Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency unit includes the use of specialty equipment for cutting materials.

Materials may be any plastic, polymer, composite, rubber or combination. The material may be in any form: sheet, tubular, solid section, formed profile, etc.

It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the material cutting process.

Procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

This competency includes tools and equipment such as:
guillotines, power saws, jig saws, band saws, thermal cutting devices
controller, such as PLC if fitted
hand tools as required
relevant personal protective equipment.

Typical hazards include:
fibres and dusts, airborne and handled
manual handling hazards
power tools, leads and power supplies
stationary and moving machinery, parts and components.

Routine problems include:
pattern
pattern incorrect
marking errors
equipment
wear and breakage
temperature variations
loss of power or drives
controller sequence, timer issues
process
sequencing problems.

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Essential knowledge and enterprise requirements
Application of knowledge of the materials, equipment and process sufficient to recognise out of specification products, process problems and materials faults.
Knowledge of the enterprise's procedures and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and work standards.

Competence includes the ability for the practical completion of the job to:
apply and/or explain:
different types of materials and their behaviour when cut
different cutting equipment and suitability for materials
identify:
controls of cutting equipment
list and describe:
routine faults in products
routine problems in process
distinguish between causes of faults such as:
materials
heat
changes to materials during the cutting process
equipment - adjustments/setup
equipment - maintenance requirements.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
recognise the importance of material properties and qualities
apply approved procedures
take appropriate action to resolve faults or report faults to appropriate personnel
explain and implement emergency shutdown procedures.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
material cutting production standards are met consistently
upstream and downstream communication is timely and effective
procedures and work instructions are read and interpreted correctly
problems are identified and appropriate action is taken (i.e. the problem is fixed or reported)
all safety procedures are followed.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information as provided to operators.
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms.
Basic numeracy is required, e.g. to determine that two 25 kg bags are needed to make up a requirement for 50 kg.

Assessment method and context
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
on an operating plant allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions
by use of a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
by 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 that the theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment.

Resource implications
This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables 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 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.