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

Required skills

identify relevant spectra

communicate both with other technicians and also with shop floor operatives about technical matters

Write technical reports and production specifications

understand and interpret numeric data as well as manipulate test data in order to obtain the required information

calculate concentrations and dilutions

The mathematics relevant to the manipulation and interpretation of test data is also required

A knowledge of the impact of chemical composition on the foundry process and product and what adjustments should be made and how they can be made is also required

Required knowledge

Competence in this unit requires knowledge of the principles of operation uses and limitations of

Optical Emission Spectroscopy OES otherwise known as Atomic Emission Spectroscopy AES

UV Visible Spectrophotometry UV Vis

Infrared Spectroscopy IR

Gas Chromatography GC

XRay Fluorescence XRF

Flame Photometry

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry AAS

Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM

Traditional Wet Analysis

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 requires evidence of competent operation of OES which may be obtained either in a workplace or other suitable laboratory facility The materials being tested should be relevant to the foundry industry

This competency also requires evidence of competency in the selection of appropriate test methods for various scenarios and the interpretation of test results The scenarios and test results should be relevant to the foundry industry 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 test methods

obtain repeatable OES results

interpret test results for a foundry

Consistent performance should be demonstrated In particular look to see that

several scenarios requiring the selection of different test instruments have been completed successfully

reproducible test results can be obtained from OES testing across different samples requiring different sample preparationtest conditions

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 and skills and knowledge A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment

Competence in this unit may be assessed

in a foundry

in another suitable laboratory facility using simulation for non OES evidence

by use of a suitable simulation andor a range of case studiesscenarios

by 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 practicalsimulation or similar 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 an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation A bank of case studiesscenarios 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

Codes of practice/standards

Context

Procedures

Tools and equipment

Test data

Appropriate test(s)

Capacity

Body

Required arrangements

Prepare sample

Prepare instrument

Actions