Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Theory and practice of mould making and casting may relate to:
emerging trends
innovative use
production capabilities and economics
work of other artists or designers.
Purposes may be to create:
architectural items
art objects
block and case moulds for casting production
cast items, such as:
cast metal
cast plastic
hot cast glass
kiln cast glass
press moulded items
slipcast ceramics
slumped glass
functional items (one-offs or multiples)
models
sculptures
patterns
props
prototypes
samples
templates.
Design and production limitations may include:
availability of materials, tools and equipment
availability of suitable work space
skill level.
Designs may include:
computer-aided design (CAD) drawings
hand drawings
maquettes.
Forms may include:
full scale handmade models
maquettes
rapid prototyped models.
Evaluation may include consideration of:
aesthetic requirements
functional requirements
marketability of end product
mould-making and casting limitations.
Preparing patterns or models may include:
exposure and containment of each section when required
identifying and marking parting lines
isolating individual mould sections
using release agents.
Technical specifications may relate to:
cost of production
durability and strength
how and where the item is to be viewed or placed
number and size of items to be produced
shelf life of selected materials
suitability of selected materials
types of materials to be used.
Relevant people may include:
artists
designers
mentors
production personnel
supervisors
teachers.
Tools and equipment may include:
casting frames
casting table
centrifugal casting machine
cottles
die casting machine
drawing and design tools, including:
carving and modelling tools
computers and design software
rapid prototyping equipment
measuring tools and equipment, including:
accurate scales
electronic balance
measuring instruments for volume and length
mould boards and clamps
protective clothing and equipment
ram press
vacuum former.
Safety issues may relate to:
ergonomic issues, such as:
ability to pour moulds
size and weight of moulds
personal protective equipment (PPE)
use of chemicals
use of hot materials
use of safe casting techniques and materials when life casting
ventilation
work environment.
Mould-making and casting materials may include:
clays:
oil or polymer-based modelling clays
pottery clay bodies
latex
found objects
metal
manufactured plastics, such as:
fibreglass
polyurethane and polyester resins
sheet plastics
silicones, including condensation cure and addition cure
thermoset and thermoplastic elastomers
other casting materials, such as alginate
plaster products:
Forton MG
gypsum cement
pottery plaster and dental plaster
refractory materials, such as:
alumina
clay products, such as kaolin, bentonite and grog
investment plaster
silica
vermiculite
washed sand and furnace sand
release agents, such as:
petroleum-based products mixtures
shellac
soft soap
waxes:
jewellery wax
microcrystalline wax
wood.
Techniques may include:
blow moulding
carving
draping and slumping
handbuilding
investing
life casting
modelling
pouring
pressing
using release agents
vacuum forming.
Technical and design issues may relate to:
aesthetic appeal
applications of alternative modelling and mould-making materials
availability of materials
durability
functionality
marketability
skills required for production
time required for production.

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
produce multiple technically sound items using mould-making and casting techniques
apply safe work practices with moulding and casting equipment and materials
apply knowledge of the properties of materials used in mould making and casting.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to casting and mould-making materials, tools and equipment
a work space in which items can be made safely.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate making moulds and using them to take casts
questioning and discussion about candidate’s work processes
review of portfolios of evidence
review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUVCER501A Refine ceramics techniques
CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes
CUVGLA501A Refine glassworking techniques
CUVGLA502A Investigate glassworking materials and processes
CUVSCU501A Refine sculptural techniques
CUVSCU502A Investigate sculptural materials and processes.