Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
This competency unit includes equipment for application of glazes to ceramic or clay products, including -
automatic spray lines
robotic spray equipment
automatic dipping lines
PLC or other controllers.
This competency includes tools and equipment such as -
changeover parts and equipment
computers
measuring and recording equipment
communication equipment
hand tools
safety clothing and equipment.
The process includes setting up and tuning equipment for start up, job change and equipment changes in preparation for production.
Typical problems include -
product feed to and from process
glaze composition and properties
equipment alignment
analysis of all plant data
product quality
equipment speed
taking corrective action.
Plant data includes -
test results
instrument/control panel information
data from physical senses (sight, sound, hearing, etc)
temperatures, pressures, material flow and discharge rates and effects
variations to glaze composition or behaviour
as is applicable to individual plant.
All operations are performed to procedures.

OHS
All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence.

Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an operating plant. 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. 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 competency unit (eg, those parts of element 4 referring to tuning the process). Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

Critical aspects

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

set up/tuning are completed to specifications and within timeframe
glaze application parameters are maintained within limits
glaze is applied to specification
quality is monitored to minimise wastage
start up and shut down occur first time
signals and alarms are responded to immediately
process measurements are continually made or observed
adjustments made are completed in a timely manner to procedures.
These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus, with a walk-through forming part of the response. The assessment activities should include responding to a range of problems.

Resource implications
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. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
This unit has no prerequisite competencies.
Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and corequisites relevant to their processes.

Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of the process sufficient to recognise process conditions and situations that will lead to out of specification production.
Knowledge of the enterprise's standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the process.

Competence includes the ability to:


apply and/or explain:

glaze properties and composition
product properties and requirements for glazing
set up and tuning of all equipment
start up and shut down processes
construction and limitations of the equipment
glaze application faults
quality problems

distinguish between following causes of problems:

raw materials, including glaze and product
set up and tuning
mechanical
electrical/instrument
as is relevant to the operation of the process.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(0)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(1)