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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to electroplate decorative finishes. Competency in this unit cannot be claimed until all prerequisites have been satisfied.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

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 an appropriate simulation 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. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

This unit could be assessed in conjunction with any other units addressing the safety, quality, communication, materials handling, recording and reporting associated with electroplating decorative finishes or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.

Method of assessment

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Guidance information for assessment

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

maintaining equipment

maintaining satisfactory electrical contact

planning and sequencing work operation

reading and interpreting routine information on written job instructions, specifications and standard operating procedures. May include drawings

following oral instructions

entering routine and familiar information onto proformas and standard workplace forms

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

specific pre-treatment processes - common base metals/soils, chemical/mechanical

effect of decorative treatment on different metals

functions of strikes/activation treatment

process parameters, including current computations

effects of parameters on performance

post treatment processes

Australian standards

application of different equipment to the type of work processed

acceptable appearances including final specification/quality

abnormalities

requirements for post treatments

types of defects

factors affecting plate distribution

purpose and application of simple control tests

calculations for additions/adjustments to solutions

effects of adding chemicals too quickly

purification procedures/treatments

operation of anodes, arrangements, remedial action

effects of build-up on cathode contacts, damage to rack coatings

any applicable industry standards, national/Australian standards, NOHSC guides, state/territory regulatory codes of practice/standards

use and application of personal protective equipment

safe work practices and procedures

relevant hazards and control measures related to the competency

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.

Decorative finishes

Decorative finishes would include nickel, chrome, copper, silver, gold and rhodium

Treatment processes

Pre-treatment, electroplating, electroforming, electroless plating, electrophoretic coating, post treatment plating out, carbon and chemical treatments for decorative finish solutions

Pre-plating treatments

Pre-treatments for common base metals and soils can be given, including degreasing, soak/cleaning, electrolytic cleaning, activating dips

Equipment

Wire racks, handling equipment, barrels, jigs, shields, robbers, etc. Performance requirements and basic maintenance checks for rectifier, bus bars, agitation, heating/cooling, extraction and tank linings

Operating parameters

Calculation and setting of treatment times and currents, bath pH, temperatures and densities, agitation rate, process (deposition) time, solution levels and compositions, purification procedures

Abnormalities

Abnormalities associated with decorative plating and their causes, including poor/uneven brightness/texture, inadequate levelling, roughness, pitting, poor adhesion, blistering, burning, poor plate coverage (particularly chromium), incorrect colour (particularly flash brass, gold)

Maintain solutions

Typical tests for pH density and titration, calculation of adjustments to relevant solutions

Solution compositions

Cleaning, pickling, electroplating, chromate solutions and acid dips

Anodes

Soluble, insoluble auxiliary anodes, etc.

Maintain equipment

Anode condition, electrical contacts etc.

Process transfer equipment

Baskets, spreader bars, racks, hooks etc.