A Comprehensive Welder Training and Certificate Program

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THE KEY TO BASIC WELDING
Second only to safety, quality is the most important endeavor in any welding operation. In order to produce quality welds you must prevent or eliminate weld defects; to accomplished this you must control the process variables.WELDING PROCESS VARIABLES: "things (parameters) that you set, select, adjust, balance, change, manipulate, tweeque or otherwise have control over to affect or influence the outcome or results of the welding operation." PROCESS VARIABLES may be classified as Fixed and / or Manipulated. Fixed variables are set prior to the start of the welding operation. Manipulated variables may change or be constrained during the welding operation.Each welding process has its own set of variables that must be identified, controlled and mastered. When you master the process variables, you will indeed produce outcomes that are: advantageous, predictable, favorable, repetitive, reliable and profitable.
CRITICAL TASK LIST
-WELDING PROCESS VARIABLES
SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING *** [ SMAW ] ***
1.
Amperage
2.
Polarity
3.
Electrode type
4.
Electrode size ( diameter )
5.
Arc length
6.
Electrode angle
7.
Travel Speed
8.
Technique ( Whip, oscillate, drag )
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OXYACETYLENE WELDING *** [ OAW ] ***
1.
Tip size
2.
Acetylene pressure
3.
Oxygen pressure
4.
Flame balance
5.
Flame distance to work
6.
Flame angle
7.
Travel speed
8.
Rod diameter
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GAS METAL ARC WELDING *** [ GMAW ] ***
1.
Amperage
2.
Voltage
3.
Wire type
4.
Wire size
5.
Wire speed
6.
Gas type
7.
Flow rate
8.
Metal transfer
9.
Travel speed
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GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING *** [ GTAW ] ***
x
1.
Amperage
2.
Polarity
3.
High-frequency
4.
Tungsten type
5.
Tungsten diameter
6.
Gas type
7.
Flow rate
8.
Cup size
9.
Rod type
10.
Rod diameter
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THE WELD
---
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The weld can be diagramed into five parts; this is useful in examining the weld for defects.
The
Face
----
(
Porosity, Cracks ) The Toe
-----
(
Undercut, Overlap ) The Leg
----
( Size ) The
Root
--
(
Penetration, Fusion ) The Throat
--(
Contour, Depth )


When any two objects are fitted together for welding they form one of five possible joints

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Whenever possible it is practical to perform all welding operations in the flat position.
If the weldment is not performed flat, then it may be referred to as "out of position."
There are four possible weld positions.

The position is determined by the inclination of the weld axis and the rotation of the weld face.