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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine project requirements
   • Review and clarify project brief with client
   • Confirm and evaluate parameters and constraints from project brief
   • Identify and assess aspects of brief that are impacted by materials and technologies selection
   • Identify key project stakeholders and establish required communication protocols
2. Research materials and technologies for testing
   • Evaluate features of briefed product and research how materials and technologies have been used to achieve these in other projects
   • Investigate physical properties, capabilities, limitations or constraints of different materials and how these could be utilised in projects
   • Research aesthetic properties of different materials in terms of suitability for testing
   • Identify production methods, including safety issues and specialised equipment and personnel, required to work with different materials, and assess suitability of those methods against project brief
   • Identify and consider new and emerging technologies against project brief and proposed production methods
   • Evaluate materials and technologies in context of sustainability, cost and availability for testing and production
   • Select materials and technologies to be tested based on outcomes of research
3. Test materials and technologies
   • Develop test program and reporting methods for materials and technologies that addresses all facets identified, including interaction of materials and technologies
   • Ensure test program addresses safety considerations, both specific to use of selected materials and technologies, and generally for workplace
   • Validate test program with relevant personnel or key stakeholders
   • Organise physical, financial and human resources based on scope and nature of testing program
   • Follow test program to test materials and technologies
   • Report on test program results in accordance with agreed reporting methods
4. Analyse and report on test results
   • Interpret test program results and their implications from report
   • Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of tested materials and technologies based on test results and against project requirements
   • Assess production methods and expertise requirements from test results
   • Recommend and validate materials, production methods including equipment and technologies, and expertise with key stakeholders
   • Complete workplace documentation to finalise project brief, highlighting research and test results, and rationale for materials chosen

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and demonstrated the ability to:

research, test and apply materials and associated technologies for three different design briefs, and in doing so:

research five different types of materials and three different design- or production-related technologies

develop, implement and report on a test program for two different types of materials and two different design- or production-related technologies

prepare and present three reports in appropriate formats to convey information to key stakeholders.

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Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

elements and principles of design, their interrelationships and how they are used in materials selection

characteristics, properties and selection criteria for different materials, both aesthetic and functional, including:

manmade and natural timbers (native and imported) including composites and finishes

plastics

metals

alloys

stone-based products

glass

textiles

fibreglass

foam

synthetics

cardboard and paper products

any other manipulable substance

particular features and behaviours of materials and the impact of these on production methods and technologies

types and methods of testing specific to different materials, including strength and performance under different conditions

design- and production-related technologies applicable to all stages of a project, and their impact on materials selection and output variables

key features, costs, efficiencies and technical application of current and emerging technologies, including:

CNC operations

3D printing

foundries and casting

robotics

laser cutting

water-jet cutting

how to structure and present testing program results and recommendations

the expertise and specialised equipment or technologies required for different materials, and the impact of these on project constraints including timeframes and budgets

non-traditional materials that complement or enhance the overall design.

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