Hello Tom;

ASME and NAVSEA TP248 have a number of essential variables (or elements) that are the same and a few that are different. TP248 has a few more essential variables that have to be recorded than Section VIII.

You have to record the "actual values" of all essential variables on your PQR. You can, at your pleasure, record any additional information or data you feel is useful.

As for the question of what to record when doing weave beads, I always record the voltage, amperage, wire feed speed (if applicable), travel speed, thickness of layers, and width of individual weld beads. Per ASME Section IX, unless you are required to perform Charpy Impact testing, most of that data is not required, but I find it useful when it is time to write the WPS.

There are other things that I record to meet TP248 requirements and for my benefit. Things like the welding machine manufacturer, model number, serial number, if pulsing is used and it is a "canned program, I record it as well. Likewise, I typically record heat or lot numbers for the base metal and filler metal.

My field notes are recorded in an Excell spread sheet so that as I record the V, A, TS, etc (for each weld pass) the heat input is automatically recorded. Again, not because it is always required by the welding standard, but because I find it useful.  

Best regards - Al

Tom,

I have recorded parameters for many procedures and how you described calculating your travel speed for a weave is exactly how I do it. Say for instance that your weld was 12 in long and the arc time was 1 min 45 sec the basic equation I use is 45sec/60sec=75   therefore 12in/1.75min = 6.9 inches per min, hope this helps

Charles

Tom,
Unless other variables change (essential or supplementary essential) a WPS does not have to be requalified to go from stringer to weave, or vice versa.  It is a non-essentail variable.  All you have to do is revise the WPS.  I would always recommend limiting weave width in your WPS, e.g., 2x electrode diameter for SMAW or 3/16" for GTAW, for example.  Travel speed should be recorded, as determined by calculation from distance along the pipe versus time to travel that distance, just as you noted above.

Al has addressed your other questions but in general you can include any and all items that help the welder make a quality weld, using your WPS.  Arc force is useful for SMAW in starting the weld.  A brief period of higher amperage at initial touching of the electrode to the workpiece aids in a smooth start of the welding arc.  This can be addressed on the WPS, and probably should be, but is not a variable that has to be documented.