Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to operate a truss press to finalise the joining of prepared truss components and to strap and pack them in readiness for transport to a construction site.Work is completed in a timber and wood products production setting.
The unit applies to Press operator, Timber manufactured products technician, Jig setter, Machine operator, saw operator.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Prepare for pressing | 1.1 Review work order and construction plans and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Identify and obtain type and quantity of assembly material and hardware. 1.3 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness. |
2. Set up components | 2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 2.2 Select timber components from pre-cut material in line with cutting list. 2.3 Position and clamp components in press, with allowable faults, joins and grain in line with construction standards and grading rules. 2.4 Set components to include camber adjustments, overhang and other design requirements. 2.5 Identify defective components, dispose of or recycle in line with environmental protection practices. 2.6 Fasten components to maintain temporary alignment during setup. 2.7 Position and install hardware on joints ready for pressing. |
3. Press trusses | 3.1 Complete pre start-up equipment checks to ensure operational effectiveness. 3.2 Set and adjust press cycle times and pressures to meet production requirements. 3.3 Check pressed trusses for abnormalities and assembly faults in line with organisational procedures. 3.4 Complete unload and reload cycles. 3.5 Assess pressed and finished trusses regularly; action changes to assembly and pressing processes as required. 3.6 Dispose of defective pressed trusses in line with environmental protection practices. |
4. Prepare products for despatch and report | 4.1 Check finished product for quality and label in line with work order. 4.2 Remove components from jigs and safely stack in designated location. 4.3 Strap, pack and label finished products ready for transportation. 4.4 Avoid wastage of strapping and packaging materials and maximise use of recycled materials. 4.5 Record and report production outcomes and equipment faults to appropriate personnel. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
set up components and press timber trusses, in line with an individual work order and construction plan for each job prescribing different dimensions and numbers of trusses
for each of the above jobs, strap, pack and label completed products ready for transportation.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
quality requirements, at a basic level of understanding, of national building codes and standards
environmental protection practices for assembling and pressing timber trusses:
reducing water and energy use
disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste
typical timber defects and how these affect ability to produce a quality finished product:
warp
wane
cupping
shakes
insect defects
knots
resin pockets
typical flow of material supply in and out of the truss pressing area
typical truss assembly sequences and range of techniques used to press trusses
range of industry standard lengths, cross sections and tolerances and applicable terminology
typical assembly and pressing faults triggering correction to ensure product quality:
incorrectly positioned joints
timber splits from nailing
incorrectly positioned hardware
purpose, features and operation of equipment used to assemble and press timber trusses:
truss presses:
roller press
platen press
C-clamp press
assembly equipment:
measuring equipment
assembly jigs
drills
staple guns
nail guns
compressor or compressed air supply
marking equipment
strapping equipment
appropriate range of cycle times and pressures used to press trusses until structurally ready
purpose, features and use of assembly componentry
organisational procedures specific to operating press trusses:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment
communication reporting lines
maintaining construction standards
recording and reporting production outcomes and equipment faults
labelling products for identification and transportation.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
a truss press which includes one or more of the following:
roller press
platen press
C-clamp press
computer-automated press
tools and equipment used to assemble timber trusses:
measuring equipment
assembly jigs
drills
staple guns
nail guns
compressor or compressed air supply
marking equipment
strapping equipment
assembly hardware:
nailing plates
gang nails
nail gun nails
staples
personal protective equipment suitable for operating truss presses
pre-cut sections of timber
consumable strapping, packaging and labelling materials
manufacturers’ instructions for equipment use
work order and construction plan with specifications for assembling and pressing trusses
template documents for recording production outcomes and equipment faults
organisational procedures for operating truss presses.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret production data from construction plans and work orders to: count quantities of materials and hardware components and select appropriate sizes complete routine calculations for component layouts measure lengths, camber, overhang and angles to construction plan specifications. read basic numerical machine settings to set pressure and cycle times. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to clarify contents of construction plans and work orders. |
Reading skills to: | interpret detailed: workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures construction plans and work orders manufacturers’ instructions. |
Writing skills to: | produce basic clear labels for product identification and transportation complete accurate basic records for production outcomes and equipment faults. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation and production using work order and construction plan to guide activities. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Common Technical