Carrying out mechanical plating operations

URN: SEMMPF238
Business Sectors (Suites): Materials Processing and Finishing Suite 2
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 30 Mar 2020

Overview

This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out material finishing operations by mechanical plating methods, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be expected to confirm with the authorised person, such as your immediate supervisor, that the equipment is ready for the plating operations to be performed and that all the required components/materials and consumables are available. You will be required to operate the mechanical plating equipment in line with safe working practices and approved procedures, continuously monitoring the plating operations and where necessary, making minor adjustments or seeking help from the authorised person to make the required adjustments, in order to ensure that the work output is to the required quality. Meeting production targets will be an important issue and your production records must show consistent and satisfactory performance. Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the mechanical plating activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work to instructions, with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your actions and for the quality of the work that you carry out. Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work and will enable you to adopt an informed approach to applying mechanical plating procedures. You will have an understanding of the mechanical plating process and its application and will know about the equipment, materials and consumables in adequate depth to provide a sound background for carrying out the activities, recognising and reporting plating defects and ensuring that completed components are to the required specification. You will understand the safety precautions required when working with mechanical equipment and solutions. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout. You will also understand your responsibilities for safety and the environment and the importance of taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation,  regulations, directives and other relevant guidelines 2. follow work instructions and specifications 3. ensure the material surfaces to be treated are prepared for the finishing operations 4. check that the finishing equipment and treatment solutions are set up and maintained at satisfactory operating conditions and levels 5. carry out the treatment process following operating procedures and to meet the component specification 6. ensure that the treated workpiece achieves the required characteristics and meets the finishing specification 7. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved 8. ensure that work records are completed, stored securely and available to others, as per organisational requirements 9. leave the work area in a safe condition on completion of the activities, as per organisational and legal requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

1. the specific safety precautions to be taken whilst carrying out the  activities (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials) 2. the health and safety requirements of the work area  and the activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you 3. the hazards associated with  the activities, and how to minimise them and reduce risks 4. the personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the activities 5. the importance of keeping the work area clean and tidy, including the use of 5S or similar techniques 6. how to obtain and interpret the production documentation required during the plating activity 7. the basic principles of the operation of mechanical plating equipment 8. the visual checks to be made on components prior to plating 9. the pre-treatments to be carried out on components prior to plating 10. the methods used to hold/secure components during the plating process 11. the importance of monitoring the equipment settings and plating media during the mechanical plating process 12. how to make additions to the plating media 13. the types of adjustment that can be made to equipment settings to maintain component quality 14. how to identify mechanical plating process faults (including missed plating, bead trapping, poor plating adhesion and density) 15. the basic quality checks to be carried out on mechanically plated components 16. the procedure for the safe disposal of waste materials 17. how to pack and store finished components to avoid damage 18. the importance of completing the production documentation throughout the mechanical plating process 19. the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve 20. how to access, use and maintain information to comply with organisational requirements and legislation

Scope/range


Scope Performance

1. Apply mechanical plating carrying out all of the following activities: 1. use the correct issue of process documentation (specifications, job cards, quality control documentation) 2. adhere to health and safety regulations, systems and procedures to realise a safe system of work 3. confirm with the authorised person that the plant is ready for carrying out the plating operations 4. maintain sufficient quantities of process materials and components during the production cycle 5. where appropriate, seek any necessary instructions/training on the operation of the plating equipment 6. follow the defined operating procedures ensure that the  equipment settings and plating media are adjusted (either by yourself or the authorised person) to maintain the correct customer specification 7. leave the work area in a safe and clean condition 2. Apply mechanical plating, using one of the following techniques: 1. mechanical zinc plating                            2. mechanical aluminium-zinc plating 3. mechanical tin-zinc plating                        4. other mechanical plating process (specify) 3. Carry out three of the following activities during the mechanical plating process: 1. segregate any defective components or batches (pre and post plating) 2. carry out pre-treatments (cleaning, de-greasing, shot blasting) 3. select and mix beads for the appropriate substrate 4. load components safely into plant 5. monitor the plating media and process settings (time, temperature, barrel speed) 6. make adjustments to the plating media or process settings 7. carry out post plating operations (trivalent and hexavalent passivation) 8. apply torque governing lubricants to fasteners 9. carry out separation of beads from components after plating (mechanical or magnetic methods) 4. Identify all of the following types of defects in mechanically plated components: 1. missed plating 2. poor plating adhesion 3. trapped beading 4. poor finish density 5. Carry out four of the following checks on mechanically plated products: 1. freedom from damage                              2. freedom from contamination 3. surface quality/appearance                       4. completeness of the plating operations 5. thickness of plating                                   6. component segregation from beads 7. compactness of deposit 6. Carry out three of the following completion activities: 1. check that components are clean before packing 2. place components in the specified container/area 3. store components in the correct quantities/weight 4. use the correct packaging so as to avoid damage 5. complete the production documentation 6. place all labels/production documentation in the specified location 7. clean the tools and equipment 7. Check  the mechanically plated coatingscomply with one of the following quality and accuracy standards: 1. military or aviation 2. current industry standards or codes of practice 3. international standards 4. customer standards and requirements 5. company standards and requirements

Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

31 Mar 2023

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Semta

Original URN

MPF2.38

Relevant Occupations

Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Process Operatives, Process, Plant and Machine Operatives

SOC Code

8115

Keywords

Engineering; manufacturing; processing; plating; mechanical; promoters; zinc; tin-zinc