Application
This unit of competency applies to operators who are responsible for determining production requirements and quantities from production schedules and product requirements from specifications or similar documents. This unit involves the hand moulding of clay, ceramic, plaster and other products and may also be relevant to craft practitioners producing ceramic work. This competency is typically performed by operators working either independently or as part of a team. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Assemble and prepare the mould or former | 1.1. Establish a safe working environment to procedures 1.2. Identify and prepare the appropriate mould or former 1.3. Level and secure the mould or former to procedures 1.4. Check that the base is stabilised and correctly mounted as required to facilitate rolling or turning out 1.5. Position inserts or loose pieces as required 1.6. Apply the correct stripping agent |
2. Mould materials | 2.1. Prepare the material mix or obtain the material from the batch preparation unit 2.2. Provide an adequate supply of material to meet production requirements 2.3. Introduce material to the workpiece cavity and compact to procedures 2.4. Check inserts or loose pieces and secure to avoid movement during moulding 2.5. Employ safe working practices consistent with procedures 2.6. Roll and strip/turn out the component for finishing |
3. Finish the component/ product | 3.1. Repair defects occurring during the moulding process 3.2. Remove inserts or loose pieces and replace in mould or former 3.3. Prepare the surface of the component for the application of any surface finishes 3.4. Cure or dry the components to specification 3.5. Return mould and/or segments for re-use or storage in accordance with requirements |
4. Rectify routine problems | 4.1. Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation 4.2. Determine and rectify fault causes according to procedures 4.3. Identify and rectify equipment failure causes according to procedures 4.4. Make sure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet procedures 4.5. Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person |
5. Inspect and store components | 5.1. Inspect component for defects 5.2. Store the component to specifications and procedures |
Required Skills
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Required skills |
Required skills include: recognising abnormal operating conditions and alerting appropriate individuals implementing enterprise procedures and relevant regulatory requirements within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the equipment/process reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information |
Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes: appropriate preparation and handling of moulds and formers preparation of adequate material mix and standards preparing, curing and drying components to specifications safe completion of hand moulding products appropriate safety procedures concerning the handling of moulds and formers procedures relating to the reporting of hazardous conditions the content of and handling characteristics of the materials being moulded |
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 | The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that: types of raw materials and finishing materials are able to be identified OHS and safe work practices are followed component movements are accompanied by appropriate safe working practices preparation of moulds and moulding materials to specification basic mould or former maintenance and inspection practices are carried out. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation. Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions. |
Method of assessment | Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes. |
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. | |
Procedures | All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions |
Typical problems | Typical problems may include: maintaining correct distribution and compaction of materials maintaining sectional profiles in accordance with specifications maintaining cleanliness and specification of materials |
Occupational health and safety (OHS) | All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence |
Sectors
Unit sector | Operational/technical |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.