Qualifying Welders / Welding Operators: "WPS Test plate"?

Date 11-18-2015 14:29

Hey All,

Quick question, I'm trying to certify some new hires on our machines/processes. Before I joined up, new operators were instructed to weld two specific plates together using a documented WPS, (one that has all the supporting PQR data)

However, Figure 4.22 Test Plate for Unlimited Thickness - Welding Operator Qualification shows a much different depiction of what is going on than what has been done. Specifically previous operators were qualified welding two Double V groove plates together in a butt joint configuration. (Extensive testing would follow). However, 4.24.2.1 states, "For other than EGW, ESW, and Plug Welds. The qualification test plate for a welding operator not using EGW or ESW or plug welding shall conform to groove and fillet welding in material of unlimited thickness for the process and position tested."

Does this mean, because our Double V groove is not the same as Figure 4.22, none of the welders in house are qualified?

Thoughts? Thanks!

By welderbrent (*****)

Date 11-19-2015 00:49

No, it doesn't mean that. They are qualified for YOUR operation.

The proper method and procedure would be to qualify them to D1.1 clause 4 Part C first and then do your specific testing if the company really wants that test done to make certain they can perform the specific work at hand. Then it can be truly stated that they are qualified per AWS D1.1 Welder Performance and for specific company procedures.

As of now they are only qualified for your exact procedure and one would need to be careful how they express the welder's qualification to a customer who may ask if your welders are qualified per AWS D1.1 Clause 4. Because they are not.

You can qualify a welder with any test you want, it comes down to what you are trying to express to customers and to be able to prove for welder performance.

He Is In Control, Have a Great Day, Brent

By Bowler_Hat (**)

Date 11-19-2015 12:15

Clarification:

"The proper method and procedure would be to qualify them to D1.1 clause 4 Part C first and then do your specific testing if the company really wants that test done to make certain they can perform the specific work at hand."

So do the test as depicted in Figure 4.22. And covers the operator as a welding operator. Then do the company specific WPS because.....? Just to prove they can?

Vice Versa, if one performs a company specific WPS, and an auditor comes in and asks for a record of q

By Tate48

Date 11-27-2015 07:17

Hello all,

I have a question. So if they tested them to D1.1 clause 4 Part C and they passed they would will the wpqr form. If they then tested them to their own like the double v grove do they make there own form to state they passed the test?

By 803056

Date 11-28-2015 19:01

I like Brent's response.

If the governing code is D1.1, the required tests are specified for the welder, welding operator, and tack welder. Again, the required tests are depicted and they are listed in Part 4 of clause 4. No hidden clauses or foot notes. It is all spelled out for the reader.

If the contractor wants to administer additional tests, it is their prerogative to do so. The welder can be required to hang by one leg while welding upside down just to demonstrate the ability to perform welds that will be encountered in production. Want the welder to weld with one eye? Duct tape the one eye you don't want the welder to use. Want the welder to demonstrate the ability to use a grinder, carbon arc gouge, use an ice pick to perform interpass cleaning? You free to do so after the required tests have been taken and passed.

Best regards - Al