered by this unit include repairs or adjustments associated with general engineering (fitting), electrical and electronic systems, and fluid power systems, according to the nature of the set up, repair or adjustment, and the workplace practices of a particular enterprise.
Work may be conducted in a variety of environments, such as operational workplace activities, restricted space, hazardous, controlled or exposed conditions.
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 set up, adjust and maintain machines | 2.1 | Interpret specifications and production requirements to determine required machine settings for textile product |
2.2 | Interpret, reference and apply documentation relating to machine settings, operation and maintenance, according to the needs of the task | ||
2.3 | Select, prepare and use tools appropriate for the machine and task to set up machine for operation | ||
2.4 | Set up machine according to required specifications for operation or product change, including fixing required attachments and operation run at optimum quality and efficiency levels | ||
2.5 | Identify and undertake preliminary operations, as required, and follow required procedures to prepare materials and equipment | ||
2.6 | Instruct machine operators of any special operating requirements | ||
3 | Test machine settings | 3.1 | Start, operate, stop, re-start and monitor machine operations in accordance with manufacturer requirements to produce textile material or product |
3.2 | Operate machine in accordance with manufacturer and workplace instructions to test settings against specifications and operational standards | ||
3.3 | Examine textile materials, fibres, yarn, product or sample to identify required adjustments to machine settings or pattern specifications | ||
3.4 | Conduct or organise quality tests as required to ensure optimal production outcomes are achieved | ||
3.5 | Identify and document required adjustments, and adjust machine settings accordingly | ||
4 | Diagnose problems | 4.1 | Monitor machine operation to assess operational efficiency and safe operation in accordance with workplace procedures |
4.2 | Communicate with operator to identify the nature and extent of machine or faults | ||
4.3 | Assess product to identify faults, and examine textile product to assess possible impact on operational problems | ||
4.4 | Identify and analyse problems and faults to determine root cause | ||
4.5 | Establish fault diagnosis and determine strategy for repair, including replacement of yarn or parts, or refer to relevant personnel | ||
5 | Operate machine and communicate outcomes | 5.1 | Return machine to optimal performance through repair of faulty operation or replacement of fibres, yarn or machine parts |
5.2 | Test machine and produce sample to ensure problems have been fixed | ||
5.3 | Set machine to run at optimum quality and efficiency levels to produce required quantity and quality of product | ||
5.4 | Set electronic process monitoring safely and to correct functions, as required | ||
5.5 | Maintain records and prepare reports, where necessary | ||
5.6 | Document adjustments to machines and patterns and communicate to appropriate personnel | ||
5.7 | Document operational instructions | ||
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, manufacturer operational guidelines
applying relevant standards
interpreting production specifications accurately
performing sample runs and analysing results to ensure quality outcomes
identifying and correcting product related faults and making repairs or corrections, within scope of own responsibilities and manufacturer operational guidelines
identifying and making appropriate machine readjustments and repairs, according to own responsibilities, workplace procedures and manufacturer specifications, on at least two (2) occasions
starting, operating, stopping, re-starting and monitoring at least one (1) machine in accordance with manufacturer requirements to produce textile material or product, on at least two (2) occasions
determining root cause and solving operational problems or referring to relevant personnel
setting and operating machine safely and correctly to run at optimum quality and efficiency levels to produce required quantity and quality of product
applying work health and safety (WHS) and workplace procedures
maintaining accurate records.
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
setting up and adjustment requirements for the identified machine
specifications for operation of particular machines
textile production machines and equipment used in the enterprise:
machines for knitting :
circular knitting machines
electronic and automatic flat knitting machines
machines for spinning:
spinning machines
drawing machines
roving machines
twisting machines
winding machines
carding machines:
burr handling systems
air filtration equipment
combs
doffer waste system
blending systems
compressed air and hydraulic systems
tufting looms:
winding machines
finishing equipment
other ancillary equipment
domestic sewing machines:
lockstitch and chain stitch sewing machines
overlock sewing machines and sergers
high volume automatic and manually operated hem, selvedge and embroidery sewing machines
weaving machines:
weaving looms
broadloom
narrowloom
all shuttle types
Jacquard looms
microprocessor or computer-controlled looms
dyeing machines
finishing machines
ancillary machines typically used in the textile production sector concerned, including:
production and service equipment used in the enterprise
loading and unloading equipment
labelling machine or printer
packaging machine
stud machine
folding machine
typical products produced by textile production machine, including knitting, sewing, weaving, spinning, carding, tufting and finishing machines:
fibres, including polyester, cotton, wool, viscose and rayon
yarns, including ring spun, open-ended spun, air jet spun and friction spun
fabrics
finished products, including socks, sweaters, towels, sheets, blankets, carpets, rope and twine, mops and industrial textiles
product specifications required for machine
machine methods and the various types of effects they can produce
sewing, knitting, weaving, spinning, carding methods and the various types of products and effects they can produce
fibre types and their method of production
fibre attributes and parameters
yarn characteristics, twist and application
yarn counts and quality indicators
fabrics and knit effects
production process and types of production
pattern specifications
factors affecting machine performance, including yarn strength, sizing and ambient conditions
machine manufacturer specifications
fault identification in materials and textile products, and methods of repair, including threading faults, joining of yarn and tensioning, and setting of clearances, limits and fits
identification of machine faults and methods of repair, including removal and replacement of faulty or worn parts, and re-setting or re-programming of controls and sensors
WHS and environmental aspects of relevant enterprise activities
quality 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 setting up, adjusting and monitoring a machine for TCF production, 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 |
WHS practices: | WHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and include one or more of the following: hazard identification induction training hazard control risk assessment implementing risk reduction measures specific to the tasks manual handling techniques SOPs PPE safe materials handling taking of rest breaks ergonomic conditions of workplace following marked walkways safe storage of equipment housekeeping to keep work area safe reporting accidents and incidents environmental practices safe disposal of chemical and hazardous substances |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Textile production