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 evaluate moulding tools and processes for safety, economy and fitness for purpose.

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

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

determine parameters and context of moulding tools in manufacturing processes

review design and construction features, functions, applications and limitations of moulding tools

identify principles, design, analysis techniques and software required to evaluate and optimise moulding tools and related manufacturing processes

evaluate WHS, regulatory and risk management compliance

report and document results.

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, 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 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 not only able 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 role and performance requirements of moulding tools in manufacturing processes

reviewing moulding tool design and construction

reviewing features and functions of moulding tool in relation to products produced with the tool and any limitations of moulding tools in the related manufacturing processes

selecting and using appropriate analysis techniques and software for evaluation and optimisation of moulding tools and related manufacturing processes

identifying WHS, regulatory and risk management compliance

investigating sustainability implications of moulding tools and associated manufacturing processes

assessing use of moulding tools for integration with:

lean manufacturing systems and techniques

manufacturing control software, such as system control and data acquisition (SCADA) software

applying systems thinking, continuous improvement, and constraint and contingency management to evaluation of moulding tools

reporting and documenting scoping, principles and techniques identification and evaluation of tooling and related manufacturing processes, tooling graphics and models

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

design parameters, construction features, functions and context of moulding tools in manufacturing operations

sources of technical and professional assistance

WHS and regulatory compliance requirements, and risk management practices for moulding tools and related manufacturing and maintenance processes

sustainability and lean systems implications for mould tooling and related manufacturing processes

range of moulding processes that use tooling, including:

injection moulding

blow moulding

extrusion moulding

compression moulding

rotational moulding

thermoform (vacuum) moulding

die casting

low volume and manual moulding

moulding tool design features, functions and manufacturing techniques

CAD design software and techniques, including software for:

analysis

mould flows

heat dissipation

injection moulds process, including:

design features, functions and limitations

properties of materials for injection moulded components

enhanced injection moulding tools and processes

blow moulds, including continuous and intermittent parison extrusion moulding, injection and stretch blow moulds:

enhanced blow moulding tools and techniques

properties of blow moulding materials)

extrusion moulds, including:

design features, functions and limitations

properties of extruded materials

compression moulds, including compression injection moulds:

design features functions and limitations

properties of materials for compression moulding

rotating moulds:

design features functions and limitations

properties of materials for rotating moulded components, including acetal copolymer (POM)

thermoforming (vacuum) moulds:

design features, functions and limitations

properties of materials for thermoformed components including amorphous thermoplastics and semicrystalline materials, with clearly defined melting points

low volume moulds (e.g. flexible, laid up and sprayed shell moulds)

die casting moulds:

design features functions and limitations

properties of materials for hot chamber die cast components

properties of materials for cold chamber die cast components

analysis techniques, software and software validation techniques

systems thinking, continuous improvement, problem solving and decision making, and constraint and contingency management principles and techniques

reporting and documentation requirements

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.

Features and functions of moulding tools

Features and functions of moulding tools include:

materials used in their construction

method of manufacture (e.g. welding and machining)

dimensions and tolerances

method of installation and any capacity for operator adjustment during use

method of adjustment for production changeover

the degree of training of operators required before use of the moulding tool

any limitations on the use of the moulding tool

cost of manufacture

Injection moulded components

Injection moulded components include:

all thermoplastics

some thermosets and elastomers

metal powders, such as low alloy and stainless steels, soft magnetic and controlled expansion alloys

Enhanced injection moulding tools and processes

Enhanced injection moulding tools and processes may include:

multi-component and hard-soft injection moulding

microcellular foamed materials

powder injection moulding (PIM)

metal injection moulding (MIM)

gas or water assisted injection

Enhanced blow moulding tools and techniques

Enhanced injection moulding tools and processes may include:

multi-component and hard-soft injection moulding

microcellular foamed materials

powder injection moulding (PIM)

metal injection moulding (MIM)

gas or water assisted injection

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:

WHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

state and territory regulatory requirements

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular moulding tool and process task

Appropriate technical and professional assistance

Appropriate technical and professional assistance may include:

technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:

high pressure

energised fluid vessels

high temperatures and heat energy capacity

wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage

professional support for technologies, such as:

specialist electric motor drives and controllers

specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials

special processes, foundry, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening

Sustainability

Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:

meeting all regulatory requirements

conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides

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 WHS impact on employees, community and customer

Systems thinking

Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect, outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain

Continuous improvement implementation

Continuous improvement implementation may relate to plant, products, processes, systems or services, including design, development, implementation or manufacture, commissioning, operation or delivery and maintenance.

Improvement processes may include techniques, such as:

balanced scorecard

current and future state mapping

measuring performance against benchmarks

process improvement, problem solving and decision making

data management, generation, recording, analysing, storing and use of software

training for improvement systems participation

technical training

Constraints and contingencies

Constraints and contingencies may be:

financial

organisational, procedural or cultural

physical constraints, such as limits to resources, limits to site access or logistical limitations

Lean principles

Lean principles affecting tooling and related processes include:

tooling and processing costs

capacity and responsiveness to product demand

quality of product

reliability of tooling, process and supply

waste minimisation which includes ease of tool change