PMBPREP201
Prepare moulds for composites production


Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to perform demoulding and preparation of composite moulds.

This unit of competency applies to production support, operators or those in similar roles who are required to check moulds for conformity to requirements, prepare mould surfaces gel coating or thermoforming, check materials are correct, recognise and resolve routine problems to procedure and complete logs and reports.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor, as appropriate.

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

Check work requirements

1.1

Identify work requirements from production plan or request

1.2

Check mould, materials and equipment meet requirements for job

1.3

Recognise requirements which may not be in accordance with usual practice

1.4

Ask questions of appropriate person to confirm unusual practice

1.5

Identify hazards associated with the job and take appropriate action

2

Prepare mould surfaces

2.1

Prepare surfaces to procedures

2.2

Make temporary repairs of minor mould surface defects as needed

2.3

Clean up equipment and work area when surface preparation is completed

3

Apply mould release system, as required

3.1

Select the correct system for the job

3.2

Apply to mould surfaces in accordance with manufacturer specifications

3.3

Tape-test the surface release system

4

Mask-up mould

4.1

Select suitable masking tape

4.2

Apply masking tape and other materials

5

Respond to routine problems to procedures

5.1

Recognise known faults that occur during the operation

5.2

Identify and take action on causes of routine faults

5.3

Log problems as required

5.4

Identify non-routine process and quality problems and take appropriate action

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 demonstrate the ability to:

select, set up and use the equipment according to procedures

select and prepare materials and prepare mould surfaces to meet job specifications

select and use tools and equipment to meet job specifications

identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls

apply safety procedures

apply housekeeping procedures

apply waste management procedures

recognise out of specification products, process problems and materials faults

identify when the operator is able to rectify faults, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance

take action to resolve faults or report faults to appropriate personnel

distinguish between possible causes of routine faults, including:

raw material variations

contamination of raw material

process problems

mechanical abnormalities

instrument failure/wrong reading

communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors.


Evidence of Knowledge

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to operate under routine only supervision and to solve routine problems, including knowledge of:

types of mould release systems and appropriate application techniques for each

waste management and the importance of re-using non-conforming products wherever possible

factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies

routine and non-routine problems that may arise, the range of possible causes and processes to develop solutions

organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.


Assessment Conditions

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with units such as:

teamwork

communication.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations and provide for demonstration of responding to problems

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report or other evidence, focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

must include the use of industry appropriate tools, equipment, data and documentation

may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

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 that reflects 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 in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from demonstration of skills and one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews.

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.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment shall demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they shall assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on the job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.


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.

Regulatory framework

The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used.

Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include:

health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, manual handling and hazardous materials

Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made

any relevant licence and certification requirements

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 such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence.

Procedures

All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures.

Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or any combination of:

emergency procedures

work instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

safe work method statements (SWMS)

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant.

Tools and equipment

Tools and equipment include one or more of:

applicators (such as brushes and spray gun)

cleaning tools (such as plastic scrapers, buffs and polishers)

cutters

measuring devices

relevant personal protective equipment (PPE).

Problems

Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions.

Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of:

mould damage/cracks on the mould

equipment wear and breakage

overuse of tools, requiring rework

build up on mould surface

variations in materials or contamination of materials.

Known solutions are drawn from one or more of:

procedures

training

remembered experience.

Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures.

Hazards

Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of:

heat, smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards

hazardous products and materials

sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

electricity

gas

gases and liquids under pressure

structural hazards

equipment failures

machinery, equipment and product mass

limited head spaces or overhangs

working at heights

working in restricted or confined spaces

other hazards that might arise.


Sectors

Not applicable


Competency Field

Preparation