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 applies to all compression moulding within the plastics and rubber industries. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the moulding process.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures mean all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards. These may include:
original manufacturer instructions and guidelines for the use of the moulding equipment
relevant procedures relating to safe working practices prescribed for the equipment
local OHS legislation and/or Regulations
site-specific instructions based on production requirements.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
knives/scissors
scoops, measures, scales, fixed gauges
levers and other mould handling devices
mould release sprays or other means of application
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
fumes/vapours
crushing hazards
temperature
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
equipment operations.
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 process and product problems may include:
variations in materials/scorchy rubber
contamination of materials
blank/charge/shot size
mould temperature/temperature
profile demoulding
dirty moulds, damaged moulds.
Causes of faults
Causes of faults include:
wrong raw materials
incorrect quantity of materials
contaminated materials
dirty mould; damaged mould
mould open too long
mould/product temperature/temperature profile
pressure.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
operating temperatures
colour
cycle time
output rate
product weight
product integrity and general conformance to specification/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.
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 materials properties and compression moulding process characteristics in relation to the process requirements and the end product.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
production quality and output standards are met consistently
the process runs consistently and smoothly.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on an industrial compression moulding equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
by using an appropriate, industrial compression moulding machine requiring demonstration of start up, operation and shut down 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.