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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Develop pneumatic and electro-mechanical positioning systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244693  Develop pneumatic and electro-mechanical positioning systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of Fluid Power Engineering who are required to design, install and commission pneumatic and electro-mechanical positioning applications on individual machines. This includes a command of the underlying mechatronic theory, creation of the necessary schematics and selection of components. The learning outcomes in this unit standard also contribute to the exit level outcomes required for the fluid power NQF Level 5 qualification.

Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Design fundamentals of positioning systems.
  • Select and install pneumatic positioning systems.
  • Select and install electro-mechanical stepper positioning systems.
  • Select and install electro-mechanical servo positioning systems.
  • Commission and fault-find positioning systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that a person is already competent in terms of the following outcomes when starting to learn toward this unit standard:
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings at NQF Level 3.
  • Install and program basic programmable logic controllers at NQF Level 3.
  • Install, test, maintain and commission basic electrical circuits at NQF Level 4.
  • Conduct advanced and electro-pneumatic design at NQF Level 4.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of physics relevant to fluid power at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of positioning system design. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Closed-loop and open-loop systems are contrasted in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Limitations of pneumatic and electro-mechanical positioning actuators, sensors and controllers are explained in respect of their accuracy and capabilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Setpoints, actual values, hysterisis, feedback and basic PID control are explained in relation to positioning systems. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Select positioning components. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Components include linear, rotary, pneumatic, electro-mechanical, stepper and servo. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Components are compared for functionality on the basis of performance and cost. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Components are prioritised for suitability in relation to the working environment, cost and availability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Limitations of components are explained in terms of speed, force, strength, accuracy, pressure and flow requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Install positioning components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Components are assembled in accordance with drawings and workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Components are connected in accordance with the circuit diagrams. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Connections include pneumatic, electrical and communications.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The controller is installed in accordance with design specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Commission positioning systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Work is conducted in accordance with workplace safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All connections are verified against design criteria in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Signals are tested and calibrated between controller and positioning components in accordance with design specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    System positioning is confirmed to be in accordance with design criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The end product is evaluated for conformance to customer requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    All relevant paperwork is completed in accordance with workplace requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • SHE requirements.
  • Various control systems.
  • Motion and force.
  • Integration of various pneumatic and electronic components and controllers. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to develop positioning systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to work as a member of a team. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to conduct their work in accordance with workplace requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to calibrate a positioning system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to communicate requirements and findings. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to optimise a positioning system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to optimise a positioning system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58883   National Certificate: Fluid Power  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.