Clarification on welding operator essential variables

[Jegan Thiyagarajan]

As per Sec IX QW-360; For welding operator P.No & F.no is not an essential variable

It's related to Overlay welding (Cladding). I have a qualification for welding operator with AISI4130 base material + Inconel 625 filler wire.

Whether this welding operator can do overlay welding (Cladding) for different Base material with different filler wire without qualifying him again.

Since we have different welding procedure as below, we don't think we need to qualify welding operator for each procedure as below according to ASME SEC IX clause QW-361.2

My concern is we have different procedure qualification (WPS) in our database. If welding operator qualified for Sl.No.1 below can weld Sl.No. 2 to 7 within the limits of the essential variables QW-361.2 considering base material and filler wire only.

Sl.No. 1, Base material AISI4130 + Filler wire Inconel 625
Sl.No. 2, Base material A106 + Filler wire Inconel 625
Sl.No. 3, Base material A106 + Filler wire SS316L
Sl.No. 4, Base material SA234 WP22 Cl 3+ Filler wire SS 347
Sl.No. 5, Base material API 5L X65 PSL2 + Filler wire SS 316L
Sl.No. 6, Base material F22 + Filler wire Inconel 625
Sl.No. 7, Base material Alloy 625 + Filler wire Inconel 625

Additional in QW-305 Paragraph 2 tells,
A welding operator qualified to weld in accordance with one qualified WPS is also qualified to weld in accordance with other qualified WPSs within the limits of the essential variables of QW-360.

Please help me.

 

[Dhurjati Sen]

Dear Jegan Thiyagarajan,

Check QW-433.

Regards.

DHURJATI SEN
Kolkata, India

 

[Jegan Thiyagarajan]

Dear Dhurjati sen,

I reviewed QW-433, this is for alternative F.No for welder performance qualification. This will not applicable for welding operator performance qualification.

Because the term welder and welding operator are different as per ASME Sec IX.

Thanks
Jegan.t

 

[Don56]

Based on the information supplied he should be qualified. See QW-381.

 

[Jegan Thiyagarajan]

Daer Don56,

Would you please explain this in detail?

Thanks
Jegan Thiyagarajan

 

[DekDee]

Jegan,
I think it is just an unfortunate ommission by the code committee (QW 433).
This is applicable to welding operator as well as welder.
Regards,
Shane

 

[Dhurjati Sen]

Dear DekDee,

Thanks & regards.

DHURJATI SEN
Kolkata, India

 

[Don56]

See the last paragraph of QW-305 and QW-360 and QW-380.

 

[Jegan Thiyagarajan]

Dear DekDee,

Thanks.

QW-423 Alternative base materials for welder qualification is also applicable for both welder and welding operator.

Bcoz we qualified our welding operator on AISI4130 base material (Unassigned).

plz advice.

 

[DekDee]

Follow Don56s advice.
This forum is not a training centre - if you are responsible for welder / welding operator and weld procedure qualification you should have sufficient experience to be able to answer your own question.
Or hire someone who is.
Regards,
Shane

 

[Jegan Thiyagarajan]

I am responsible for welding operator only. In our organization, we used to weld cladding by machine welding (Fronius International machine) GTAW-P Process.

As per Section IX:
Welder - one who performs manual or semi-automatic welding
Welding operator - one who operates machine or Automatic welding equipment.
Machine welding - welding with equipment that has controls that can be adjusted by the welding operator.

From my knowledge, the expert may not omit the welding operator from QW-433 unknowingly. As you said its unfortunate omission by the code committee.
Yes as Don56 said, the welding operator can weld other qualified WPS without affecting essential welding variable as mentioned QW-360 & QW-381.
Hope you understand.

 

[DekDee]

Jegan,
Forget about QW 433.
Follow QW 381 and QW 360 - that is what is applicable to you.
Regards,
Shane