Key Components of Effective Welder Training Programs

Continuous learning is something that is very important for both personal and professional development.  This applies to all industries and to all positions.  The welding industry, as many of its counterparts, is challenged with a workforce that is lacking the skills necessary to do the job.  This is driven by the increased demand for welders, […]

Who is responsible for determining weld size?

Who determines what size a weld should be?  This is a question we ask many of our customers.  And we never seem to get a straight answer.  In a perfect world, the design engineer should specify all weld sizes and clearly communicate this through welding symbols on the print.  But that is hardly ever the […]

Learning Welding Symbols: Groove Welds

The ability to write and/or interpret welding symbols is essential for many welding industry professionals including welders, supervisors, CWIs, welding engineers, estimators, QC personnel and more.  Yet, less than 5% of the customers we consult with have at least a basic understanding of welding symbols.   Welding symbols communicate vital information to the welder.  It allows […]

5 MORE Questions You Should Know for the CWI Exam

And fundamental principles for the fabrication of steel structures

Today we’ll cover 5 more very important concepts that are governed by the AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code (Steel). If you missed our last post with the first five questions simply click here.  These concepts can show up as questions in the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Exam. As stated in our article from last week, […]

The Importance of Accurate Documents to Support Welder Qualifications

When it comes to precision welding and fabrication, it only takes one wrong document to cause a major problem.  Still, many companies operate by the motto: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.  Assuming you have incredible attention to detail and a lot of luck, that approach might work for a while.  That’s why companies […]

Who Is Required To Know Welding Symbols?

This is not limited only to welders and inspectors

Knowledge of welding symbols is not a requirement limited to welders. Many other professionals must have the ability to interpret and write welding symbols.  From estimators to designers to quality personnel, this universal language must be understood. In our last post we touched briefly on the importance of being able to interpret welding symbols.  If […]

Can You Read Welding Symbols?

Take the Welding Symbols Test to find out

Welding symbols are the universal language of the welding industry. They are used to communicate vital information regarding the details of a weld including: Joint details Weld size and length Weld sequence Contour finish Location Process Required inspection methods Penetration requirements Etc. Yet this important language is not understood by the vast majority of those […]

9 Basic Steps to Reading Welding Symbols for Groove Welds

Reading welding symbols is very important at several levels of an organization. A welder needs to be able to interpret welding symbols to insure he puts down the right kind of weld, that he prepares the joint properly, that he places the weld in the right spot, right sequence, right dimension, etc. A design engineer […]

Types of Weld Joints

Welding joints vary widely but can be traced back to a few basic joint types.  Typically we hear terms like fillet weld, butt weld, lap weld or corner weld.  These are all all joints but within these there are variations.  Below we outline the joints and provide a graphical representation.  These joint types are categorized […]

9 Basic Steps to Read Welding Symbols

The ability to interpret welding symbols is very important, yet the vast majority of welders have hard time doing so.   A very small percentage of companies require that welder candidates know how to read symbols.   With the shortage of welders in today’s market imposing this prerequisite would not be feasible. What companies need to do […]