Unit of competency details

Release 1

New unit

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.

1

Determine characteristics required of the join

1.1

Determine finished application properties

1.2

Develop required technical specifications of join

1.3

Identify properties of surfaces to be joined

2

Select most appropriate joining system

2.1

Short list suitable joining techniques and materials

2.2

Compare technical properties of different joining systems with requirements

2.3

Check material safety data sheets (MSDS) of joining materials

2.4

Determine preparation required of surfaces to be joined

2.5

Select most appropriate joining system

2.6

Make sample join using the system

2.7

Conduct/organise for relevant tests

2.8

Evaluate process evaluation test (PET) results

2.9

Review match of PET results with product requirements

2.10

Review fabrication process

2.11

Make any required changes to system

3

Complete the required join

3.1

Identify and control hazards

3.2

Prepare surface, as required

3.3

Prepare tools and equipment required for join

3.4

Prepare materials required for join

3.5

Undertake required join

3.6

Minimise waste

3.7

Review joined product compared to requirements

3.8

Review materials and techniques selected

3.9

Identify areas for improvement and take appropriate actions

3.10

Complete any required documentation/reporting

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• preparing surfaces
• using hand and power tools
• applying assembly techniques
• applying bonding techniques
• applying joiner

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• adhesives (e.g. plexus – methylmethacrylate)
• sealants (e.g. sikaflex – silicon or butyl mastic)
• mechanical joining
• substrates and interactions with joiner
• surface preparation of substrate
• application methods
• clamping forces (minimum and maximum)
• adhesive/sealant thickness
• primers
• design rules around fastening (e.g. minimum area for pop rivets, rivet spacing and rivet patterns)
• edge finish of pilot holes
• quality requirements with the hole preparation
• quality requirements with the installation of fasteners
• radius of edge of laminate
• effect of flatness and smoothness of joining surfaces
• substrate composition in joining area

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:

• all reasonably available joining techniques and materials were considered
• appropriate techniques and materials have been selected
• the reasons for choosing the technique and materials are sound
• the product meets its required performance.

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 selection of joining methods, justifying the selection made and making a number of joints using both mechanical and adhesive joining 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.

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
• 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

Joining system 

Joining system includes techniques and materials, such as:

• bonding (e.g. adhesive, gluing, ethacrylates, sikaflex and epoxy)
• using composite materials (e.g. Probond, Divelett, K-Lite and Eurmere)
• secondary bonding – cured composite to cured composite
• using mechanical fasteners (e.g. bolts and rivets)

Finished application properties 

Finished application properties include:

• permanent/removable
• waterproof/chemical resistant
• structural rigidity
• strength (tensile, compressive, shear and torsional)
• aesthetic

Properties of surfaces to be joined 

Properties of surfaces to be joined include:

• materials of construction
• physical properties (e.g. strength and rigidity)
• surface properties (e.g. surface finish and surface treatment/coatings)
• size and shape

Preparation of surfaces 

Preparation of surfaces to be joined may include:

• solvent or other chemical cleaning
• chemical etching
• mechanical preparation such as blasting, buffing
• surface smoothing (e.g. machining)
• making of holes or other physical locking features

Most appropriate joining system 

Most appropriate system refers to that system which has:

• compliance with product requirements
• greatest ease of joining
• best financial return
• greatest sustainability contribution

Sustainability 

Sustainability incorporates the three aspects of:

• survival of the ecology/physical environment – which means that an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure the survival of the physical environment
• economic viability – efficiency, cost and waste reduction and competitiveness to support survival of the business
• social sustainability – an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure its continued survival within the community and the survival of the community, including occupational health and safety (OHS)

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

Typical problems 

Typical problems may include:

• incompatible requirements
• hazardous materials/preparation methods
• non-uniform join

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