CWE

[nuche1973]

Hi all,
Is anyone out there a Certified Welding Engineer? This has been one of my "career milestones" and I was wondering if I need to become a certified welder prior to obtainging the CWE. The AWS website was vague on this issue. Thanks.

 

[Mr168]

No prior welding experience is required to take the CWI or CWEng exams.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Isn't sort of like getting your pilot's license w/o ever flying a plane??

 

[Twoballcane]

Well there are Aerospace Engineers that never flown planes, but design them.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[nuche1973]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to get the welding certificate.

CCB

 

[Twoballcane]

Hi CCB1, sorry you did not get any intelligent answers. Maybe repost the thread but put “Do I need weld experience prier to becoming a Certified Welding Engineer?” as the title, just because many people glaze over acronyms.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[nuche1973]

Twoballcane,
Thanks, but I think I got what I need. I believe that by geting the welding certificate I'll be better prepared for the CWE. Besides I am a firm believer in being able to build what I design.

 

[KENAT]

One of the manufacturing/production engineers took the UK equivalent course at my last place.

I don't believe he was a certified welder but had done an apprenticeship I believe so most likely had at least a little practical experience.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[Rich2001]

I am a AWS CWEng and hold PE's in both Mechanical and welding Engineering. Obtaining the AWS CWEng is similar to obtaining the PE you must pass the FE exam gain experience and then sit and pass the CWEng exam.

Know you basic ferrous metallurgy, alloying, and heat treatment.
Undserstand phase diagrams,
Know Non-destructive Examination techniques
Know basic corrosoion principles as they relate to welding
Know the basics of welding aluminum, stainless steel, nickel and chrome-moly alloys
Understand basic SPC
Understand AWS standard welding terms.
Be able to develop a wps, inspection plan.


Knowing how to weld helps but knowing the whys are more important.

Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[thruthefence]

This reminds me of when, back in the Pleistocene, & was in Airframe & powerplant training, and was in the welding class, & was having a few questions about releasing aircraft after welding repairs,then required under 14 CFR 65, and about the skill level required to maintain airworthiness. The instructor asked what would you do, if you had an aircraft "down" on the tundra of Siberia, or the Amazon basin, or some-such, and you had to make a repair, and you lacked those skills. How would you handle such a situation, as a certificated Airframe & Powerplant mechanic?? I asked, is there a welding 'rig' on site, there in Siberia? "NO" my instructor replied. I made the comment, that if they had to bring in a welding rig, they might as well bring in a certified aircraft welder. As it turns out, you no longer have to demonstrate welding skills as a "certified Airframe & powerplant " mechanic, but you do need to recognize a bad weld, and have the rudimentary NDT skills to verify your observations.

 

[Rich2001]

I work in the welding engineering field, routinely dealing with companies in Europe and Asia where the IWE is very important. In all cases, that I have been involved with, holding an AWS CWEng has been an acceptable equivalent to the IWE/EWE diploma.

The welding issues are taken very differently in the US compared to Europe. According to the new rules ISO 3834 & 14731, incorporated into ISO 9000 by reference, no company will be certified for any welding-type activity, if they don't have personnel that have EWE or IWE Diploma, this began in 2005.

The courses are the same in any country, held by the Welding Institutes of that country, and also the exams are the same. However, this is not available in the USA. The PE in welding has been shown to be equivalent to the IWE.

The IWE/EWE is a post-graduate course in welding engineering


Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[Mr168]

It is not necessary to sit for the FE to take the CWEng, but it will exempt you from certain portions of the test. Requirements for a CWEng and PE differ significantly, and are far easier for the CWEng.

IMO, the need for Welding licensure and experience depends on what area you're involved in.

If you are doing design work, then you should probably obtain some sort of licensure outside of the typical structural/mechanical PE's. You don't need to know how to run a bead in order to calculate weld sizes, stresses, or read TTT diagrams.

If you're acting as an intermediary between the field and the design engineers, and routinely deal with applicable codes, inspection requirements, service conditions, etc, you need to have some hands on working knowledge of the process. You don't necessarily need to be able to pass a WQT for a 6GR tube weld, but you should at least have some field experience with the applicable processes.

My background is primarily from pot B with a decent heap of pot A mixed in, and being well rounded in that regard put me at an advantage for the role I'm in now. Having the hands on experience will NEVER be detrimental (short of losing a hand).

 

[nuche1973]

Thanks for the information. I greatly appreicate it.