Robotic Welding Qualification?

[Zachery]

This is a new one for me. We are getting a robotic welding machine (GMAW Spray). Do I only have to qualify welding procedures for this, or do I have to qualify the operators of the robot also? Can I use ASME Sec. IX, or is there an different standard that I need to use for this?

Thank you for your help,
BOI

 

[Sammy19]

I can't speak about the ASME side but under AWS i'm pretty sure you would use the same welder qual processes as you would for a Sub-Arc operator.

 

[dbooker630]

In our shop we also have a robotic welder. We qualify the welding operators per AWS D1.1 Clause 4 procedures because they have to tack pieces together before weld and occasionally have to repair pieces after welding. We also add an educational portion to the qualification that includes welding safety, machine operation, understanding of welding terminology, and types of welding flaws. We took the position that the operator would not simply be a button pusher, they need to have at least a general idea of what is going on in the weld process.

 

[Sammy19]

It's usually better and cheaper to teach a welder how to program a robot than it is to teach a robot programmer how to weld...

 

[humanengr]

I agree with the previous two responses. AWS D1.1 - Part C - discusses qualifications applicable to welders AND welding operators. Based on that, I believe the human responsible for proper use of the robot welder should be qualified per AWS as a welding operator.