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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

interpret features and functions of the application and parameters to the brief or contract

determine sustainability, automation safety, OHS, regulatory and risk management

research and test system components

investigate and measure, model and calculate for options

generate and evaluate a range of solutions

design PLC system solution

implement systems thinking, continuous improvement and constraint and contingency management

select system components

prototype and systematically program and test system component function

ensure automation safety, using appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance

communicate, negotiate and review with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement on proposal and sign-off on design

document design with drawings, specifications and instructions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

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.

Required skills

Required skills include:

determining the features and functions of the PLC application, including OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

interpreting parameters to the brief or contract

researching latest trends and techniques in application of PLCs, PLC functions and programming options

researching latest trends and techniques in reverse engineering

investigating and measuring, modelling and calculating for options

investigating faults in existing designs and arriving at solutions

prototyping and systematically programming and testing actuators and interfaces, input sensor/transducers, communications and network connections, human machine interfaces (HMIs) and graphical user interfaces (GUIs)

generating a range of solutions and evaluating them for feasibility against design criteria, engineering practice and financial analysis

selecting actuators, interfaces, microcontroller, sensor/transducers, signal conditioning, HMIs, communication and network software and connections, if required

communicating, negotiating and reviewing with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement on proposal and sign-off on design

documenting design with drawings, specifications and instructions

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

contemporary engineering PLC application design methods

automation fundamentals, including mechanical, electrical, electronic and information technologies, sensor/transducers, controllers, interfacing and signal conditioning, networking (if required), software, data sharing and control functions

features and capability of plant, equipment, controllers, software, network and communication systems

OHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards, risk management and registration requirements

processes for investigation, developing options, modelling and calculating, generating a range of solutions, completing feasibility and evaluation studies, and preparing proposals

use of techniques for:

continuous improvement

problem solving and decision making

root cause analysis (RCA) or failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) or design review based on failure mode (DRBFM), and Pareto analysis

communications and control systems standards, protocols and programming

system logic as flow charts and state diagrams

specifications for inputs/outputs (I/O)

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.

Client

Client may be:

internal or external to the designer’s organisation

Parameters to the brief

The design brief may include the design of new equipment or fault analysis, rectification or modification to an existing design. Parameters to the design brief may include:

determination of the degree of innovation and creativity expected by the client

design process limits and budgets

product cost limits and budgets

performance specifications

equipment availability, capacities and restrictions

specified administrative, communication and approval procedures

other special features and limits in the design brief

PLC solutions

PLC solutions may include consideration of:

I/O capacity

I/O module types:

discrete

special

signal conditioning

interface requirements

control functions

system integration

communication protocols

automation safety

network topology

programming languages

Applications

Applications may include:

control of machines, equipment or processes that may have thermodynamic, hydrodynamic, fluid power or mechanical system elements

control functions:

digital

analog

feedback loops

communications networks and remote control

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental issues

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental issues may include:

OHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

industry codes of practice

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative OHS impact on employees, community and customer

state and territory regulatory requirements