Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:34 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:34 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.
Design structural/mechanical components
Design structural/mechanical components
Unit of competency
National Code
PMC556031C
PMC556031C
State Code
WA974
WA974
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/08/2014
Field of Education
030701 - Mechanical Engineering
Original Release Date
15/08/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency covers the mechanical/structural design of components which are to be made from manufactured mineral products. It applies the traditional engineering structures to brittle materials. It is based on PMBTECH603A Design structural/mechanical polymer components.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine mechanical/structural design requirements
- 1.1. Determine stress/strain requirements of end use
- 1.2. Determine flexural/rigidity requirements of end use
- 1.3. Determine required physical properties (such as size, shape and density) of end use
- 1.4. Determine environmental requirements (physical, chemical, radiation) of end product
- 1.5. Identify how component fits with entire end product
- 1.6. Develop mechanical design brief and verify with appropriate people
2. Select materials and additives, including reinforcing, appropriate for the design brief
- 2.1. Select material/combination of materials with appropriate physical properties
- 2.2. Select material/combination of materials with appropriate chemical properties
- 2.3. Select material/combination of materials with appropriate radiation resistance/transmission properties
- 2.4. Arrange for compounding and testing of possible materials as appropriate
- 2.5. Determine relevant properties of selected material/shortlisted materials
3. Undertake mechanical design of component
- 3.1. Calculate size and shape/profile of component to meet design brief
- 3.2. Liaise with product developer to also deliver required aesthetic aspects
- 3.3. Liaise with product developer/production to ensure efficiency in manufacture
- 3.4. Suggest modifications to materials/compound as required
4. Design jointing/joining/ other product interfaces
- 4.1. Liaise with designers of other components
- 4.2. Agree on interface requirements/joints/joining as appropriate
- 4.3. Design suitable interfaces
- 4.4. Check interface design to ensure it meets the end use requirements without sacrificing integrity.
5. Finalise design
- 5.1. Check internal consistency of design
- 5.2. Check overall design meets end use requirements
- 5.3. Ensure issues identified in the hazard analysis for both end use safety requirements and manufacturing requirements are addressed in the final design
- 5.4. Write component specification
- 5.5. Liaise with product developer/production to write production specification/procedures
- 5.6. Supervise manufacture and testing of prototypes/manufacturing trials as appropriate
- 5.7. Finalise specifications and manufacturing processes, and complete all reports
- 5.8. Ensure project records are complete and all required reports have been completed and submitted
- 5.9. Archive records according to company procedures
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. 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
All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions
Standard procedures
Standard procedures refer to:
all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards
Situations
The situations covered by this unit include, but are not limited to:
critical load bearing structural components requiring significant design such as columns and beams
critical mechanical components transmitting power/forces such as shafts, gears and bearings
component joints/joins
components with a critical rigidity/flexural specification
individual components
integrated structural components
large and small components
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
All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions
Standard procedures
Standard procedures refer to:
all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards
Situations
The situations covered by this unit include, but are not limited to:
critical load bearing structural components requiring significant design such as columns and beams
critical mechanical components transmitting power/forces such as shafts, gears and bearings
component joints/joins
components with a critical rigidity/flexural specification
individual components
integrated structural components
large and small components
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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.
Overview of assessment
The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
a thorough understanding of materials, their additives and the rheological, heat and other effects of processing to the design of a new mechanical or structural component are applied
both compound design and mechanical design are able to be modified to optimise the results
the designed product is fit for its purpose and also capable of safe and efficient manufacture for an appropriate price/cost.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency requires a detailed understanding of mechanics such as might be gained from some engineering studies. Where this knowledge is to be gained as part of this unit of competency, it will require a significantly greater effort and time than would otherwise be required.
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.
Method of assessment
This unit of competency assumes the knowledge component included in the following unit of competency:
PMC555031B Choose materials for an application
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
by observation of an actual design project where the assessee takes a lead technical role
by use of a suitable design project where arrangements are made to also assess the implementation aspects.
Evidence must be available that the specified knowledge has been acquired and is able to be applied or the units may be co-assessed:
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.
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.
Overview of assessment
The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
a thorough understanding of materials, their additives and the rheological, heat and other effects of processing to the design of a new mechanical or structural component are applied
both compound design and mechanical design are able to be modified to optimise the results
the designed product is fit for its purpose and also capable of safe and efficient manufacture for an appropriate price/cost.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency requires a detailed understanding of mechanics such as might be gained from some engineering studies. Where this knowledge is to be gained as part of this unit of competency, it will require a significantly greater effort and time than would otherwise be required.
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.
Method of assessment
This unit of competency assumes the knowledge component included in the following unit of competency:
PMC555031B Choose materials for an application
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
by observation of an actual design project where the assessee takes a lead technical role
by use of a suitable design project where arrangements are made to also assess the implementation aspects.
Evidence must be available that the specified knowledge has been acquired and is able to be applied or the units may be co-assessed:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAH10 | PMC556031 | Design structural/mechanical components | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W752 | PMC60110 | Advanced Diploma of Manufactured Mineral Products | Qualification |