The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This competency also requires evidence of competency in the selection of appropriate processes for various scenarios. The scenarios should be relevant to the application of metallurgy to the joining process and may be drawn directly from the workplace or may be simulated case studies.

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:

select appropriate joining process

justify the selection of that process

ask appropriate questions to determine the required information.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

several scenarios requiring the selection of different processes have been completed successfully

Relationship to other units

This unit may be assessed concurrently with other relevant units.

Assessment method and context

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the elements, performance criteria, skills and knowledge. A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Assessors should gather sufficient, fair, valid, reliable, authentic and current evidence from a range of sources. Sources of evidence may include direct observation, reports from supervisors, peers and colleagues, project work, samples, organisation records and questioning. Assessment should not require language, literacy or numeracy skills beyond those required for the unit.

The assessee will have access to all techniques, procedures, information, resources and aids which would normally be available in the workplace.

The method of assessment should be discussed and agreed with the assessee prior to the commencement of assessment.

Resource implications

This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to a situation where moulds are used. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

identify and ask questions which will lead stakeholders to describe the key factors and properties required

communicate technical information both with technical and non-technical stakeholders who may be customers or managers

Write to the level of reading technical information and writing technical reports and production specifications

understand and interpret numeric data.

Required knowledge:

Competence in this unit requires knowledge of the principles, strengths and weaknesses and typical applications of:

Metal Joining without parent metal fusion including soldering, brazing&adhesives

Solid phase welding&diffusion bonding including time, temperature, pressure, deformation, friction welding, explosive welding, ultrasonic welding, butterwelding

Metal Joining - Fusion welding including heat sources, atmosphere, arc, gas, laser, electroslag, MIG and TIG welding, use of heat blankets

Heat effects of metal joining processes including heat flow, heat affected zone, weld pool solidification etc;

Weldability, testing, weld defects including solidification cracking, heat affected zone hot tearing, hydrogen cracking, lamellar tearing, porosity, heat treatment cracking, weld decay, stress corrosion cracking, brittle fracture, fatigue,

Time-Temperature-Transformation TTT Curves applied to preheat, post heat and post weld heat treatment

Welding&weldability of

carbon steels, low alloy steels&cast irons

aluminium&alloys, copper&alloys

stainless steels&nickel alloys

Residual stresses in welding including causes and elimination

Economic and timeliness factors

Quality

Aesthetics of finish

Technical differences such as:

strength

rigidity

corrosion resistance

grain structure

chemical composition

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.

Codes or practice/standards

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.

Context

This competency applies to metallurgical technicians working in a foundry who may be required to make a recommendation of an appropriate joining process for a metal product. The appropriate process may, or may not be one conducted in a foundry.