This competency applies to operators who collect, blend and prepare rubber compounds for further production processes such as calendering, extrusion and ultimately tyre building, moulding, rubber lining, roller building and conveyor belt manufacture. The key factors are the blending and mixing of the right materials at the right time and ensuring there is no contamination of the materials. This competency is typically performed by operators working either independently or as part of a work team.
The operator will:
check job sheets for compounds to be prepared
collect materials (rubber, oils and chemicals) and assemble them close to the start of the process
check materials to ensure no contamination
weigh and add materials to the mill according to recipe
notice any problems during the production process and take required action (eg reporting)
deal with non-conforming products, waste and scrap
complete logs and reports.
This unit does not include:
Calendering, extrusion and tyre building, moulding, rubber lining, roller building and conveyor belt manufacture.
This competency covers the gathering of materials and operation of internal mill blending equipment.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
This unit has no prerequisites.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
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 this Training Package.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
apply required skills an knowledge to operate an internal mill blender
apply approved procedures.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that production standards are met consistently.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on an internal mill blender and will be undertaken in a work like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
by using an appropriate, internal mill blending machine requiring demonstration of operation and emergency stop procedures
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems
by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through a combination of these techniques.
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. 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.
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.
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.
Application of knowledge of the materials, equipment and process sufficient to recognise out of specification products, process problems and materials faults. For example
A knowledge of organization procedures, relevant regulatory requirements and the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and work standards. For example,
Application of the knowledge of managing risks using the hierarchy of controls applied to operate an internal mill blender. Application of approved hazard control and safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and cleanup.
Show knowledge of and skills in theoperation of an internal mill blender and its maincomponents sufficient for the consistent production of quality products including:
production workflow sequences and materials demand
the reason for checking process control panels and reporting readings which are outside normal range of process variability.
accurately monitoring equipment operation and product quality
the potential effects of variations in materials, quantities, temperature and equipment etc in relation to quality of product
correct selection and use of equipment, materials, processes and procedures
explain the effect of unauthorised or emergency shutdown in relation to safety and production requirements.
identify factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies.hazard policies and procedures
issue resolution procedures
guidelines relating to the safe use of machinery and equipment
quality assurance procedures (where existing)
security procedures
waste, pollution and recycling management processes
emergency procedures
reporting of accidents and incidents within regulatory requirements and following workplace procedures.
appropriate workplace language and communication technologies
manufacturer specifications
supplier and/or client instructions
materials safety data sheets.
Competence also includes the ability to:
plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements.
identify the role friction plays in the blending of product
describe causes and effects of variations in blended batches
identify and describe own role and the roles of others involved in the open mill blender process.
Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets, basic machine control panels and material labels as provided to operators.
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms.
Basic numeracy is also required for example to measure quantities of raw materials, additives, etc, to be blended calculate volumes from formulae measure and extract an exact quantity of compound from the mixed product for a sample to be tested.
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This competency applies to the operation of 'Shaw Intermix', 'Banbury' and similar internal mill mixers in work environments specific to the rubber sector. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the blending process. It excludes shifting of materials and rubber compounds by forklift.
This competency would typically apply to the mixing of rubbers or plastics, but may be applied to other materials mixed in an internal mill blender.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
hoppers and other material feeding equipment
manual hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
bung spanners and similar
bale hooks
basic hand tools required for opening of material packaging
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
restricted spaces
heat
hazardous chemicals
dust/fumes
moving machinery hazards
manual handling hazards
knife hazards.
Problems
Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a variety of predictable problems'. Typical process and product problems may include:
contamination of materials and/or additives
non adherence to recipe mix or sequence specifications
incorrect machine set-up
inadequate/excessive mixing time
float pressure
out of specification product
incorrect quantity of materials and/or additives.
Appropriate action for non-routine problems may be reported to designated person or other action specified in the procedures.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Identify work requirements from production plan or request (recipe card).
Check equipment and materials including base raw materials, additives and curatives and accelerators meet requirements for job(s).
Plan task sequences as per procedures, including noting times for checks of product quality.
Identify non-conformity in materials.
Recognise requirements which may not be in accordance with usual practice.
Ask questions of appropriate person to confirm unusual practice.
Identify hazards associated with the job and take appropriate action.
Perform other pre-operational checks in accordance with procedures.
Check safety gates and guards are in position and working.
Check materials are correct.
Check control panel to ensure all variable settings are within procedures guidelines.
Complete pre-start checks.
Check scales are zeroed correctly.
Minimise dust and rubbish in scales and feed mechanisms.
Accurately weigh powders, rubber, etc, according to computer display, digital readout or other means, according to recipe card.
Adjust rubber feed to ensure correct quantity delivered.
Start machine safely and correctly in accordance with procedures.
Check to ensure mixing is occurring appropriately according to equipment operating temperature, speed, amperages and pressures.
Monitor control panel in accordance with procedures.
Complete logs and records as required.
Notify Dump Mill Operators when the cycle is close to completion.
Pause machine cycle and perform emergency stop, as required.
Advise dump mill operator that compound/batch is being made.
Ensure that batch is sampled and correctly labelled.
Communicate any non-routine process or product events to required personnel.
Recognise known faults that occur during the operation.
Identify and take action on causes of routine faults.
Log problems as required.
Identify non-routine process and quality problems and take appropriate action.
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
PMBPROD253C - Operate an internal mill blender
Assessment task 1: [title]
Student name:
Student ID:
I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.
Student signature:
Result: Competent Not yet competent
Feedback to student
Assessor name:
Signature:
Date:
Assessment Record Sheet
PMBPROD253C - Operate an internal mill blender
Student name:
Student ID:
Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
(add lines for each task)
Feedback to student:
Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent