Unit of competency

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit defines the skills and knowledge required to prepare, configure and test sensors for integration into other digital advanced manufacturing systems and technologies including those covered under the term Industry 4.0. The term sensor is used in this unit for devices that receive a stimulus signal and convert the signal to an electrical signal either within the sensor (i.e. a transducer) or with the aid of an external processor. The term transducer is only used where the distinction between onboard and external processing is important in the unit. Sensors covered by the skills and knowledge in the unit are often referred to as smart sensors and transducers and are usually wireless, distributed, and networked.

The unit applies to individuals responsible for integrating smart sensors with other Industry 4.0 systems and processes to ensure effective data identification, communication, and processing as well as monitoring and control of physical processes. The unit does not include mechanical or electronic maintenance or repair of sensors or connection to electricity supply levels that require an electrical licence.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil.

Competency Field

Applied technologies

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

No equivalent unit

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b7050d37-5fd0-4740-8f7d-3b7a49c10bb2

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. New unit.

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has demonstrated the ability to:

• report on the current use of sensors in the workplace including descriptions of:

• types and locations of sensors
• physical properties measured by the installed sensors
• range of data collected
• sensor data transmission, processing and networking

• report on the opportunity to increase the amount and quality of collected data through:

• use of additional sensor locations and types
• use of intelligent sensors including sensors incorporating self-testing and self-calibration
• use of feedback loops and edge processing of sensor data

• read logic flow and state diagrams
• install and correctly calibrate four different types of sensors including:

• installing and calibrating at least one transducer,
• connecting at least two sensors to a 5G network
• following networking protocols and interfacing standards for installing sensors including:

• input/output (I/O) – digital and analog
• handshaking.

Note: Where a volume and/or frequency is not specified, demonstration must be provided at least once.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

• sensors in a smart factory or workplace and their contribution to:

• providing data for visibility on processes, materials and equipment
• issue identification and troubleshooting
• reliability including preventative and predictive maintenance

• sensors and transducers as sources of data for different levels in an organisation including:

• process or equipment control
• operations management and quality control
• predictive and preventative maintenance
• fault diagnosis
• data analytics for economic gain

• similarities and differences between a sensor and a transducer including:

• sensors and transducers as devices that detect changes in their surrounding environment or the object to which they are attached
• a sensor gives output in the same format as its input information
• a transducer converts the input signal into an electrical signal

• principles for classifying sensors including:

• output signal –
• energy source - active (requiring external power) and passive (no power source required)
• contact and non-contact with input stimulus
• type of output measurement - absolute or relative measurement of input stimulus
• other classifications

• characteristics to consider when selecting sensors including:

• robustness including:

• sensitivity to interference
• shielding/housing needs
• environmental limits– dust, moisture, temperature etc.

• interfacing and signal conditioning
• networking including:

• 5G
• WiFi
• wired
• cloud

• two-way communication
• data processing requirements including:

• on board processing
• adjacent or edge processor
• network or cloud-based processor

• location requirements including:

• physical connections
• positioning to maximise gathering of information

• current and voltage
• output devices/ actuators
• cost

• status register functions: carry(C), Digit Carry (DC), Zero (Z) bits
• accuracy – measured value versus true value
• sensor saturation or threshold point
• developments in sensor technology including awareness of the following and their potential application:

• nano sensors
• micro sensors
• nuclear sensors

Assessment Conditions

• Assessors must:

• have vocational competency in integrating sensors into digital manufacturing processes at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience
• satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 or its replacement and comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, its replacement or equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring state/territory as the case requires.

• Where possible, assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
• There must be access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications.
• Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b7050d37-5fd0-4740-8f7d-3b7a49c10bb2