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Title / Sand wood panels
Level / 4 / Credits / 20
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain fundamentals of panel sanding systems; demonstrate knowledge of sanding technology; prepare to operate a panel sanding system; operate and maintain a panel sanding system; and monitor and control the performance of a panel sanding system.
Classification / Wood Manufacturing - Generic Skills > Wood Panel Manufacturing Skills
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Range
Wood panels may include but are not limited to – plywood, medium density fibreboard (MDF), hardboard and insulating board, particleboard, strandboard, fibre-faced strandboard;
evidence is required for one.
2The 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 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 quality management requirements. This includes the recording (by electronic or non-electronic means) of activities, events, and decisions.
cAll communications must be made in accordance with worksite procedures for content, recipient, timing and method.
3Definitions
Panel sanding system refers to the infeed system, sanders, dust extraction system, outfeed system.
Preventative maintenance refers to the care and servicing of equipment and machinery. This may include periodic checks and inspections, testing, measurements, adjustments, or parts replacement as required in accordance with worksite policies and procedures for the purpose of preventing faults or failures and to maintain production requirements.
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
Explain fundamentals of panel sanding systems.
Evidence requirements
1.1The purpose of panel sanding systems in the wood panel manufacturing process is described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
1.2The operating parameters and capability of panel sanding systems are explained in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangemay include but are not limited to – grit sizes, feed speeds, amount of cut per head, platen pressures, load on sanders.
1.3Operating components and process controls of panel sanding systems are identified, and their purpose is explained, in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangeframe, platens, transport system, dust extraction system, drive system.
1.4The sequence of paper grit size and type used for calibration and polishing is identified in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
1.5Design characteristics of sanders and sander heads used in the candidate’s own workplace are described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangemay include but are not limited to – opposed heads, offset heads, platen cutting surface, drum cutting surface, direction of cut, angle of heads to board flow direction, board cleaning system.
1.6Hazards associated with panel sanding are identified, and the role of protective equipment and safety features, is explained in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangehazards include but are not limited to – the explosive nature of sander dust, the respiratory danger of sander dust;
safety features may include but are not limited to – personal protective equipment, hold cards, lockouts, stop buttons, guards, isolations, fire protection.
1.7The consequences of non-conformance with worksite standards are described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of sanding technology.
Evidence requirements
2.1Physical properties of sanding belts and/or drums are described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangemay include but are not limited to – grit sizes, grit shapes, burnt out, blinding, glazing, sharpness.
2.2Surface defects resulting from sanding are identified and corrective actions described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangedefects may include but are not limited to – scratching, grit marks, chatter marks, furry finish.
2.3Composition of grits used in sanding products is described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
2.4Impacts of belt and/or drum direction on sanding operations and product appearance are described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
2.5Platen making, their set-up and impact on the sanding process and final product quality are described in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Outcome 3
Prepare to operate a panel sanding system.
Evidence requirements
3.1Customer orders are selected and interpreted to set up the panel sanding system in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
3.2Platen condition and positions are checked in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
3.3Belt and/or drum condition and position are checked in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
3.4Dust extraction system is checked for position in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
3.5Input panel checks are completed to ensure panels meet specification and production run expectations in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
3.6Checks ensure that other upstream and downstream processing stages are ready for production.
Outcome 4
Operate and maintain a panel sanding system.
Evidence requirements
4.1The panel sanding system is started up, operated, and shut down in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
4.2Setting and adjustment of operating parameters enable production requirements to be achieved in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangeoperating parameters may include but are not limited to – thickness tolerances, motor loading, feed speeds.
4.3Operating faults in the panel sanding system are recognised, and corrective action is taken, in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
4.4Equipment faults and malfunctions are identified, and corrective action is taken, in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Rangeequipment faults and malfunctions may include but are not limited to – electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, instrumentation.
4.5Preventative maintenance and cleaning requirements are explained and applied in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
4.6Production, maintenance and quality records are completed in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Outcome 5
Monitor and control the performance of a panel sanding system.
Evidence requirements
5.1Monitoring and interpretation of feedback information, and adjustment of control parameters, enable process requirements, plant performance, and product quality to be maintained in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
5.2Visual defects caused by the sander are identified, and corrective action is taken, in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
5.3Output panels meet the requirements of worksite policies and procedures.
5.4Production rate is regulated in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
5.5Waste material is processed in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
5.6Selection of next production stage for product and diversion of out-of-specification product is carried out in accordance with worksite policies and procedures.
Planned review date / 31 December 2016Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 25 January 1995 / 31 December 2012
Review / 2 / 24 November 1995 / 31 December 2012
Revision / 3 / 12 February 1998 / 31 December 2012
Review / 4 / 25 March 1999 / 31 December 2012
Review / 5 / 29 March 2005 / 31 December 2012
Rollover and Revision / 6 / 23 February 2007 / 31 December 2013
Review / 7 / 19 April 2012 / 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 (CMR). 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
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CompetenzSSB Code 101571 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019