Carrying out chemical or electro-chemical polishing operations
URN: SEMMPF239
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 chemical or electro-chemical polishing processes, 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 polishing operations to be performed and that all the required components/materials and consumables are available. You will be required to operate the chemical or electro-chemical polishing equipment, in line with safe working practices and approved procedures, continuously monitoring the polishing 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 chemical or electro-chemical polishing 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 chemical or electro chemical polishing procedures. You will have an understanding of the chemical or electro chemical polishing 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 polishing defects and ensuring that completed components are to the required specification. You will understand the safety precautions required when working with chemical or electro-chemical polishing equipment and solutions. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout. You will also understand your responsibilities for safety 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. how to obtain and interpret the production documentation required during the polishing activity 6. the basic principles of the operation of chemical or electro-chemical polishing equipment 7. how to make up the processing solution, safely and correctly 8. the visual checks to be made on components prior to polishing 9. the pre-treatments to be carried out on components prior to polishing 10. the methods used to hold/secure components during the polishing process 11. the importance of monitoring the equipment settings and process solutions during the chemical or electro-chemical polishing process 12. how to make additions to the process solutions 13. the types of adjustment that can be made to equipment settings to maintain component quality 14. how to identify chemical or electro-chemical polishing faults (including pitting, erosion of substrate, perforation, inconsistent polishing) 15. the basic quality checks to be carried out on chemically or electro-chemically polished components 16. how to dispose of spent solutions 17. the methods and procedures to be observed when cleaning out tanks 18. the importance of keeping the processing plant and equipment clean 19. how to pack and store finished components so as to avoid damage 20. the importance of completing the production documentation throughout the chemical or electro-chemical polishing process 21. the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve 22. how to access, use and maintain information to comply with organisational requirements and legislation |
Scope/range
Scope Performance
| 1. Finish surfaces by chemical or electro-chemical polishing, 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 fo the polishing operations 4. maintain sufficient quantities of process materials and components during the production cycle 5. seek any necessary instructions/training on the operation of the polishing equipment 6. follow the defined operating procedures ensure that the equipment settings and process solutions 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. Carry out finishing operations using one of the following polishing processes: 1. chemical polishing 2. electro-chemical polishing 3. Carry out chemical or electro-chemical polishing on one of the following substrates: 1. mild steel 2. brass 3. copper 4. stainless steel 5. aluminium 6. other substrate 4. Apply finishes using one of the following processes: 1. acid solutions 2. chromic acid solutions 3. other specific chemical or electro-chemical solution 5. Carry out four of the following activities during the chemical or electro-chemical polishing process: 1. segregate any defective components or batches (pre and post polishing) 2. apply pre-treatments (cleaning, de-greasing, pickling, rinsing) 3. prepare the polishing solutions 4. load components safely into plant 5. monitor the solutions and process settings (time, levels, temperature, pH) 6. make adjustments to solutions or process settings 7. wiring 8. jigging 9. clean and rinse the tanks 6. Identify all of the following types of defects in chemically or electro-chemically polished components: 1. pitting 2. incorrect colour 3. perforation 4. erosion of substrate 5. inconsistent polishing 7. Carry out four of the following checks on polished components: 1. free from damage 2. free from contamination 3. surface quality/appearance 4. completeness of polishing operations 5. colour 6. brightness 7. dimensional accuracy 8. Carry out three of the following completion activities: 1. check that components are dry before packing 2. place components in the specified container/area 3. store components in the correct quantities 4. use the correct packaging to avoid damage 5. complete the production documentation 6. place all labels/production documentation in the specified location 7. dispose of spent solutions 8. clean the tools and equipment 9. Check finishes applied to components by chemical or electro-chemical polishing comply with one of the following quality standards: 1. military or aviation 2. current industry standards or codes of practice 3. international standards company standards and requirements 4. customer 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
MPF2.39
Relevant Occupations
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Process Operatives, Process, Plant and Machine Operatives
SOC Code
8115
Keywords
Engineering; manufacturing; processing; chemical; electro-chemical; polishing; parameters; methods