Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:35 PM AWST
22/07/2026 7:35 PM 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.
Produce fibre optic preforms
Produce fibre optic preforms
Unit of competency
National Code
PMBPROD372B
PMBPROD372B
State Code
W7665
W7665
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
030305 - Materials Engineering
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This competency covers the operation and adjustment of fibre optic preform equipment and the solving of non-routine problems.This competency is typically performed by advanced operators demonstrating some relevant theoretical knowledge and using a range of well developed skills requiring some discretion and judgement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan own work requirements.
- 1.1 Identify equipment and processes used for production process and upstream and downstream operations from production plan or request.
- 1.2 Identify materials required including additives.
- 1.3 Recognise hazards and take appropriate action.
- 1.4 Identify and check emergency stops, guards and controls.
- 1.5 Identify requirements for materials, quality, production and equipment checks.
- 1.6 Identify materials, waste management and housekeeping needs.
2. Check fibre optic preform equipment setup.
- 2.1 Determine equipment requirements.
- 2.2 Set process to specifications as required.
- 2.3 Check materials are correct.
- 2.4 Check speed, time, tension and wind-off speed to requirements.
- 2.5 Check fibre optic winding equipment settings and adjustments, including tensions and spool loading, to specifications.
- 2.6 Discard, or make adjustments to the process for, non-conforming materials.
- 2.7 Set up date, batch and materials markings to specifications, as required.
- 2.8 Complete other pre-start checks to procedures.
3. Operate and make adjustments to fibre optic preform equipment to procedures.
- 3.1 Check and load materials using correct manual handling methods.
- 3.2 Start up equipment and make adjustments to reach required settings.
- 3.3 Monitor controls/displays/terminals for production/process data.
- 3.4 Monitor product/process quality.
- 3.5 Maintain continuity of process.
- 3.6 Make adjustments to remedy faults and nonconformity to standard as required.
- 3.7 Collect and reprocess/discard scrap/trim and other materials.
- 3.8 Complete required workplace documentation/records.
- 3.9 Clean, adjust and lubricate equipment as required.
- 3.10 Pause or stop equipment in an emergency, as required.
4. Shut down equipment to procedures.
- 4.1 Shut down equipment as required.
- 4.2 Complete equipment cleanup, adjustments and waste management.
- 4.3 Place suitable guards, locks and notices to prevent inadvertent start-up.
5. Anticipate and solve problems.
- 5.1 Recognise a problem or a potential problem.
- 5.2 Determine problems needing priority action.
- 5.3 Refer problems outside area of responsibility to appropriate person, with possible causes.
- 5.4 Seek information and assistance as required to solve problems.
- 5.5 Solve problems within area of responsibility.
- 5.6 Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This competency applies to fibre optic preform equipment for the cablemaking industry. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the fibre optic preform process.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.
These may include:
fibre optic soots
sintered glass bodies
preforms.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
fibre optic preform equipment including multi-mode or single mode
associated equipment including
hand tools used in production process
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
temperature
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
equipment operations.
Problems
'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/a solution recorded in the procedures.
Typical process and product problems may include:
routine and non-routine product fibre optic preform faults - contamination, flaws in preform cores, incorrect processes and temperatures
machine malfunctions
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
processing problems.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
operating temperatures
operating speed
temperature
tension
wind-off speed
product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This competency applies to fibre optic preform equipment for the cablemaking industry. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the fibre optic preform process.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.
These may include:
fibre optic soots
sintered glass bodies
preforms.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
fibre optic preform equipment including multi-mode or single mode
associated equipment including
hand tools used in production process
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
temperature
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
equipment operations.
Problems
'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/a solution recorded in the procedures.
Typical process and product problems may include:
routine and non-routine product fibre optic preform faults - contamination, flaws in preform cores, incorrect processes and temperatures
machine malfunctions
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
processing problems.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
operating temperatures
operating speed
temperature
tension
wind-off speed
product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample.
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 this training package.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
identify critical materials properties and fibre optic preform equipment characteristics in relation to the process requirements and the end product.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
production quality and output standards are met consistently
the process runs consistently and smoothly.
Assessment method and context
It is preferred that assessment takes place on industrial optical fibre preform equipment in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
using an appropriate, industrial fibre optic preforming machine
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and respond to problems
by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through 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 practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement 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 studies/scenarios 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.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
identify critical materials properties and fibre optic preform equipment characteristics in relation to the process requirements and the end product.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
production quality and output standards are met consistently
the process runs consistently and smoothly.
Assessment method and context
It is preferred that assessment takes place on industrial optical fibre preform equipment in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
using an appropriate, industrial fibre optic preforming machine
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and respond to problems
by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through 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 practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement 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 studies/scenarios 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.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C5700 | PMBPROD372A | Produce fibre optic preforms | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAI29 | PMBPROD372 | Produce fibre optic preforms | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W400 | PMB30107 | Certificate III in Polymer Processing | Qualification |
| W401 | PMB40107 | Certificate IV in Polymer Technology | Qualification |