Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:20 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:20 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.
Lay up composites using vacuum closed moulding techniques
Lay up composites using vacuum closed moulding techniques
Unit of competency
National Code
MEM26002A
MEM26002A
State Code
WC757
WC757
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/11/2012
Field of Education
030305 - Materials Engineering
Original Release Date
14/11/2012
Nominal Hours
54
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to fabricate composites using a vacuum infusion processing (VIP) or other vacuum closed mould technique.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Select process
- 1.1 Identify product requirements
- 1.2 Select vacuum closed mould technique most appropriate to product requirements
- 1.3 Identify or develop required procedures to make product using selected process
2 Set up mould equipment
- 2.1 Select required items of equipment and ancillary equipment
- 2.2 Prepare equipment and ancillary equipment, as required
- 2.3 Pack mould according to procedures/laminate schedule
- 2.4 Assemble all equipment ready for use as required by procedure
3 Prepare materials
- 3.1 Identify required reinforcing/reinforcing system
- 3.2 Determine quantity of reinforcing required
- 3.3 Prepare reinforcing, as required
- 3.4 Identify required resin system
- 3.5 Determine quantity of resin components required
- 3.6 Check adequate quantities are available
- 3.7 Mix resin
- 3.8 Minimise waste
- 3.9 Test resin
4 Fabricate and adjust equipment and materials, as required
- 4.1 Identify and control hazards
- 4.2 Apply gel coat as required
- 4.3 Introduce resin to mould
- 4.4 Ensure air is vented, as required
- 4.5 Ensure required resin distribution
- 4.6 Cure product
- 4.7 Remove product from mould when ready
5 Clean up and maintain tools and equipment
- 5.1 Clean all moulding and mixing equipment
- 5.2 Undertake minor maintenance, as required
- 5.3 Prepare for next use or storage, as required
- 5.4 Inspect equipment and take appropriate action
- 5.5 Store equipment, as required
- 5.6 Minimise waste
- 5.7 Dispose of waste, as appropriate
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
Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheets
temporary instructions
any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations
Requirements of product
Requirements of product may be determined from various sources, including:
drawings
product specifications
customer requests
descriptions of required use of product
Closed moulding techniques
Closed moulding techniques include techniques which may have several names, including:
resin infusion under flexible tooling (RIFT)
vacuum bagging
This may also be applied to other closed moulding techniques
Mould equipment
Mould equipment includes major items and ancillary items and may also include consumable equipment, such as:
airlines
catchpots
moulds and mould components
infusion system for laminate
Prepare reinforcing
Preparing reinforcing includes:
cutting to size/shape, as required
any pre-treatment required
Logs and reports
Logs and reports may include:
paper or electronic based
verbal reports
items found which require action
Appropriate action
Appropriate action includes:
determining problems needing action
determining possible fault causes
rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
Typical problems
Typical problems may include:
dead spots trapping air
resin curing too quickly
resin curing too slowly
Health, safety and environment (HSE)
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence
Procedures
Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheets
temporary instructions
any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations
Requirements of product
Requirements of product may be determined from various sources, including:
drawings
product specifications
customer requests
descriptions of required use of product
Closed moulding techniques
Closed moulding techniques include techniques which may have several names, including:
resin infusion under flexible tooling (RIFT)
vacuum bagging
This may also be applied to other closed moulding techniques
Mould equipment
Mould equipment includes major items and ancillary items and may also include consumable equipment, such as:
airlines
catchpots
moulds and mould components
infusion system for laminate
Prepare reinforcing
Preparing reinforcing includes:
cutting to size/shape, as required
any pre-treatment required
Logs and reports
Logs and reports may include:
paper or electronic based
verbal reports
items found which require action
Appropriate action
Appropriate action includes:
determining problems needing action
determining possible fault causes
rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
Typical problems
Typical problems may include:
dead spots trapping air
resin curing too quickly
resin curing too slowly
Health, safety and environment (HSE)
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on the job.
It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
waste is minimised
product is made efficiently and to standard
tools and equipment are appropriately maintained.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require the fabrication of suitable objects using closed mould techniques.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Method of assessment
Typically, persons engaged in composites trade work are required to apply their skills and techniques across a range of jobs and specifications.
A single assessment event is not appropriate. On the job assessment must be included as part of the assessment process. Assessment judgements must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.
Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.
The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on the job.
It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
waste is minimised
product is made efficiently and to standard
tools and equipment are appropriately maintained.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require the fabrication of suitable objects using closed mould techniques.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Method of assessment
Typically, persons engaged in composites trade work are required to apply their skills and techniques across a range of jobs and specifications.
A single assessment event is not appropriate. On the job assessment must be included as part of the assessment process. Assessment judgements must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.
Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.
The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAT56 | MEM26002 | Lay up composites using vacuum closed moulding techniques | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W992 | MEM31112 | Certificate III in Engineering - Composites Trade | Qualification |
| W236 | MEM30105 | Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems | Qualification |
| W234 | MEM20205 | Certificate II in Engineering - Production Technology | Qualification |