Who can create a WPS?

Date 05-20-2012 23:29 Edited 05-20-2012 23:32

Well, it's not that a CWI CAN'T, but they are not REQUIRED to know how to write WPS's.

As to the main point of your question, ANYONE CAN write a WPS. The only requirements is that it conforms to the applicable code with all it's qualifications. They need only have the proper information to fill in all the blanks in a proper fashion that the welders can follow to accomplish the job per specs in the Contract Documents. The Fabrication Company owner, a welder, a QC dept, an outside source, etc.

The completed WPS must pass muster by the EOR for the job and then a review by the CWI on the job who is responsible to make sure all perameters, process, etc are appropriate for the materials specified for the job.

You really need B2.1, D1.1 2010, and some other resources to make sure you get all the information required.

And... WELCOME TO THE AWS WELDING FORUM!!

Have a Great Day, Brent

By jshot

Date 05-21-2012 02:16

Thanks Brent, I have been a CWI for 6 years and just recently started doing certifications as a third party. They already have WPS's in place but they need revising due to a change in filler metal and shieding gas. I advised the shop forman to make the revision and change the revision number. Also, this forman has taken the position over due to termination of current forman. Being the WPS's have the previous persons name should not matter. Correct? I had him make the changes and place his name on the WPS. I know the D1.1 code book explains that the manufacture/contractor must create the WPS's, but I was uncertain of what credentials they shoud have or should be an engineer and so forth. Through searching online and from the post I have seen on this forum I have learned a lot.

I do have another question you may be able to help me with. The WPS's this company has say that they are prequalified. The person now in charge of the WPS and qualification of welders is uncertain of the creation of these WPS's. How does one find out how these WPS were prequalfied in the first place?

Thanks for your help.

By CWI555

Date 05-21-2012 09:33

Bounce the WPS against the prequalified criteria in D1.1.

By qcrobert (***)

Date 05-21-2012 13:04

Any person with knowledge can write and qualify a WPS.

Name on WPS is not important. I usually sign the new WPS showing revisions and keep the old WPS behind it to show what was changed.

You state that the WPS needs to be revised due to a change in shielding gas? If so you will need to requalify in that a change in shielding gas is an essential variable. Check the D1.1 table for Essential Variable Changes to PQR Requiring Requalification.

Be careful is contractual requirements switch over to ASME because there are many differences between AWS & ASME for both PQR & WPQ.

Hope this helps,
QCRobert

By jshot

Date 05-21-2012 19:57

Hi Robert and thanks for the information.

I guess what I'm confused about is the word Prequalified. The WPS's this company has are prequalified and I don't know the background history of the revisions because there have been 4. How were these WPS's considered Prequalified? And if the shielding gas percentages change but are reccomended by the filler metal manufacture then doesn't that mean the shielding gas then falls under as prequalified. I guess I'm just very confused with the word prequalified.

Thanks

By qcrobert (***)

Date 05-21-2012 20:15

Although this may be an odd question I have to ask, "Do you have a current edition of AWS D1.1 in front of you?"

Look up the section Prequalification of WPSs and read it in its entirety. Read the Scope, Welding Processes, Base Metal/Filler Metal Combinations, etc...

If your joint configuration fall under the prequalified joints as shown in the code book and all other essential variables are the same as you will use in production welding then you may develop a (written) Prequalified WPS to test you welders to without having to perform rt, bend and tensile pull tests.

Not to be condenscending but knowledge of prequalified WPS is part of the CWI test.

Hope this helps, if not just ask more questions after reading.
QCRobert

By jshot

Date 05-23-2012 02:42

No problem, as stated, I have just recently started doing weld inspection after getting my CWI 6 years ago. I have been instructing welding for more than 15 years but I am wanting to further my knowledge with inspection. I'm fimiliar with the section in D1.1 but clarity of subject matter was just giving me a fit due to the formation of the WPS's that have had contact with recently. Your assistance has been great I have a better understanding. Thanks a lot.