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 includes the use of equipment and materials to form composite products using a chopper gun/depositor. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the process.
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.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
open moulds for composite products
hand tools for mixing and application
knives and cutters to trim fibres
chopper gun/depositor, pots, pumps and controls
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
spills dusts/vapours
slip and fall
temperature
hazardous substances
manual handling hazards
knife hazards.
moving equipment
manual handling hazards.
Problems
'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution / a solution recorded in the procedures.
Typical routine faults such as:
dry and/or wet laminate
runs, sags, excessive build-up at edges of mould
poor surface finish
release damage
cracks, dents or imperfections of the mould.
Non-routine faults, which may have multiple causes include:
release problems
distortion of product after demoulding
warping and cracking after demoulding.
Typical process and product problems may include:
variations in materials, colour, consistency or mix
variations in temperature, pressures and resin-to-fibre ratios
contamination of materials
incorrect quantity of materials
contaminated materials/additives
equipment faults
mould damage
wrong raw materials/additives
incorrect quantity of materials/additives
machine failure.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
temperatures and humidity of environment
resin to fibre ratios
surface finish/appearance
product integrity and general conformance to specification and quality sample.

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.
Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in PMBPROD2980A Operate resin-glass depositor equipment, it may be co-assessed with this unit.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
identify critical material properties and process variable in relation to the process requirements of the end product.
make adjustments to the process as required.
identify and take appropriate action on problems and potential problems.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
composites production standards are met consistently
all safety procedures are always followed.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on chopper-gun depositor equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
using an appropriate processing plant
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.
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.