Finishing materials by physical and chemical vapour deposition processes
URN: SEMMPF339
Business Sectors (Suites): Materials Processing and Finishing Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on:
30 Mar 2020
Overview
| This standard identifies the competencies you need to carry out physical vapour deposition or chemical vapour deposition activities to various substrates, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to access the appropriate specifications, to check that these are the current issue and to extract all necessary information in order to carry out the vapour deposition operations. You will be expected to prepare and adjust the processing conditions to give satisfactory coatings at optimal productivity levels. You will be expected to identify any coating defects, within specified limits and to carry out the necessary actions and adjustments to the equipment in order to eliminate them, or reduce them to acceptable levels. You will need to carry out tests on the components to ensure that the coatings meet the specified requirements. Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the vapour deposition activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities or with the materials and equipment used, 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 physical vapour deposition or chemical vapour deposition processes and procedures. You will understand the vapour deposition process used and its application, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring the finished components are to the required specification. Your knowledge will also include effluent treatment for the waste streams from the coating processes and associated pre and post-treatments. You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the vapour deposition operations. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace and towards the environment. |
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 relevant job 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 required operating conditions and levels 5. carry out finishing according to operating procedures and to meet specifications 6. check that the treated workpiece achieves the required characteristics and meets the finishing specifications 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 types of specifications that are used during the vapour deposition activity 6. how to assess component suitability for vapour deposition (to include methods of handling, methods of pre-treatment, the most efficient and appropriate method of application) 7. the properties of vapour deposited coatings 8. how to interpret vapour deposition coating specifications, or customer specific requirements and how to advise on the correct process for specific substrates 9. the basic principles of operation of the vacuum deposition process plant and equipment, advantages and disadvantages of work placement methods (jigs, baskets, wiring, trays) 10. how to set up and check that the vapour deposition plant and equipment are fit for purpose 11. how to prepare substrates , witness test pieces and check surface condition prior to the vapour deposition process 12. how to carry out the vapour deposition process and the sequence of operations that are required 13. how to carry out visual assessment of workpieces for colour and brightness 14. how to identify and correct vapour deposition processing faults 15. how to recognise the effects of contaminants in the coating process 16. the methods for checking coated surfaces for visual defects and other specified characteristics 17. how to test coated components and/or any co-located witness test pieces for specification compliance 18. how to remove poorly applied coatings without damaging substrates 19. the methods of cleaning and maintaining equipment, including both preventive and reactive maintenance 20. the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve 21. how to access, use and maintain information to comply with organisational requirements and legislation |
Scope/range
Scope Performance
| 1. Finish materials using physical and chemical vapour deposition processes, carrying out all of the following: 1. use the correct issue of drawings, process and other related specifications 2. adhere to health and safety regulations, systems and procedures to realise a safe system of work 3. ensure that the equipment is correctly prepared for the vapour deposition operations 4. ensure that any meters and gauges to be used are within their calibration periods 5. clean all tools and equipment on completion of the vapour deposition activities 6. complete the production documentation (condition/pre-treatment of substrates, coating material preparation, equipment settings, confirmation of standard of finish and any quality assurance requirements) 7. leave the work area in a safe and clean condition 2. Apply coatings to components using one of the following processes: 1. physical vapour deposition (PVD) 2. chemical vapour deposition (CVD) 3. plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) 3. Carry out deposition processes on one of the following substrates: 1. mild steel 2. stainless steel 3. plastics 4. previously plated substrates 5. glass or ceramics 6. other metals, including hard metals 4. Measure and correct two of the following vapour deposition process conditions: 1. processing time 2. temperature 3. pressure at which process is carried out 4. quantity of coating to be vaporised 5. cleanliness of the substrate 6. process gas flow(s) 5. Locate components during the vapour deposition process, using one of the following: 1. racking 2. trays 3. specialised masking jigs 6. Check the processed components for two of the following characteristics: 1. deposit colour 2. adhesion of deposit 3. porosity 4. deposit thickness 5. deposit hardness 7. Check coatings applied to components using physical or chemical vapour deposition processes comply with one of the following quality and accuracy standards: 1. military or aviation standards 2. current industry standards and codes of practice 3. international standards 4. company standards and requirements 5. 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
MPF3.39
Relevant Occupations
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Process Operatives, Process, Plant and Machine Operatives
SOC Code
8115
Keywords
Engineering; manufacturing; processing; finishing; physical; chemical; vapour deposition; parameters; methods