Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:45 AM AWST
22/07/2026 7:45 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Organise composite trials
Organise composite trials
Unit of competency
National Code
MEM26018A
MEM26018A
State Code
WC773
WC773
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/11/2012
Field of Education
030305 - Materials Engineering
Original Release Date
14/11/2012
Nominal Hours
36
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to trial new materials and processes and make prototypes. The source of these trials may arise from internal improvements or new products/processes from external sources. Regardless, trials need to be conducted to 'prove' it in an industrial environment, to translate research and development into practical processes and to provide appropriate records and metrics.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Determine expected outcomes from new/revised product/process
- 1.1 Identify risks to be controlled
- 1.2 Identify novel parts of process/materials/properties
- 1.3 Compare data from past work/trials
- 1.4 Obtain data for novel part of process/material
- 1.5 Develop procedures which should produce the required result
2 Determine required metrics from trials
- 2.1 Determine required process properties
- 2.2 Determine required business measures
- 2.3 Determine required sustainability measures
3 Compare proposed process with existing and predict problem areas
- 3.1 Compare proposed process with existing similar processes
- 3.2 Identify points of difference
- 3.3 Identify weaknesses with existing process
- 3.4 Predict possible problems with trial process/materials
4 Organise appropriate trials
- 4.1 Determine scale of trial
- 4.2 Ensure availability of adequate resources
- 4.3 Organise for the preparation of equipment/materials
- 4.4 Conduct trial
- 4.5 Monitor trial and record key observations and metrics
5 Select appropriate manufacturing procedure
- 5.1 Compare outcome with requirements
- 5.2 Modify procedure and repeat trial, as required
- 5.3 Determine procedure which will yield desired results
- 5.4 Record procedure in appropriate form
- 5.5 Complete all required reporting and recording
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Procedures
Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheets
temporary instructions
any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations
Novel part
The novel part is that portion of the process, or the materials or product properties which are new or different to standard and could be:
new resin system on standard reinforcing
new reinforcing with standard resin system
new process using standard materials
standard process and materials producing product with different properties
Process properties
Process properties include:
gel time
viscosity
temperature (e.g. mould, resin and ambient)
infusion time
peak exotherm (e.g. using a laser thermometer)
Scale of trial
Scale of trial may be:
full scale prototype
scaled down prototype
laminate samples only
portion of laminate
Trial resources
Trial resources may include:
equipment
tools
materials
personnel
time
Logs and reports
Logs and reports may include:
paper or electronic based
verbal reports
items found which require action
Appropriate action
Appropriate action includes:
determining problems needing action
determining possible fault causes
rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
Business measures
Business measures include:
costs
time analysis
quality reliability
Sustainability
Sustainability incorporates the three aspects of:
survival of the ecology/physical environment - which means that an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure the survival of the physical environment
economic viability - efficiency, cost and waste reduction and competitiveness to support survival of the business
social sustainability - an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure its continued survival within the community and the survival of the community, including occupational health and safety (OHS)
Modifying procedure
Modifying procedure may include:
changing resin inlets
changing resin chemistry
changing other materials
modifications to process
modifications to tooling
Typical problems
Typical problems may include:
trial procedures not workable
trial product does not meet specification
trial procedures do not meet sustainability requirements
Health, safety and environment (HSE)
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence
Procedures
Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheets
temporary instructions
any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations
Novel part
The novel part is that portion of the process, or the materials or product properties which are new or different to standard and could be:
new resin system on standard reinforcing
new reinforcing with standard resin system
new process using standard materials
standard process and materials producing product with different properties
Process properties
Process properties include:
gel time
viscosity
temperature (e.g. mould, resin and ambient)
infusion time
peak exotherm (e.g. using a laser thermometer)
Scale of trial
Scale of trial may be:
full scale prototype
scaled down prototype
laminate samples only
portion of laminate
Trial resources
Trial resources may include:
equipment
tools
materials
personnel
time
Logs and reports
Logs and reports may include:
paper or electronic based
verbal reports
items found which require action
Appropriate action
Appropriate action includes:
determining problems needing action
determining possible fault causes
rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
Business measures
Business measures include:
costs
time analysis
quality reliability
Sustainability
Sustainability incorporates the three aspects of:
survival of the ecology/physical environment - which means that an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure the survival of the physical environment
economic viability - efficiency, cost and waste reduction and competitiveness to support survival of the business
social sustainability - an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure its continued survival within the community and the survival of the community, including occupational health and safety (OHS)
Modifying procedure
Modifying procedure may include:
changing resin inlets
changing resin chemistry
changing other materials
modifications to process
modifications to tooling
Typical problems
Typical problems may include:
trial procedures not workable
trial product does not meet specification
trial procedures do not meet sustainability requirements
Health, safety and environment (HSE)
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
appropriate metrics are determined before commencement of trial
trial procedure has a sound basis
trial procedures, metrics and outcomes are suitably recorded.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require the organising of composite trials and analysing and reporting of trial results.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Method of assessment
A single assessment event is not appropriate. On-the-job assessment should be included as part of the assessment process wherever possible. Where assessment occurs off the job, judgement must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.
Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways, including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.
The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
appropriate metrics are determined before commencement of trial
trial procedure has a sound basis
trial procedures, metrics and outcomes are suitably recorded.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require the organising of composite trials and analysing and reporting of trial results.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Method of assessment
A single assessment event is not appropriate. On-the-job assessment should be included as part of the assessment process wherever possible. Where assessment occurs off the job, judgement must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.
Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways, including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.
The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAT40 | MEM26018 | Organise composite trials | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W992 | MEM31112 | Certificate III in Engineering - Composites Trade | Qualification |
| W236 | MEM30105 | Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems | Qualification |
| W234 | MEM20205 | Certificate II in Engineering - Production Technology | Qualification |