Finishing materials by mechanical polishing
URN: SEMMPF346
Business Sectors (Suites): Materials Processing and Finishing Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on:
2020
Overview
| This standard identifies the competencies you need to carry out mechanical polishing activities, using a variety of methods such as vibrofinishing, fluidised beds, barrels, vapour/shot blasting and rotary polishing, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to access the appropriate specifications, to check that these are current and to extract all necessary information in order to carry out the mechanical polishing operations. You will be expected to prepare and adjust the polishing parameters to give satisfactory finishes at optimal productivity levels. You will be expected to identify any surface defects and to carry out the necessary actions and adjustments to equipment in order to correct them. You will need to carry out checks on the components to ensure that the surface finishes meet the specification requirements. 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 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 mechanical polishing procedures. You will understand the mechanical polishing process used, and its application, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring that the finished components are to the required specification. Your knowledge will also include effluent treatment, for the pre-treatment waste streams from the mechanical polishing systems and associated processes. You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the mechanical polishing 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 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 for the polishing activity and how to check they are current 6. the basic principles of operation of the mechanical polishing process plant and equipment 7. how to set up and check that the mechanical polishing plant, equipment and consumables are fit for purpose 8. how to carry out the mechanical polishing process and the sequence of operations that are required 9. how to clean components prior to mechanical polishing and how to assess their cleanliness 10. how to grade abrasive media used in the mechanical polishing operations 11. how to select the correct media-to-substrate ratio, processing time and speed of polishing 12. how to identify mechanical polishing faults and how to correct them 13. how to decide whether components are suited to mechanical polishing or other processing techniques 14. how to make additions during the polishing process 15. how to identify various finish specifications and how to advise customers about appropriate treatments 16. limitations of geometry and its effect on evenness of mechanical polishing 17. how to test components for specification compliance 18. how to carry out visual assessment of workpieces for colour and brightness 19. how to neutralise and precipitate out effluent waste streams 20. how to clean and maintain processing equipment 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 materials by mechanical polishing, carrying out all of the following activities: 1. use the correct issue of process and other related specifications 2. adhere to health and safety regulations, systems and procedures to realise a safe system of work ensure that the equipment is correctly prepared for the polishing operations 3. ensure that any meters and gauges to be used are within their calibration periods 4. clean all tools and equipment on completion of the polishing activities 5. complete the production documentation (condition/pre-treatment of substrates, coating material preparation, equipment settings, confirmation of standard of finish) 6. 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. barrel polishing 3. vapour blasting 4. fluidised bed polishing 5. barrelling of components with abrasive media 6. shot blasting 7. rotary polishing 3. Measure and correct two of the following mechanical polishing conditions: 1. surface area of components to be processed, compared with the surface area of abrasive media 2. processing time 3. speed of processing 4. size and condition of media to be used 4. Carry out one of the following operations: 1. mechanical separation of polishing media from workpieces after processing magnetic separation of polishing media from work after processing 2. grading of abrasive media 3. selection of correct media for a particular substrate 5. Check the processed components for two of the following characteristics: 1. evenness of surface finish 2. inclusions in the surface 3. colour and brightness 4. surface roughness (visible or quantitative, as required) 6. Check that polished components 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
2023
Validity
Current
Status
Original
Originating Organisation
SEMTA
Original URN
MPF3.46
Relevant Occupations
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Process Operatives, Process, Plant and Machine Operatives
SOC Code
8115
Keywords
Engineering; manufacturing; processing; finishing; mechanical; polish; vibrofinishing; fluidised bed; shot blasting; rotary