Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to create, edit, test and document computer controlled calibration procedures for test and measurement instruments. This may be in response to the introduction of alternative or new equipment, changing test circumstances, activities involved in research and development trials or to meet client needs. The unit covers performance of automated, including computer-aided, calibrations as well as the programming and control of automated calibration systems. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to calibration technicians/specialists who carry out tests and/or calibrations in first, second and third party laboratories, and laboratories where testing and/or calibration forms part of inspection or product certification. They require a substantial, in-depth technical knowledge across a broad spectrum of advanced calibration practices and technologies, including a thorough understanding of equipment specifications and proprietary software writing skills. They are authorised by their laboratory to create or modify calibration procedures. They work with limited guidance and results of their work are checked by the laboratory manager, quality inspector or designated signatory. Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These can be found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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MSL905002A |
Create or modify calibration procedures |
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MSL905001A |
Perform non -standard calibrations |
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MSL904001A |
Perform standard calibrations |
Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Assess the suitability of available automated procedures |
1.1. Determine the technical and quality deficiencies of the current automated calibration procedure 1.2. Research alternative established procedures, if available 1.3. Establish whether an available procedure can be customised or if a new procedure is needed 1.4. Obtain internal approval to develop an automation plan and strategy 1.5. Identify the resources required for automation and verify they meet necessary quality, laboratory and technical requirements 1.6. Confirm that the automated procedure will meet the needs of the client, if applicable |
2. Create or edit automated procedure |
2.1. Identify and document all relevant calibration data to be collected, including parameters and ranges to be tested 2.2. Check that instructions are adequately documented to ensure repeatability of test 2.3. Document hazards and safety measures to be observed 2.4. List the requirements for calibration approval and rejection 2.5. Specify data to be recorded and produce a results template, if required 2.6. Edit or compile the procedure using appropriate software 2.7. Confirm that all calibration requirements can be fulfilled by using the procedure 2.8. Test run the program, check errors and debug as necessary |
3. Configure instruments/ equipment |
3.1. Use the appropriate personal protective equipment, safety equipment and procedures 3.2. Configure workstation, reference standards, instruments and equipment 3.3. Verify performance of reference standards, instruments and equipment prior to use and adjust or calibrate as necessary 3.4. Identify and minimise potential sources of measurement error |
4. Refine the automated procedure |
4.1. Run automated procedure to confirm functionality of all steps 4.2. Recognise non-conforming results or data and amend the program or troubleshoot procedure/equipment as necessary 4.3. Verify all data are the result of valid measurements and all calculations are correct 4.4. Confirm the integrity of procedure at each step to ensure repeatability of measurement |
5. Verify automated procedure is fit for purpose |
5.1. Generate a calibration report and compare results achieved with other methods 5.2. Systematically analyse all measurement and environmental factors that may influence results and take corrective action 5.3. Quantify the uncertainties of results by analysing equipment specifications and test methodology 5.4. Arrange for internal peer checking of procedure, data and results and incorporate feedback 5.5. Review feedback from other laboratories to assess acceptance of procedure, if applicable 5.6. Confirm the procedure is fit for purpose and relevant to the client's needs and document as required |
6. Document and review automated procedure |
6.1. Ensure that the procedure is written in accordance with enterprise procedures or statutory and regulatory requirements 6.2. Ensure that the procedure has been reviewed in accordance with enterprise procedures 6.3. Report and present the procedure to appropriate personnel for validation before use |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
Specific industry Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different industry sectors. For example, testing conducted in the following fields:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment. This unit of competency may be assessed with:
Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment. |
This competency in practice |
Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. Background Automated calibration relies heavily on computers to assist technicians do their jobs. While calibration software is used to conduct the actual calibrations, it is usually not necessary to know how to program in a computer programming language to conduct the actual tests. Most systems do not require high-order programming expertise for generating calibration procedures. Often, procedures are self-documenting and resemble familiar manual procedures. Most off-the-shelf applications incorporate error checking, online help screens, tolerance calculation, and test uncertainty ratio checking. Many systems display illustrations that show connection points or operator locations of adjustments in devices being tested. Sample procedures are often provided to guide new users through the steps of writing an automated procedure for an instrument. Calibration The laboratory supervisor presents a signal generator to a senior calibration technician/specialist and explains that a client will send another 20 units for calibration if the laboratory can calibrate each item within a day. The laboratory currently has an automation station configured to test similar instruments in five hours and therefore the client's request should present no problem. On closer inspection, the specialist realises that the instrument is fitted with a higher-specification option rendering the laboratory's automated procedure deficient in a number of respects. The specialist searches the internal database for something more applicable but concludes that either a new procedure needs to be sourced externally or the current one needs to be modified. Checks on the internet confirm that no suitable procedure has been developed yet so they obtain approval from the supervisor to edit the current one. The specialist determines which tests have to be modified and where new instructions have to be compiled. They analyse all the equipment specifications, including calculating the measurement uncertainties and what data is to be collated. Particular attention is paid to highlighting the safety measures that must be observed. On completion of the software program, the specialist conducts a dummy run to confirm that the program is bug free. A colleague vets the procedure and verifies that each step is technically justified. The supervisor emails a copy of the procedure interstate for external validation by means of inter-laboratory comparison. Following successful feedback, the laboratory obtains agreement from the client to use the procedure, calibrates the instrument in 5.5 hours and returns it with a certificate of conformance. The automated procedure is entered into the laboratory's database as an authorised procedure and distributed to affiliated laboratories. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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Codes of practice |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used |
Standards , codes , procedures and /or enterprise requirements |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
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Editing or creating automated procedures |
Editing or creating automated procedures may involve using, testing and or calibrating the following:
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Hazards |
Hazards may include:
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Safety procedures |
Safety procedures may include:
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Communication |
Communication may be with:
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Working environment |
The working environment will have a controlled environment but could be a:
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Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Calibration |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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