Unit of competency details

MEM23004A

Apply technical mathematics

MEM23111A

Select electrical equipment and components for engineering applications

MEM23112A

Investigate electrical and electronic controllers in engineering applications

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Investigate scope of engineering task

1.1

Identify mechatronic and related fundamentals to be integrated into engineering task

1.2

Identify stakeholders to be consulted

1.3

Review functions and features of machines, controllers, devices and automated systems requiring mechatronics

1.4

Confirm WHS, regulatory requirements, risk management and organisational procedures

1.5

Review software techniques required for task analysis and graphics

2

Integrate mechatronic fundamentals

2.1

Use systems thinking to address contingencies and constraints, problem solving and decision making, and continuous improvement to achieve integration task

2.2

Integrate mechatronic fundamentals to achieve task objectives

2.3

Seek technical and professional assistance or clarification of design information, as required

3

Report results

3.1

Record results of investigation, evaluation and integration

3.2

Provide documentation, such as diagrams, calculations, programs and files

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

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• communicating, cooperating and negotiating with stakeholders
• identifying task parameters and context, WHS and regulatory requirements, risk management and organisational procedures
• evaluating task requirements, including principles, techniques, machines, controllers and mechatronic devices, and typical automated systems
• selecting and using software for required analysis and graphics
• planning the task
• solving problems and making decisions using systems thinking and continuous improvement to address contingencies and constraints

reporting and documenting results of investigation, evaluation and integration, diagrams and calculations

• reviewing sustainability implications, functions and features for the engineering task

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• WHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, and risk minimisation and registration requirements
• mechatronic fundamentals, including:

• mathematics
• materials properties
• mechanics
• electrical and electronic fundamentals

fundamentals of controller programming, interfacing and signal conditioning, and which depending on the application may also include:

• chemistry
• light, sound and electromagnetic effects
• thermodynamics and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• fluid mechanics
• fluid power
• system control and data acquisition systems (SCADA) and distributed control systems (DCS)
• computing
• graphics, including computer-aided design and drafting systems (CAD)

• methods and processes for shaping, cutting, joining and coating of metal and other materials
• functions and features of machines, controllers and mechatronic devices and automated systems
• current options and tends in software, including circuit and system layout and simulation

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.

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to undertake investigation of an engineering task to determine the mechatronic fundamentals required by the task and integrating them into a task plan and report the plan and any investigations undertaken.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

• determine task parameters and context and identify and investigate required mechatronic fundamentals
• evaluate task requirements, principles, techniques, typical applications and software
• plan the task
• integrate mechatronic fundamentals to achieve task objectives
• communicate, cooperate and negotiate with stakeholders to achieve integration task
• report and document results.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
• 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. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.
• Assessment must cover the integration of two or more mechatronic fundamentals to achieve the engineering task.
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.
• Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
• Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
• Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

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.

Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance 

Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance may include:

• technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:

• high pressure
• energised fluid vessels
• high temperatures and heat energy capacity
• wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage

• professional support for technologies may include:

• specialist electric motor drives and controllers
• specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials
• special processes, foundry, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures 

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:

• WHS Acts and regulations
• relevant standards
• codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies
• risk assessments
• registration requirements
• safe work practices
• state and territory regulatory requirements applying to electrical work

Systems thinking 

Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect, outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain

Continuous improvement implementation  

Continuous improvement implementation may relate to plant, products, processes, systems or services, including design, development, implementation or manufacture, commissioning, operation or delivery and maintenance.

Improvement processes may include techniques, such as:

• balanced scorecard
• current and future state mapping
• measuring performance against benchmarks
• process improvement, problem solving and decision making
• data management, generation, recording, analysing, storing and use of software
• training for improvement systems participation
• technical training

Constraints and contingencies 

Constraints and contingencies may include:

• financial
• organisation procedural or culture
• physical constraints, such as limits to resources, limits to site access or logistical limitations

Standards and codes 

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular engineering integration task

Sustainability 

Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:

• meeting all regulatory requirements
• conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides
• minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product
• maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community
• minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer

Competency field 

Unit sector 

Planning