Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to undertake carding operations to process fibres for spinning operations or non-woven web forming operations.
The unit of competency applies to the preparation, operation, monitoring and adjusting of carding machines and equipment used to process fibres. Fibres may be natural or synthetic to be used in woven, knitted, tufted and non-woven products.
Work is conducted according to defined procedures. Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.
No licensing, legislative 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. | ||
1 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Prepare for carding | 2.1 | Check production specifications to identify requirements for carding |
2.2 | Receive fibres and set up for loading into feed sheet | ||
2.3 | Set carding machine for operation and clean area around machine during and on completion of setting and loading | ||
2.4 | Report non-conforming materials | ||
3 | Operate and monitor carding machine | 3.1 | Start and stop carding machine according to manufacturer requirements and monitor to ensure correct operation and workplace procedures |
3.2 | Monitor blending to ensure blending consistency and feed uniformity | ||
3.3 | Monitor carding operation to ensure correct feed rate and quality of web offtake | ||
3.4 | Sort waste and apply environmental requirements | ||
3.5 | Identify and correct minor faults, where necessary, to meet specified requirements, and report major machine faults | ||
4 | Complete carding operations | 4.1 | Check carded fibres against quality standards |
4.2 | Unload or remove carded fibres according to manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures | ||
4.3 | Send carded fibres for despatch or further processing. | ||
4.4 | Clean and maintain work environment according to workplace procedures | ||
4.5 | Complete production records and other documentation, as required |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:
reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe work practices
applying relevant standards
checking machine settings to meet production requirements
operating and monitoring carding machine involving defined procedures and methods on at least two (2) occasions
making minor adjustments
recognising, rectifying and reporting machine or product faults or problems as required
monitoring blending to ensure blending consistency and feed uniformity
monitoring carding operation to ensure correct feed rate and quality of web off-take
sorting waste and observing environmental requirements
checking product samples against standards
loading and unloading products according to workplace practices and production requirements
checking carded fibres against quality standards
unloading or removing carded fibres according to manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures
sending carded fibres for despatch or further processing
cleaning and maintaining work environment according to workplace procedures
completing production records and other documentation, as required.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
relevant Australian Standards
procedures and guidelines for safe operation of carding machine
typical fault conditions and related fault finding procedures
blending and carding processes
air filtration and waste management systems
machine maintenance and repair techniques
technical specifications manuals
quality standards and practices
workplace procedures
recording and reporting practices.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment, as set by the VET regulator
have vocational competency in carding operations, at least to the level being assessed, with relevant industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following: | requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions PPE oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Machines and equipment for carding include one or more of the following: | burr handling systems air filtration equipment carding machine doffer waste system blending systems compressed air |
Waste includes one or more of the following: | processed burr contaminants processed sweepings machine waste |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Textile production