Welding certs 3

[RoarkS]

Could someone please tell me more about the system of welding certifications?

apparently I'm going to be getting a "B17" certification before too much longer... I tried google, and I have no idea what a b17 certification is... other than I typically weld stuff that goes airborne.

Could someone shed some light on the whole certification system for welders?

As an engineer, I've designed parts, had them welded by kids who learned to weld in race shops, had an inspector say weld was done to what I designed, got the design approved and now parts are flying on helicopters.

The whole "welding certificate" just seems like a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Could someone tell me what I'm about to get, and where to learn more. Such as how some guys can have 15 different certs in MIG welding alone and why he is "better" than the kid from the race shop that uses Super Missileweld on 4130 that says I'm nuts for requiring 4130 to be preheated and welded with 4130.

Thanks!

 

[48v]

They were probably talking about AWS D17 which is the American Welding Society's suite of codes for aerospace welding. They appear to have three standards that are currently active.

AWS D17.1/D17.1M – Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications
AWS D17.2/D17.2M – Specification for Resistance Welding for Aerospace Applications
AWS D17.3/D17.3M – Specification for Friction Stir Welding of Aluminum Alloys for Aerospace Applications
(Available - for a price - at

http://pubs.aws.org/search?q=D17

)

To get the specifics, you'll need to look at the specific code you're working to (if they're certifying you to it, they should have a copy you could look at.) In general terms, you should be provided with a written welding procedure which dictates what range of welding variables to use (things like voltage/amperage, gas flow, etc.) Then you'll do a sample weld (or welds) and it will be tested. Assuming your weld passes the tests, you'll be qualified to weld a certain range of joints on materials of similar thickness, and in limited positions. The particulars of what test you'll take and what welds you'll be qualified to do depends on the specific code, and the requirements of your employer.

 

[RoarkS]

Well, guess I should have worn ear plugs a little more often in the shop. Thanks, I know what to do with that.

 

[pipewelder1999]

Here is a powerpoint that I made regarding the subject of certification that highlights a few ideas about the subject of "certification".

Gerald Austin
Greeneville Tennessee

 

[BUGGAR]

"As an engineer, I've designed parts, had them welded by kids who learned to weld in race shops, had an inspector say weld was done to what I designed, got the design approved and now parts are flying on helicopters."

Wow!!

 

[RoarkS]

@pipewelder1999 I got a forbidden and a 404 error on the powerpoint, I would really like to see it.

@Buggar, no kidding right... it honestly was a pretty serious pain in the rear to get everything done. The whole process took about 2 years, and I'm confident in how everything went down, but in there end... yeah that's what happened. Take comfort it wasn't a flight critical part.

 

[pipewelder1999]

I attached it here. Forgot I could do that in t his forum.

Gerald Austin
Greeneville Tennessee

 

[kingnero]

If I'm not mistaken, super missileWeld is 312 filler metal. I've not yet specced this before on 4130, but 4130 should be preheated the instance wall thickness is significant ( frorm the top of my head, 4-5 mm thickness) and most certaoily low hy filler should be used for this.

 

[jwhit]

Pipewelder, thank you for sharing! I think there are a lot of us who have issues with getting the people around us (at all levels of the business) to comprehend what qualification is about, other than a little window dressing.