SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Maintain the quality of fabricated polymer composite products 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
110276  Maintain the quality of fabricated polymer composite products 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Plastics Manufacturing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  24 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of polymer composite fabrication. The fabrication of composites requires the combination of two or more different materials to form a product. What makes composites unique is that a composite material is formed at the same time as the structure itself is being fabricated. This means that the person who is making the structure is creating the properties of the resultant composite material, and so the manufacturing processes that are used have an unusually critical part to play in determining the performance of the resultant structure. Composites are not like metals, where a sheet might be made in one factory and shaped into a car roof in another. With composites it all happens at once. The products are often subjected to considerable or sometimes extreme stress when in operation and the manufacturing process needs to be consistent and accurate.

This unit standard reflects the skills and knowledge required to maintain the quality of the fabrications and the fabrication process for my own work as well as the work of others.

To qualify, I have to demonstrate that I am able to systematically and thoroughly check the correctness and quality of workmanship of all aspects of the process including documentation, fabrication, finishing and fitting.

The learning outcomes in this unit standard contribute to the exit level outcomes required for the National Certificate in Polymer Composite Fabrication (NQF Level 4) and related qualifications. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
This unit standard has been designed as part of a progression. It is one of a series of unit standards for activities below, at and above this level. The credits assigned to it are based on the assumption that I am learning what is needed for this unit standard as part of my learning for a range of related unit standards. If I have experience in these related activities but do not have credits for them, I can obtain credits by being assessed through a process that recognises prior learning. If I do not have such experience of related activities, then my learning time will be increased. I can choose to be assessed and obtain credits against those other unit standards as I make progress towards the outcomes of this unit standard. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Indications of the range and scope of activities in this unit standard are found below the appropriate specific outcome.
Since this standard is written for a wide range of applications, all specific outcomes, assessment criteria and essential embedded knowledge must be contextualised. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Plan the fabrication sequence and verify the control documentation. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
  • Develop the control documentation for new products 
    		•
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Resin selection and formulation, reinforcement selection and planning the lay out and cutting sequences, including angles 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Refer to consolidated assessment criteria in specific outcome 8. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Inspect laminates, check dimensions, determine acceptability and identify problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Refer to consolidated assessment criteria in specific outcome 8. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor materials preparation, fabrication activities and finishing operations and make adjustments. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Monitor materials preparation, fabrication activities and finishing operations and make adjustments in response to quality issues that arise 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Bills of materials, glass cutting templates, correct tools and equipment, mould readiness, resin formulation, gel coat, laminate and coating methods, lamination sequence, completion within time limits, demoulding time, sequence and process, curing time, fixtures and storage, trimming and edging, polishing, drilling, inserts, bonding and mechanical fixing, corrective action, repairs 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Refer to consolidated assessment criteria in specific outcome 8. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Inspect fabrications, fittings and finishing operations, determine acceptability and identify. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Inspect fabrications, fittings and finishing operations, determine acceptability and identify problems 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Fittings operations include bonded bolted or screwed on components and encapsulations
    Finishing operations include trimming of edges, paints, coatings, joint or installation preparation 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Refer to consolidated assessment criteria in specific outcome 8. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Record and report inspection findings and make recommendations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Refer to consolidated assessment criteria in specific outcome 8. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Liaise with parties involved and monitor the rectification of problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Refer to consolidated assessment criteria in specific outcome 8. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Request and witness all required tests or test procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Refer to consolidated assessment criteria in specific outcome 8. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 8 
    Conduct internal audits and send measuring instruments for calibration. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Mass meters, scales, volumetric measures, hardness testers, thermometers 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The assessment criteria have been formulated in this way to provide guidance to assessors:
  • for the purposes of integrated assessment
  • to achieve a balance between performing tasks and understanding
  • to focus on the achievement of the purpose of the unit standard

    Results achieved
    1. All fabrication defects are identified and all non-conformances are rectified
    2. All fabrication activities are aligned to ensure that quality of fabrications consistently meets requirements

    Indicators
    1. Documents are correctly completed
    2. Legal or international standard requirements are adhered to
    3. Measuring instruments are in good working condition and calibrated
    4. Quality of communication is of a helpful nature and obtains the necessary co-operation
    5. Fabrication activities are regularly and constantly monitored
    6. Observations made are recorded

    Understanding confirmed
    1. Decisions made on rejections or approvals are explained and discussed
    2. Reasons for procedures and practices are explained

    Learning for this unit standard should be done after, or in conjunction with, the learning for the Level 4 unit standard `Fabricate specialised polymer composite parts and complex assemblies` 
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    My assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the MERSETA Education and Training Quality Assurance Body, which has jurisdiction over this field of learning. My assessor will be accredited and have a technical qualification in this learning area.

    I can be assessed in the language of my choice although if I have to report incidents or conditions to someone else, I will be assessed on my ability to report in the language commonly used in my working environment.

    I will be assessed in the workplace but I can submit documents, projects, test results and assignments that were not produced in the workplace.
    I can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    1. Names & functions of:
  • Measuring equipment
  • Terminology used in control documents
  • Defects
    2. Attributes, descriptions, characteristics & properties:
  • Appearance of good and poor laminates
  • End-use requirements and specifications related to the final products
  • National and international quality standards
    3. Sensory cues:
  • Appearance of bead formation, e.g. porosity, discolouration
    4. Purpose of:
  • Inspection and acceptance procedures
  • Meeting legal requirements
  • Records and documentation
  • Monitoring laminating activities
    5. Processes, events, causes and effects, implications:
  • Fabricating and laminating methods, sequences, preparation and finishing
  • Incorrect quality control plans (procedures)
  • Over pressurising
  • Poor fabrication techniques
  • Incorrect procedures, material selection, settings
  • In-service failures, financial and environmental costs
    6. Procedures and techniques:
  • Measuring, laminating, testing and documentation
  • Preparing and joining fabrications
  • Repairing complex laminates
  • Acceptance
    7. Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Codes of practice; pressurised equipment systems regulations; fabrication, inspection and testing codes
  • Related to health, safety and the environment
  • Calibration of measuring equipment
    8. Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Composition of materials and their behaviour
  • Effects of contamination on behaviour of material
  • Principles and design of polymer composite fabrications
  • Joining and repairing laminated fabrications
  • Defects and acceptance criteria
  • Tests: destructive and non-destructive
    9. Relationships, systems:
  • Quality vs cost
  • Conformance to procedures vs quality of end-product
  • Legal requirements vs pressure to increase output 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Identify fabrication defects and initiate processes to prevent and / or rectify these
  • Identify any quality assurance problems and initiate processes to resolve these
  • Identify deviations in process and end product 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others
  • Work with others to maintain a quality focus
  • Liaise with all role-players in the quality assurance cycle
  • Impose quality procedures and disciplines on work group members in a pressurised production environment 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • Model a consistent quality focus in my own activities
  • Apply procedures in a consistent manner 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information
  • Evaluate documentation, finished fabrications and other aspects of the fabrication process
  • Maintain records and data related to the fabrication process 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • Explain and discuss quality issues in a neutral way
  • Convince and encourage work group members to maintain a quality focus 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • Use a consistent, scientific approach to problem solving
  • Use arithmetic statistical procedures 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • Maintain a quality focus in a production and output-driven environment
  • Maintain the customer-needs view 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  36153   National Certificate: Polymer Composite Fabrication  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.