Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:27 AM AWST

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Apply manufactured product design techniques

Apply manufactured product design techniques

Unit of competency
National Code
MEM14087A
State Code
WE905
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
20/12/2012
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
16/04/2013
Field of Education
030101 - Manufacturing Engineering
Original Release Date
16/04/2013
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency covers the application of engineering design techniques to manufactured products. It includes documentation of the design process, calculations, specifications, computer-aided design (CAD) files, risk analysis, sustainability and life cycle assessments.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Investigate manufactured product design requirements
  • 1.1 Review product design brief
  • 1.2 Determine engineering and scientific principles and design techniques required for product design process
  • 1.3 Investigate life cycle design and sustainability implications of design requirement
  • 1.4 Determine required specification, documentation and graphical techniques to define design
  • 1.5 Confirm work health and safety (WHS) and other regulatory requirements
  • 1.6 Identify codes, standards and risk management requirements
  • 1.7 Investigate software requirements for product design process
2 Apply manufactured product design techniques
  • 2.1 Plan, schedule and coordinate the design task
  • 2.2 Analyse available materials, components, manufacturing processes, tooling and suppliers against design requirements
  • 2.3 Create adequate and accurate calculations, preliminary graphics and maintain design process records
  • 2.4 Evaluate multiple solutions against design criteria, risk, failure mode, sustainability and cost
  • 2.5 Apply systems thinking, problem solving and decision making techniques in dealing with contingencies and constraints, continuous improvement and development of design options
  • 2.6 Incorporate professional and technical assistance, as required
  • 2.7 Finalise specification and documentation, modelling, mock-up or prototyping
3 Report results
  • 3.1 Record results of investigations, application and development of design
  • 3.2 Provide documentation, such as calculations, specifications, diagrams, CAD files, mock-ups or prototypes
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.
Context of manufactured product design
The context for product design activity may include:
budget and market considerations
technological advantages/disadvantages of materials, equipment and suppliers
resources supply (e.g. materials, labour and skills)
sustainability issues relevant to design task (e.g. WHS, risk management, standards and codes of practice)
Planning processes
Planning processes may include:
establishing design parameters and design criteria
contributing to the negotiation and advice process
preliminary planning, design investigations and costing
identifying design, development, prototyping activities and skills requirements
planning and scheduling design activities
improving, adjusting and rescheduling as required by emergency contingencies and constraints
Design process
Designing as a systematic process includes:
establish design parameters and criteria
research, measurement, experimentation and investigation
generate ideas and develop proposals
synthesis, problem solving and decision making, and addressing constraints
apply scientific principles, calculation and graphics, prototyping and mock-up techniques
evaluate solutions against design criteria
review and revision of design in consultation with stakeholders
finalise design and sign-off
Design criteria
Design criteria include:
function
aesthetics
manufacturability and maintainability
marketability
sustainability, including life cycle analysis
cost constraints on costs of design, development, tooling up, manufacture, marketing and distribution
ergonomics and anthropometrics and physiology
facilities, plant and skills available
safety and risk
Analysis
Analysis may include:
product and component performance requirements
assessment against manufacturing capability of organisation
failure mode effects and risk
static and dynamic analysis of loads
the stresses and deformations resulting
graphical and mathematical methods and software options
suitability of materials for purpose and manufacturing process
Sustainability
Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:
meeting all regulatory requirements
conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides
minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product
maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community
minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer
Life cycle assessment
Life cycle analysis can be used to improve sustainability of products and services. It may be applied to:
all aspects of manufacture of a single product
the entire operations of an organisation
a particular aspect of operations, such as environmental implications
Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance
Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance may include:
technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:
high pressure
energised fluid vessels
high temperatures and heat energy capacity
wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage
professional support for technologies, such as:
specialist electric motor drives and controllers
specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials
special processes, foundry, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:
WHS Acts and regulations
relevant standards
industry codes of practice
risk assessments
registration requirements
safe work practices
state and territory regulatory requirements
Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to the design task
Systems thinking

Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect, outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain
Product manufacturability
Design for manufacture includes consideration of manufacturing processes and plant, such as the use of group technologies. Manufacturability may be enhanced by concurrent product and process design.
Prototyping
Prototyping may include:
mock-ups, physical and virtual modelling with post-processing for computer numeric control (CNC) and rapid prototyping
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
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to apply manufactured product design techniques consistent with a design brief, relevant standards and conventions. It includes working individually and as part of a team in accordance with organisational procedures.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
communicate, negotiate and review design brief with stakeholders
determine or confirm scientific principles and design techniques, WHS and regulatory requirements, and design specification requirements
evaluate multiple solutions, materials and components, manufacturing processes, tooling and component supply chain for product
investigate life cycle design and sustainability, technical and professional assistance required
plan, schedule and coordinate the design task
select design components using design process and scientific principles
solve problems and make decisions with systems thinking for contingencies and constraints and continuous improvement
define designs, specify and document and apply graphical techniques, modelling, mock-up or prototyping techniques
create and maintain adequate and accurate calculations and design process records
report and document results and processes.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
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.
Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
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.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W5516 MEM14063A Plan and design manufacturing engineering projects Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OEV24 MEM14087 Apply manufactured product design techniques Unit of competency