Carrying out mechanical polishing operations
URN: SEMMPF247
Business Sectors (Suites): Materials Processing and Finishing Suite 2
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on:
2020
Overview
| This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out material finishing operations by mechanical polishing 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 polishing operations to be performed and that all the required components/materials and consumables are available. You will be required to operate the mechanical 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 mechanical 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 mechanical polishing procedures. You will have an understanding of the mechanical 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 mechanical polishing equipment and materials. 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 for mechanical plating operations 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 requirements 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 polishing activity 7. the basic principles of operation of mechanical polishing equipment 8. how to prepare and make adjustments to the polishing media 9. the different methods of removing polishing media from polished components 10. the visual checks to be made on components prior to polishing 11. the importance of monitoring the equipment settings and function during the mechanical polishing process 12. the types of adjustment that can be made to equipment settings to maintain component quality 13. how to identify mechanical polishing process faults (including pitting, erosion of substrate, inconsistent polishing, perforation and incorrect colour) 14. the basic quality checks to be carried out on mechanically polished components 15. the importance of ensuring that all components are removed from equipment before polishing the next batch 16. the procedure for the safe disposal of waste materials 17. how to pack and store finished components so as to avoid damage 18. the importance of completing the production documentation throughout the mechanical polishing 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. Polish components, 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 workuse the correct issue of process and other related specifications 3. confirm with the authorised person that the plant is ready for carrying out the polishing operations 4. maintain sufficient quantities of finishing media and components during the production cycle 5. seek any necessary instructions or training on the operation of the polishing equipment 6. follow the defined operating procedures ensure that the equipment settings 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 one of the following mechanical polishing processes: 1. vibrofinishing in bowls 2. barrelling of components with abrasive media 3. fluidised bed polishing 4. vapour blasting 5. rotary polishing 6. shot blasting 7. barrel polishing 3. Carry out three of the following activities during the mechanical polishing process: 1. segregate any defective components or batches (pre and post polishing) 2. prepare the correct polishing media for the substrate 3. load components safely into equipment 4. monitor equipment settings and function (time, speed quality and quantity of polishing media) 5. make adjustments to equipment settings and polishing media 6. remove polishing media from the components by mechanical or magnetic separation 7. ensure that all components are removed before polishing the next batch 4. Identify all of the following types of defects in mechanically polished components: 1. pitting 2. inconsistent polishing 3. erosion of substrate 4. perforation 5. incorrect colour 5. Carry out four of the following checks on mechanically polished components to include: 1. free from damage 2. surface quality/appearance 3. colour 4. freedom from inclusions 5. completeness of the polishing operations 6. brightness 6. Carry out three of the following completion activities: 1. place components in the specified container/area 2. store components in the correct quantities 3. use the correct packaging to avoid damage 4. complete production documentation 5. place all labels/production documentation in the specified location 6. clean tools and equipment 7. Check finishes applied to components by mechanical polishing comply with one of the following quality standards: 1. military or aviation 2. current industry standards or codes of practice 3. international standards 4. company standards and procedures 5. customer standards and requirements |
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Links To Other NOS
External Links
Version Number
2
Indicative Review Date
2023
Validity
Current
Status
Original
Originating Organisation
Semta
Original URN
MPF2.47
Relevant Occupations
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Process Operatives, Process, Plant and Machine Operatives
SOC Code
8115
Keywords
Engineering; manufacturing; processing; mechanical; polish; vibrofinishing; fluidised bed; shot blasting