By ctacker 
Date 02-14-2014 02:09
Edited 02-14-2014 02:19
Are there prequalified joints such as D1.1?No
Will a mill test report be needed?Not really required as you are testing welds, not base material.( but you need to know what the base material is)
Last one, with your experience, can a CWI qualify a weld test when presented with an already bent specimen provided by the manufacture? How can you verify who welded what when the specimens are already bent?. You can look at the specimen and say whether it is a good bend or not, but I wouldn't put my name down as the one who qualified the welder.
You're welcome.
The way that it should work is that you (your company) provide a WPS that contains all of the essential and non essential variables from Article II for the welders to follow. The WPS shall be qualified or, if applicable, be an AWS SWPS (Standard WPS) You can search the AWS website and purchase from there.
Find WQ-256, for GTAW, for example and remember to ALWAYS pay attention to if it a WPS, PQR or a WPQ.
For that process it will have an X in the column to determine if it is Essential or not. All Essential Variables must be addressed on the WPS. In the left hand column it has the paragraph (QW-402) then .1 to address Goove Design. Then a Brief of Variables, addition or deletion or a change as described in the specified paragraph.
See QW-100.1.
A mill test isn't an essential variable for a WPQ but it is a good document to have if there is ever any question internally or from an audit.
The grove angle, root face (land) and root opening will be specified on the WPS.
When you sign your name at the bottom of form QW-484A or your companies version, you are stating that the document is correct to the best of your knowledge. T
There is a block to sign for the Visual examination of completed weld (who did that?)
Welding supervised by...who did that?
Mechanical test conducted by...who did that?
If the answer is the shop forman/test shop supervisor of your company and the bend test is from a qualified lab and they used the correct dies for the material and THEY sign where applicable, then maybe but from what it sounds like to me. NOOO!
How do you know the welder didn't roll the test, what amps, filler material, fit up, root pass, etc...
Start with a WPS and go from there. It is the recipe for making welds with consistant good results.
"Last one, with your experience, can a CWI qualify a weld test when presented with an already bent specimen provided by the manufacture?"
If you are signing the WPQ and you have to witness the test. I have worked with some companies that have a company rep test the welder then send the plates to a testing company. The testing company will cut and bend the specimens, but will only document the specimens were bent by them and with a accept or reject of the bend. But they do not sign off on the welder qualification.
And DO NOT STAMP THE WPQ's with a CWI stamp. If you do the testing just sign the WPQ's. That is all that is required. Stamping the WPQ does not make the papers any better.
