Assembling mechanical products
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out assembly operations to produce mechanical assemblies, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to prepare the work area, and ensure it is safe and free from hazards. You will also be required to check the specified components are available and fit for purpose, to obtain all relevant and current documentation, to obtain the tools and equipment required for the assembly operations, and to check that they are in a safe and usable condition. In carrying out the assembly operations, you will be required to follow company procedures and specified assembly techniques, in order to assemble the mechanical product.
The assembly activities will also include making all necessary checks and adjustments, to ensure the components are correctly orientated, positioned and aligned, that moving parts have the correct working clearances, all fasteners are tightened to the correct torque, and that the assembled parts are checked for completeness and function as per the specification.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the assembly activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the assembly activities, materials or equipment that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying the assembly techniques and procedures. You will understand the mechanical product being assembled, and its application, and will know about the equipment, relevant components and joining techniques, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the assembly activities. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- follow the relevant instructions, assembly drawings and any other specifications
- check that the specified components are available and that they are in a usable condition
- assemble the products in their correct positions using the appropriate methods and techniques
- secure the products using the specified connectors and securing devices
- check the completed product assembly to ensure that all operations have been completed and the finished assembly meets the required specification.
- complete the required production documentation
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- the health and safety requirements of the work area in which you are carrying out the assembly activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- Regulations with regard to the substances used in the assembly process
- the hazards associated with producing mechanical assemblies, and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
- the personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the assembly activities
- how to extract and use information from engineering drawings and related specifications (to include symbols and conventions to appropriate standards) in relation to work undertaken
- how to interpret first and third angle drawings, imperial and metric systems of measurement, workpiece reference points and system of tolerancing
- the general principles of mechanical assembly, and the purpose and function of the components and materials used, including component identification systems
- preparations that need to be undertaken on the components prior to fitting them into the assembly
- the assembly/joining methods, techniques and procedures to be used, and the importance of adhering to these procedures
- how the components are to be aligned, adjusted and positioned prior to securing, and the tools and equipment that is used
- the importance of using the specified components and joining devices for the assembly, and why you must not use substitutes
- where appropriate, the application of sealants and adhesives within the assembly activities, and the precautions that must be taken when working with them
- the quality control procedures to be followed during the assembly operations
- how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure the accuracy, position, security, function and completeness of the assembly
- how to detect assembly defects, and what to do to rectify them
- the methods and equipment used to transport, lift and handle components and assemblies
- how to check that the tools and equipment to be used are correctly calibrated and are in a safe and serviceable condition
- the importance of ensuring that all tools are used correctly and within their permitted operating range
- the importance of ensuring that all tools, equipment and components are accounted for and returned to their correct location on completion of the assembly activities
- problems with the assembly operations, and the importance of informing appropriate people of non-conformances
- the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
- Carry out all of the following during the assembly activities:
- obtain and use the appropriate documentation
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
- follow safe practice/approved fitting procedures at all times
- check that all cables, extension leads or air supply hoses are in a serviceable condition
- check that all tools and measuring equipment are within current calibration/certification dates
- use lifting and slinging equipment in accordance with health and safety guidelines and procedures
- ensure that the components and pipes used are free from foreign objects, dirt or other contamination before assembling them
- return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the fitting activities
- leave the work area and machine in a safe and appropriate condition on completion of the activities
- Produce assemblies using four of the following methods and techniques:
- assembling of components by expansion/contraction
- applying sealants/adhesives
- fitting (such as filing, scraping, lapping or polishing)
- electrical bonding of components
- securing using mechanical fasteners/threaded devices
- assembling of products by pressure
- setting working clearances
- drilling
- reaming
- balancing components
- applying bolt locking methods
- shimming and packing
- blue-bedding of components
- aligning components
- torque setting
- soldering/brazing
- fusion (non-critical joints)
- riveting
- Assemble products to meet the required specification, using seven of the following components:
- assembly structure (such as framework, support, casings, panels)
- fabricated components
- pre-machined components
- levers/linkages
- pipework/hoses
- cams and followers
- bearings
- bushes
- shafts
- couplings
- keys
- gears
- belts
- seals
- gaskets
- chains
- sprockets
- pulleys
- springs
- other specific component
- Assemble products using two of the following assembly aids and equipment:
- workholding devices
- lifting and moving equipment
- specialised assembly tools/equipment
- jigs and fixtures
- shims and packing
- rollers or wedges
- supporting equipment
- Carry out the required quality checks, to include eight from the following, using appropriate equipment:
- positional accuracy
- freedom of movement
- component security
- completeness
- dimensions
- orientation
- alignment
- function
- bearing end float
- operating/ working clearances
- free from damage or foreign objects
- Produce mechanical product assemblies which comply with one of the following quality and accuracy standards:
- company standards and procedures
- relevant standards and procedures
- specific system requirements
- customer standards and requirements