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Title / Set cutters into cutterheads
Level / 3 / Credits / 10
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: manage hazards associated with setting cutters into cutterheads; strip and clean cutterhead; select cutters; and fit and balance cutters.
The removal of the cutterhead from the planer is not part of this unit standard.
Classification / Solid Wood Manufacturing > Timber Machining
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills and knowledge / Unit 15774, Demonstrate knowledge of timber machining;or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Explanatory notes
1The following apply to the performance of all outcomes of this unit standard:
aAll work practices must meet recognised codes of practice and documented worksite health and safety and environmental procedures (where these exceed the code) for personal, product and worksite health and safety, and must meet the obligations required under current legislation, including the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, the Resource Management Act 1991, and their subsequent amendments.
bAll work practices must meet documented worksite operating procedures. This includes the recording (by electronic or non-electronic means) of activities, events, and decisions.
cAll evidence of communications gathered in relation to this unit standard must be in accordance with worksite procedures for content, recipient, timing and method.
2The reference text for this unit standard is: Training Guide to Set Cutters into Cutterheads, published by Competenz and available from Competenz at or Competenz, PO Box 137067, Parnell, Auckland 1151.
3Definition
Worksite policies and procedures refer to documented policies and to documented or other directions provided to staff. These include, but are not limited to, ways of managing health and safety, environmental considerations, quality, and production, and must conform to legislation. Examples include standard operating procedures, company health and safety plans, on-site briefings, and supervisor’s instructions.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Manage hazards associated with setting cutters into cutterheads.
Evidence requirements
1.1Hazards associated with setting cutters into cutterheads are identified and actions to be taken to isolate, minimise or eliminate the hazards are described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangehazards may include but are not limited to – tools left in the machine, components coming loose, guards not in place, loose clothing, inadvertent starting of the machine, noise.
Evidence of four is required.
1.2Safe work practices associated with setting cutters into cutterheads are used in accordance with worksite policies and procedures and legislative requirements.
Rangepractices include– isolation procedures, lock-outs, emergency stops, machine guarding, wearing of appropriate safety equipment.
Outcome 2
Strip and clean cutterhead.
Evidence requirements
2.1Cutterheads are locked to prevent damage or injury in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
2.2Cutterheads are cleaned of all foreign matter in accordance with worksite policies and procedures. The effects foreign matter has on setting operations are explained in accordance with the reference text.
2.3All installed cutters, bolts, jibs and wedges are removed according to manufacturer’s specifications.
Outcome 3
Select cutters.
Evidence requirements
3.1Cutters are selected in accordance with job requirements and factors involved in their selection are explained in accordance with the reference text.
Rangefactors include - number, dimensions, shape, steel composition, back type, planer capability.
3.2Cutters are selected in accordance with worksite policies and procedures and are sharp, balanced, and in matched sets.
Outcome 4
Fit and balance cutters.
Evidence requirements
4.1All cutters, bolts, jibs and wedges are set in or on the cutterhead according to manufacturer's specifications.
4.2All cutters are set in sequence around the head and torqued to manufacturer’s specifications. The effects of not setting and torquing in sequence are explained in accordance with the reference text.
4.3The tightness of the cutters in the head is checked for compliance with worksite safety requirements.
4.4Static and dynamic balance are described in accordance with the reference text.
4.5The effects of, and remedies for, out of balance cutters are explained in accordance with the reference text.
4.6Cutterheads are stored in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
4.7Records are completed in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Planned review date / 31 December 2015Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 27 January 1994 / 31 December 2012
Review / 2 / 24 October 1996 / 31 December 2012
Review / 3 / 10 February 1999 / 31 December 2012
Review / 4 / 18 December 2006 / 31 December 2012
Review / 5 / 15 April 2011 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0173
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Competenz at if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
CompetenzSSB Code 101571 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018