Elements and Performance Criteria

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 unit includes the use of equipment and materials to form complex composite products using hand lamination processes. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the hand lay up process.
Composites may be regarded as 'complex' due to their shape (eg acute angle corners), technical specification (eg high strength/rigidity/low weight) or the conditions under which the work must be undertaken (eg poor access, hot/cold environment)
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.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
open moulds for composite products
hand mixing equipment and stirrers
knives and cutters
hand application tools, rollers, brushes, etc
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
hazardous materials and vapours
manual handling hazards
fire hazards due to flammable nature of resins used
knife hazards
slip hazards.
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 routine faults include:
incorrect resin ratios
fibre wet out
shifting of fibres during lay up
lay up sequence.
Non-routine faults, which may have multiple causes include:
mould release problems,
warping or cracking after moulding
voids due to resin drainage.
Typical process and product problems may include:
cracks, dents or imperfections of the mould
use of incorrect materials
variations in materials, colour, consistency or mix
contamination of materials.
Appropriate action for problems outside of area of responsibility may be reporting to an appropriate person.
Appropriate action for solving problems within area of responsibility includes asking questions and seeking assistance from appropriate persons/sources.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
temperature of environment/resin
time since mixing vs pot life of resin
air flow/ventilation
viscosity of resin
differing fibres and fabrics
compacting density of application.

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.
Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in PMBPROD247C Hand lay up composites, it may be co-assessed with this unit.
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 hand lamination process characteristics in relation to the process requirements and the end product
make adjustments to the process as required
identify and take appropriate action on problems and potential problems.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
products are consistently produced which meet specification
all safety procedures are always followed.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur during the hand lay up process for complex composites and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
through use of industrial hand lay up composite manufacture, using jobs of appropriate complexity
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.