Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 2:00 AM AWST
23/07/2026 2:00 AM 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.
Make basic plugs for composites fabrication
Make basic plugs for composites fabrication
Unit of competency
National Code
MEM26004A
MEM26004A
State Code
WC759
WC759
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/11/2012
Field of Education
030305 - Materials Engineering
Original Release Date
14/11/2012
Nominal Hours
27
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to make plugs for composites for routine or one-off production.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Interpret product requirements
- 1.1 Determine requirements of final product
- 1.2 Determine features of plug required
- 1.3 Identify or develop procedure to make plug
- 1.4 Select tooling required to make plug
- 1.5 Select materials for plug
2 Prepare for work
- 2.1 Prepare personal work plan
- 2.2 Liaise with mould maker in relation to suitable plug
- 2.3 Determine plug features
- 2.4 Set up equipment/workplace
3 Prepare materials
- 3.1 Calculate surface area and required resin volume
- 3.2 Develop cutting list for solid materials
- 3.3 Mark out and cut out sheet materials, as required
- 3.4 Calculate resin content
- 3.5 Develop batch scale formulae for resin system
- 3.6 Prepare non-composite materials to be used
- 3.7 Measure resin components, as appropriate
- 3.8 Minimise waste
4 Make plug
- 4.1 Identify and control hazards
- 4.2 Mix resin system
- 4.3 Fabricate plug
- 4.4 Detail plug
5 Clean up and maintain equipment
- 5.1 Label and store plug for future use
- 5.2 Clean and replace tools ready for next use
- 5.3 Undertake any required minor maintenance of tools/equipment
- 5.4 Clean work area and leave ready for next use
6 Anticipate common problems
- 6.1 Recognise problem/potential problem and take appropriate actions
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.
Procedures
Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheets
temporary instructions
product drawings and/or specifications)
any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations
Requirements of final product
Requirements of final product may be determined from various sources, including:
drawings
product specifications
customer requests
descriptions of required use of product
Pug features
Plug features include:
relief
parting lines
efficient lay-up
Suitability of plug
Suitability of plug includes:
release angles
parting lines
Detail plug
Detail plug includes:
buff
fill
get ready for production
Routine faults
Typical routine faults may include:
gel coat sag
slow curing rates
blistering
wrinkles
pinholes
brush marks
poor surface finish
Non-routine faults
Non-routine faults, which may have multiple causes, may include:
release agents failure
mould release failure
warping or cracking after moulding
Typical process and product problems
Typical process and product problems may include:
structural strength, rigidity and stability of the tooling
dimensional accuracy of the tooling
allowances in the design for shrinkage, deformations and alterations in the process from tooling to mould to finished composite product
placement of flanges, closures, fitments, supports, struts and stiffeners
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
Logs and reports
Logs and reports may include:
paper or electronic based
verbal reports
items found which require action
Appropriate action
Appropriate action includes:
determining problems needing action
determining possible fault causes
rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
Health, safety and environment (HSE)
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence
Procedures
Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheets
temporary instructions
product drawings and/or specifications)
any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations
Requirements of final product
Requirements of final product may be determined from various sources, including:
drawings
product specifications
customer requests
descriptions of required use of product
Pug features
Plug features include:
relief
parting lines
efficient lay-up
Suitability of plug
Suitability of plug includes:
release angles
parting lines
Detail plug
Detail plug includes:
buff
fill
get ready for production
Routine faults
Typical routine faults may include:
gel coat sag
slow curing rates
blistering
wrinkles
pinholes
brush marks
poor surface finish
Non-routine faults
Non-routine faults, which may have multiple causes, may include:
release agents failure
mould release failure
warping or cracking after moulding
Typical process and product problems
Typical process and product problems may include:
structural strength, rigidity and stability of the tooling
dimensional accuracy of the tooling
allowances in the design for shrinkage, deformations and alterations in the process from tooling to mould to finished composite product
placement of flanges, closures, fitments, supports, struts and stiffeners
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
Logs and reports
Logs and reports may include:
paper or electronic based
verbal reports
items found which require action
Appropriate action
Appropriate action includes:
determining problems needing action
determining possible fault causes
rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
Health, safety and environment (HSE)
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
plug functions as intended
plug allows for efficient fabrication of product.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require the fabrication of suitable plugs using appropriate techniques.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Method of assessment
A single assessment event is not appropriate. On-the-job assessment should be included as part of the assessment process wherever possible. Where assessment occurs off the job, judgement must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.
Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways, including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.
The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
plug functions as intended
plug allows for efficient fabrication of product.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require the fabrication of suitable plugs using appropriate techniques.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Method of assessment
A single assessment event is not appropriate. On-the-job assessment should be included as part of the assessment process wherever possible. Where assessment occurs off the job, judgement must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.
Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways, including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.
The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAT54 | MEM26004 | Make basic plugs for composites fabrication | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W992 | MEM31112 | Certificate III in Engineering - Composites Trade | Qualification |
| W236 | MEM30105 | Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems | Qualification |
| W234 | MEM20205 | Certificate II in Engineering - Production Technology | Qualification |