Plastics Manufacturing Machine Setter

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Plastics Manufacturing Machine Setter. A Plastics Manufacturing Machine Setter prepares, sets up, runs and monitors plastics manufacturing machinery and equipment to produce plastic products through moulding or extrusion processes. A qualified learner will be able to: • Remove and install moulds, dies and forming devices and auxiliary equipment according to procedure. • Manufacture plastic products. • Conduct operational maintenance and coordinate major maintenance on machines, equipment and tools following specifications. • Conduct trials on new moulds die and forming devices and materials to determine process parameters.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by stating results or by certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics and Science.

This qualification is to capacitate learners to optimise a production line/environment. The plastics manufacturing industry is characterised by refined manufacturing processes and operates in a highly competitive and challenging environment. The manufactured products must comply with a wide variety of exacting customer and consumer requirements as well as environmental directives. Also, the industry must respond to competition from imports, export opportunities and ongoing development of new products to meet changing customer needs. This means that people working in the industry require a wide range of skills and specialised knowledge to help them respond to the ongoing technological and quality challenges. This qualification replaces the currently registered Plastics Manufacturing Machine Setter qualification which was inclusive of three (3) very different processes. This posed a challenge for learners whose learning careers pursued only one of the three specialised plastics manufacturing process. The revised Plastics Manufacturing Machine Setter qualification makes provision for each of the three (3) plastics manufacturing processes covered by the Plastics Manufacturing Machine Setter qualification. These are catered for in the form of specialised qualifications, namely Blow Moulding Machine Setter, Injection Moulding Machine Setter and Extrusion Machine Setter. The qualification is aimed at both new entrants as well as learners who have been working within the plastics manufacturing industry. The qualification equips learners with skills and knowledge that will enable them to effectively set tools and machines, operate the machines and optimise machine output with minimum waste. Competent learners should be able to participate effectively in various industries that utilise plastic manufacturing processes. For a new entrant or someone from another field, this qualification provides the learning outcomes (skills, knowledge and value credits), required to effectively participate in a structured workplace. This qualification will enable the growth of the sector which will impact positively on society and the economy at large. The qualification also provides learners with the opportunity to advance their careers by pursuing higher-level qualifications. Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to initiate and maintain plastics manufacturing processes by: • Setting up manufacturing equipment and processes to manufacture quality products. • Solving common problems to produce quality products to meet customer needs. • Interacting with others to achieve manufacturing objectives. This qualification will also empower learners with a technical foundation to optimise a production line/environment to meet world-class standards.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by stating results or by certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics and Science.

• Plan and prepare for the plastic manufacturing process.
• Install moulds or die, or forming device or tools and auxiliary equipment.
• Safely set up, program, start up, optimise and shut down the machine and auxiliary equipment.
• Remove mould or die or forming device or tools.
• Conduct operational maintenance inspections and record on machines and auxiliary equipment.