AWS (American Welding Society) D17.1 & D17.2 Welding - Looking for help

[AshleyE]

Hello All,

We're working with a customer who specifies their fusion and resistance welding is to AWS D17.1 & D17.2 class C (respectively) - the parts we are welding are non-structural and non-critical. Currently, we are subcontracting this work with the goal to bring it in house and we are working with a consultant, which is going less than stellar.

I'm way over my head technically and need a second voice for guidance.
Can any of you point me to resources that may help me understand the requirements of these standards? Internet searches and forum searches have yet to reveal a D17.1 & D17.2 for dummies.

Thank you in advance

 

[Cari Spears]

Hi, Ashley -

Is your consultant a CWI? Are your in-house weld personnel certified to weld to the appropriate specs?

 

[AshleyE]

Hi Cari -

Our Consultant is a CWI (and likely has more qualifications and endorsements) and we are working with them to get our equipment and personnel qualified to perform the work.

Without going into details - I've been tasked to find a second opinion of what the requirements are and how to apply them appropriately. Problem is, I'm having a very hard time finding resources on this topic so I can learn enough to ask the right questions. Hoping one of you all can guide me in the right direction.

 

[Cari Spears]

I've been very fortunate to work at companies that have their own CWI on staff. If reading D17.1 itself isn't helpful, I guess I would get a second CWI's opinion on what you've implemented. If we were neighbors, I could send you a few guys' names.

If you have any specific questions that you can't air in the open forums, please feel free to pm me. If I don't know the answer, we have a CWI on staff that I can ask.

 

[AshleyE]

Cari - you have made my morning!

To Start, the goal is to have both Spotwelding and Resistant welding to class C. Is it a conflict for a qualified welder doing the work, to also be a CWI who will sign off on their own work?

Our welder is already qualified for 6 processes, which he is using on non-aerospace work and signing off their log to keep current.

The initial thought, based on the education and experience requirements for a qualified weld inspector would be to send our welder to CWI training. Based from what I understand of D17.1 - the inspector must be qualified in accordance with AWS QC 1. Also based on what I understand of D17.2 the requirements for an inspector are not explicitly stated and industry practice is to refer to the related standard D17.1. Is this correct?

 

[AshleyE]

Jumping in on another ask from the group -

Does anyone know where to start looking for consultants that can advise on getting our Resistance and Fusion welding to the requirements of D17.1 & D17.2 Class C?

I've had zero luck finding resources in the CT/New England area.

 

[tonefordays]

Hello,

Here are a few thoughts/opinions.

When working to any welding code, there are many variables to consider.
First and foremost, knowing what welding code you're working with (in this case AWS D17.1) will send you on the right trail. It's important that you have copies of these codes for reference as they can get quite in depth.

Once that has been established, you need to know what type(s) of material you're working with, ie; steel , stainless steel, alum, etc....

Once that has been determined, you need to know the thickness of the material(s). This is significant, as it also determines what welding code would apply per D17.1 table 9.1

When you say spot welding, are you using Resistance Spot Welding (RSW) exclusively for your process? Spot welds can be made using other processes. In either case, D17.1 (2010) gives you a few options for welder qualification. Since you say you're working with non critical flight hardware (Class C), D17.1 clause 9 gives you a list of suggested options you may use depending on the material and thickness you're using. If for some reason you find that the suggested AWS welding codes listed in Table 9.1 don't suit your needs, you may qualify your welders to AWS B2.1

Each code will detail what requirements are needed for welder and procedure qualification as well as any visual and NDE inspection criteria.

You mentioned that you have a welder(s) that are qualified to 6 processes, you'll need to review the welding procedures (WPS) that have been established for those 6 processes, and compare the essential variables noted on the welding procedures to the applicable welding code, and to your current needs. The WPS will have the applicable code listed on it, if it doesn't, then the WPS is pretty much useless. If you can tie in a WPS with you're current requirement, you may not need to qualify another procedure.

As welding inspectors go, it is not mandatory (unless stipulated in the your contract) that a CWI inspect your welds. The welding code gives you options that your inspector may also be qualified by experience, training or testing, however if this is the case, you will need approval from the engineering authority, and the inspector may need to prove his ability.


Hope this helps some.