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

Operate and monitor a milling machine 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258678  Operate and monitor a milling machine 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Generic Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology 
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 2  NQF Level 02  12 
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 mechanical engineering.

Qualifying learners can carry out milling machining operations to produce simple components using a range of standard machine tools to predetermined specifications.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Explain and discuss milling machine components and operations.
  • Plan milling operation.
  • Perform and quality checks milling operation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This unit standard has been designed as the start of a progression. It is one of a series of unit standards for milling in the engineering machining skills area.

    The credits allocated to this unit standard assume that a learner has already learned to:
  • Select, use and care for engineering hand tools.
  • Select, use and care for engineering power tools.
  • Select, use and care for engineering measuring equipment.
  • Read, interpret and produce basic engineering drawings.
  • Mark off engineering shapes.
  • Maintain a safe and productive work area. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The scope and level of this unit standard is determined by the ranges as indicated under the specific outcomes.

    All work is performed under supervision. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain and discuss milling machine components and operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principle operation, function and processes of the machine is explained to reflect understanding of different machine types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The components and accessories/attachments of the milling machine are identified and explained in terms of their functions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Components include but not limited to columns, table, knee, arbor, turret (quill feed, vertical head), overarm.
  • Accessories/attachments include but not limited to dividing head and tailstock, clamping devices, jigs and fixtures, rotary table, angle plates, cutting tools.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Cutting fluids and/or lubricants are explained in terms of their relevance to different types of materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The implications of using the incorrect sequence of milling activities, operations and decisions are explained in terms of safety, damage and quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Milling speeds and feeds are explained in terms of the formulas used for different materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Safety and housekeeping theory is explained in terms of its applicability to milling operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Pre-operational checks are explained according to machining specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pre-operational checks include but not limited to check oil level, machine guards, machine brake, and level of machine.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Plan and prepare for milling operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal protective equipment are selected to meet legal and organisational safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Machine is prepared for milling operations including lubrication, routine maintenance and pre-operational checks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Drawings are interpreted to determine sequence of step by step operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Machine is set-up to required specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Set-up includes but is not limited to checking if milling machine head is level to machine bed, clocking milling machine head, clocking milling machine vice (set up).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Materials and cutting tools required at workstation are selected and inspected in accordance with milling machine type and process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Cutting tools include but not limited to drills, reamers and different milling cutters.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Measuring equipment required for a work piece is selected in accordance with drawing specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Measuring equipment include but not limited to micrometres and vernier equipment and gauges, protractors, dial test indicators.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The sequence of operations is determined according to drawing specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Milling speeds and feeds are determined and selected for different materials and tools in accordance with manufacturing specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Required milling accessories are selected in accordance with the work piece requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Accessories/attachments include but not limited to dividing head and tailstock, clamping devices, jigs and fixtures, rotary table, angle plates.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    The work piece is set-up and secured without damage to work piece or machine. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform and quality check milling operation. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range of milling operations covered in this standard must include flat machining, square machining, blocking, step cutting, radius cutting and slot cutting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Milling machine is started up and shut down in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The sequence of operations is applied in accordance with the requirements of the specific work piece. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Milling machine is monitored while in operation, making adjustments to speeds and feeds where required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems are recognised and reported in accordance with standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Milling operations are performed in accordance with occupational health and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Milling operations are performed in accordance with the dimensions, drawing specifications and the specified tolerances. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The maximum tolerance is +- 0,1 mm.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Machined component is removed and inspected to determine that it meets specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    A clean and tidy work environment is maintained to adhere to housekeeping requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Milling components and equipment are stored in accordance with standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    Job and time sheets are completed in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
    Incidents reflecting changes or unsafe conditions during milling operation are reported in accordance with workplace and occupational health and safety requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assuror (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.

    The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a relevant qualification and be a subject matter expert in this learning area and at least have 3 years experience in the skills specific area.

    The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification.
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Assessment of a portfolio of evidence.
  • Direct observation in simulated and/or controlled work conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names, functions and locations of:
  • Main parts and functions of milling machine.
  • Machine controls.
  • Accessories.
  • Work holding fixtures.
  • Tools (geometry and composition).
  • Measuring equipment.
  • Personal protective equipment.
  • Common defects.

    Purpose of processes and procedures of:
  • Milling.
  • Material preparation.
  • Safety checks.

    Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Material types.
  • Coolant types.

    Cause and effect, implications of:
  • Implications of selecting inappropriate accessories, work holding fixtures, tools, cutting speeds and feeds.
  • Implications of incorrect installation of accessories, work holding fixtures and tools.
  • Implications of component not meeting specifications, e.g. poor finishes, uneven surface textures, incorrect size.
  • Implications and consequences of situations such as, e.g. damaged or faulty equipment, allowing faulty processes to continue, delaying reports about changing conditions.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Set up procedures for milling machine.
  • Milling operations and procedures covered by this unit standard.
  • Measuring procedures.
  • Machine cleaning procedures.
  • Machine safety procedures.
  • Recording and reporting procedures.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:
  • Applicable safety, health and environmental protection legislation and standards.

    Theory - rules, laws, principles:
  • Applicable basic machining theory covering speeds and feeds, material properties and the underlying principles of milling.
  • Applicable mathematical concepts including geometry, trigonometry and algebra.
  • Applicable underlying scientific concepts.

    Relationships, systems:
  • The relationship of the drawing to the machined component. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Recognise problems while machining components and respond appropriately. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Plan sequence of operations based on job requirements and set up machine appropriately. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Collect sensory and numeric information from the process and the machined component.
  • Classify the information and identify deviations from the norm. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Record outputs, incidents, measurements.
  • Report incidents and conditions.
  • Respond to questions or requests for more details. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Understand and explain machining theory and mathematical and scientific concepts underpinning the machining operation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • The relationship of the drawing to the final machined component.
  • The manufacturing purpose of the machined component. 
    		•

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 13204, "Operate and monitor a milling machine to produce simple components", Level 2, 12 credits.

    Milling machine includes both universal and turret. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  67609   National Certificate: Mechatronics  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  66449   National Certificate: Foundry Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2013-11-07  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.