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 is for the design of a new product 'from scratch'. It assumes an understanding of the operation of all relevant equipment and processes but does not necessarily require them to be used personally.
This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry. The competency assumes a working knowledge of all main processes and materials so that an informed choice can be made between them.
This unit requires an understanding of all standard processes, major polymer types and common additives.
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
OHS
food grade requirements
environmental regulations
PACIA packaging covenant
structural codes.
Tools and equipment
This competency requires an understanding of the use of all standard processing equipment, It includes use of equipment and tools for:
design of dies, such as are used in extrusion, injection moulding and blow moulding
design of mould,s such as are used in rotational moulding and composites
understanding
relevant personal protection.
Appropriate factors
Appropriate factors include:
type of material
dimensional precision of product
length of run/number of products
required aesthetics
size and complexity of product
available capital funding
process equipment available.
Problems
Typical process and product problems may include:
defining product end use requirements in terms meaningful to the product design and manufacture
matching suitable materials and processes to the product needs and company expertise and facilities
matching (and improving) process capability to product tolerances.

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
The critical aspect for this unit of competency is the ability to apply a thorough understanding of polymer materials, their additives and the rheological, heat and other effects of processing to a new situation and use this understanding to predict likely solutions to the new product design specification challenge. This understanding of material and process interactions should also be able to be applied in interpreting data and making adjustments to materials and process to achieve the desired outcomes.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur using industrial products, situations and equipment using industrial polymers and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
using appropriate, industrial product, situations and polymers
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.
The development must be of a product which is new to the organisation and not just a modification of an existing product. It is possible that a major redesign of an existing product may encompass all the aspects of a new product design to an appropriate breadth and depth. Where the only available product design projects are the major re-design of an existing project, normally several such projects will be required to match the breadth and depth of skills which can be demonstrated by the development of a totally new product
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.