Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:13 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:13 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.
Operate thermoforming equipment
Operate thermoforming equipment
Unit of competency
National Code
PMBPROD212B
PMBPROD212B
State Code
W7562
W7562
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/12/2008
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
08/12/2008
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This competency covers the operation of thermoforming equipment and the resolving of routine problems to procedure.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Check work requirements.
- 1.1 Identify work requirements from production plan or request.
- 1.2 Check product, materials and equipment meet requirements for job(s).
- 1.3 Recognise requirements which may not be in accordance with usual practice.
- 1.4 Ask questions of appropriate person to confirm unusual practice.
- 1.5 Identify hazards associated with the job and take appropriate action.
- 1.6 Perform other pre-operational checks in accordance with procedures.
2. Start up thermoforming equipment to procedures
- 2.1 Conduct pre-start checks.
- 2.2 Start up thermoforming equipment
3. Operate equipment to procedures.
- 3.1 Check process is operating within required limits.
- 3.2 Check product is in specification and to required quality standard.
- 3.3 Ensure product is consistently ready for next operation.
- 3.4 Maintain supply of material(s) as required.
- 3.5 Complete logs and records as required.
- 3.6 Keep equipment and work area clean.
- 3.7 Collect and segregate scrap, trim and other materials as required.
- 3.8 Pause machine cycle and perform emergency stop as required.
4. Respond to routine problems in accordance with procedures.
- 4.1 Recognise known faults that occur during the operation.
- 4.2 Identify and take action on causes of routine faults.
- 4.3 Log problems as required.
- 4.4 Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person.
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 applies to all thermoforming operations within the plastics and rubber sectors. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the thermoforming 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:
heaters
mould
stacker
winder
granulator
conveyors and chutes
hand tools used in the thermoforming process
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
slip and fall (such as due to leaks)
temperature (such as from ovens)
hazardous substances
moving equipment (such as opening the tool/mould cavity)
manual handling hazards.
Problems
'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process problems may include:
equipment malfunction
variations in temperature (such as uneven oven temperatures)
pressure
speed (such as cycle times)
variations in sheet or contamination of sheet
product tool damage
machine malfunction
mould/tooling problems
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials.
Typical product problems may include routine thermoforming faults such as:
wall thinning
pin holes
poor surface finish
poor colour dispersion
stacking damage
colour contamination
black spots
scorching
shrinkage
uneven stretching.
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 applies to all thermoforming operations within the plastics and rubber sectors. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the thermoforming 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:
heaters
mould
stacker
winder
granulator
conveyors and chutes
hand tools used in the thermoforming process
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
slip and fall (such as due to leaks)
temperature (such as from ovens)
hazardous substances
moving equipment (such as opening the tool/mould cavity)
manual handling hazards.
Problems
'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process problems may include:
equipment malfunction
variations in temperature (such as uneven oven temperatures)
pressure
speed (such as cycle times)
variations in sheet or contamination of sheet
product tool damage
machine malfunction
mould/tooling problems
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials.
Typical product problems may include routine thermoforming faults such as:
wall thinning
pin holes
poor surface finish
poor colour dispersion
stacking damage
colour contamination
black spots
scorching
shrinkage
uneven stretching.
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.
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:
apply the required skills and knowledge to operate an thermoforming machine
apply approved procedures.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
thermoforming production standards are met consistently.
all safety procedures are followed.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on an industrial thermoforming machine(s) equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
by use of an appropriate, industrial thermoforming machine requiring demonstration of operation and emergency stop procedures
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to 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.
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.
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:
apply the required skills and knowledge to operate an thermoforming machine
apply approved procedures.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
thermoforming production standards are met consistently.
all safety procedures are followed.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on an industrial thermoforming machine(s) equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
by use of an appropriate, industrial thermoforming machine requiring demonstration of operation and emergency stop procedures
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to 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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C5604 | PMBPROD212A | Operate thermoforming equipment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAJ33 | PMBPROD212 | Operate thermoforming equipment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W399 | PMB20107 | Certificate II in Polymer Processing | Qualification |
| W400 | PMB30107 | Certificate III in Polymer Processing | Qualification |
| W401 | PMB40107 | Certificate IV in Polymer Technology | Qualification |