By 803056
Date 03-04-2008 03:18
Edited 03-04-2008 04:03
I do believe you are starting to understand the intent of my comments.
If your company doesn't have a qualified WPS, you don't now and never have had properly qualified welders. Your company can not use someone else's WPS or an unqualified WPS to qualify your welders if you are working in strict accordance with ASME.
The essential variable of the WPS such as process, base metal (with some exceptions), filler metal F and A number, etc. must be the same as those used when the procedure was qualified. So, a change from one shielding gas to another would be looked upon as an essential variable for the WPS, as such a change from argon to helium or a helium mix would require the WPS to be requalified.
However, a welder is qualified to different essential variables than the WPS. For instance, whereas a change from one P number to another is an essential change to the WPS, it is not necessarily an essential variable for the welder qualification. However, even if the welder is qualified for a range of variables by virtue of passing a welder's test following the variables listed in a qualified WPS he still has to weld in accordance with a qualified WPS. Example: A welder follows a qualified WPS and tests on stainless steel using the GTAW process. He is qualified to weld carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel, and nickel alloys by virtue of passing the test using stainless steel. However to do so, the employer needs qualified WPSs for all the base metals or the welder is limited to the (few) WPS(s) the employer does have. Just because the welder is qualified to weld all the different base metals doesn't mean that he can without the necessary WPSs.
The letters ASME stand for "Always, Sometimes, Maybe, or Except", and unless you know the rules of the game, you can get yourself into a real hornets nest of trouble.
The bottom line is that your consultant should be able to explain what he is doing and how he is doing it. Section IX is complex if you don't have a working knowledge of how to use it, but that is why you hire a consultant, to help you over the rough spots. He should be able to show you the paragraph in Section IX that allows him to do what he is doing. If he can't, there's a problem.
We, here in the forum, can only speak in general terms unless we know all the details of your situation.
Good luck and best regards - Al