WELDER PERFORMANCE-ASME SECTION 9

Date 10-16-2008 20:48

Both are essential variables the difference is the way the process is performed.

QW-354 is for semiautomatic SAW (hand held)

QW-361.2 is for machine SAW

If you are asking which one applies to a welding operator, I would say QW-361.2.

Tried to locate a statement saying "Welders qualified for SAW, GMAW, FCAW, or GTAW shall be considered as qualified welding operators in the same process(es) and subject to the welder essential variable changes" but, this is ASME not AWS. (AWS D1.1:2006 Table 4.12 note b)

By qaqcmpm (*)

Date 10-19-2008 08:01

"Automatic welding: Both electrode travel(spool feed) and holder travel is automatic. Example: submerged Arc Welding, ENC welding etc."

Hence for SAW QW 361.1 is applicable? what is machine welding? any process name?

By Shane Feder (****)

Date 10-19-2008 10:23

qaqcmpm,
QW 392
Welding, machine - welding with equipment which performs the welding operation under the constant observation and control of a welding operator. The equipment may or may not perform the loading and unloading of the work.
Welding, semiautomatic arc - arc welding with equipment which controls only the filler metal feed. The advance of the welding is manually controlled.
Welding, automatic - welding with equipment which performs the welding operation without adjustment of the controls by a welding operator.The equipment may or may not perform the loading and unloading of the work.
Welding Operator - one who operates machine or automatic welding equipment (that rules out QW 354 as hand held SAW is semiautomatic and therefore it is welder qualification and not welding operator qualification.)

The difference between automatic and machine welding is a bit unclear but the way I am interpreting it is automatic welding is robotic welding with any process and machine welding is any process (incuding SAW) where the welding operator makes adjustments to the equipment while the weld is being performed.
Hope that helps,
Regards,
Shane

By qaqcmpm (*)

Date 10-19-2008 10:57

Thanks Mr shane. Then for SAW -QW 361.2 shall be applicable. But our inspector refuses to accept this and he says both QW 354 & QW 361.2 shall apply. Is there any reference in Section IX for this to argue with him?

By Shane Feder (****)

Date 10-19-2008 11:37

qaqcmpm,
As motgar and I have noted QW 354 is for hand held SAW and QW 361.2 is for mechanized SAW.
QW 352 through to QW 357 are essential variables for welders and QW 361.1 and QW 361.2 are essential variables for welding operators.
It is dependant on which method of SAW you are using as to whether it is QW 354 or QW 361.2.
It cannot be both as your inspector is trying to enforce.
Hope that helps,
Regards,
Shane

By jon20013 (*****)

Date 10-19-2008 23:36

qaqcmpm, show your inspector QW-300.1