Welding Certification with TEC Eurolab
The advantage of having qualified personnel and welding process
Our Certification Body deals with technical expertise and professionalism in certifying welding personnel and processes. We interviewed Daniela Lucà – Certification Body Manager – and Christian Cappellieri – Welding Scheme Manager – to find out how this type of certification works and what benefits it brings to companies that require it.
What types of companies are targeted by this type of service? Is it requested by companies in specific sectors or does it find interest in various industries?
Personnel and welding process certification services are crucial for different types of companies, especially those involved in industries where the quality and integrity of welds are critical; any industry that requires the use of welds for the production of products or the construction of structures can benefit from personnel and welding process certification services to ensure the quality and safety of the work performed.
What figures within companies do you most dialogue with regarding welding?
As a Certification Body, with responsibilities on both the technical and economic sides, we dialogue with key figures in client companies, which may include:
- Quality managers: these people ensure that products meet the required quality standards.
- Process or design engineers: figures responsible for designing and optimizing welding processes.
- Production managers or department managers: figures responsible for the efficiency and management of production operations.
- Project managers or project coordinators: figures in charge of managing and coordinating the entire project.
- Purchasing or procurement managers: figures responsible for managing supplies and purchases within the company.
- Financial managers or controllers: figures involved in managing the company’s budgets and finances.
How is the request typically formulated in welding? Does the customer come in with clear ideas about what he or she needs to do? Does he tend to rely on a proposal or does he come with a detailed plan?
The formulation of the request in welding can vary greatly depending on the customer and specific circumstances.
Some clients may come with clear and detailed ideas about the required welding process, while others may be more open to suggestions and advice from an expert in the field of welding.
The client who has clear ideas has generally already drawn up a detailed plan or welding technique specification and requests the certifying body to perform the work following these directions.
Often, it has already identified the type of material to be welded, the welding technology to be used, and other relevant technical specifications.
On the other hand, a client with a project to implement may have a general idea but may not have a detailed understanding of the welding process. In this situation, the certification body can work with the client to develop a solution that meets the specific needs of the project.
A customer who is open to proposals may not have detailed knowledge of welding procedures and may be willing to accept suggestions from an experienced professional. Finally, there are situations in which customers require technical assistance from subject matter experts to assess the feasibility of a project or to determine the best approach to welding based on application specifications.
In any case, effective communication between the Certification Body and the client is of paramount importance in order to understand their needs and expectations.
For various case scenarios, our team of inspectors is available and able to provide guidance and advice based on their experience and expertise to ensure the success of the welding project.
Why is it important to have certified staff? From the customer’s perspective, what are the short- and long-term benefits of having certified staff and process?
It is of primary importance to have certified personnel for a number of important reasons. From the customer’s perspective, there are tangible benefits in both the short and long term to employing certified personnel and welding processes.
First,scrupulous adherence to relevant standards and regulations results in a significant reduction in the risk of defects or anomalies, which could cause additional burdens and delays in production. Expertly conducted welding processes are known to require less time for verification and correction, contributing to a reduction in overall production time.
Products subjected to accurate welding processing tend to exhibit a longer and more reliable operating life, thus decreasing the need for corrective work or replacement.
Possessing a strong manufacturing track record, characterized by the quality conferred by certified welding personnel and processes, can enhance the supplier’s reputation, engendering customer loyalty and attraction for new partnerships. Having a team of qualified, highly trained and empowered welders will be more likely to identify and implement technological and technical innovations, likely to further improve the quality and efficiency of the production process.
Despite a larger initial investment in skilled welding personnel and processes, there is a tangible reduction in costs associated with defects, delays, and maintenance operations in the long run.
Consequently, deciding to invest in certified personnel and welding processes confers tangible benefits in both the short and long term, establishing a solid foundation for high-level production and a mutually trusting relationship with customers.
What are the steps in the qualification of the welding process?
The process for obtaining welding process certification involves 3 steps.
- Preliminary phase “customer contact“
In this initial phase, contact is established with the customer to understand the specific requirements. Technical drawings related to the component in question or, more generally, to in-house production are reviewed. The goal is to provide accurate technical details. Next, a dedicated economic quotation is drafted. Once the order has been received, an inspector is designated to agree with the customer on dates for execution of the task, as well as the materials and certificates required for implementation. - “Activity execution and documentation” phase
In this phase, scheduled according to agreed dates, the designated inspector comes to the customer’s site to supervise the sample welding process. During this phase, documentation is compiled that provides a detailed account of the activity performed. This documentation is essential to enable those who were not present to acquire all relevant information about the activity performed and to facilitate the certification process by the appropriate body. - “Sample Analysis and Welding Procedure Drafting (WPQR)” stage
In the next stage, weld samples are subjected to a series of tests, initially nondestructive and later destructive, depending on the type of joint, welding technology and materials involved. Passing these tests is a key step. Following successful verification, the welding procedure (known as WPQR) is drafted and transmitted to the customer. The welding process qualification procedure is a crucial step in ensuring compliance and safety in welding operations, and requires rigorous attention to detail and in-depth technical expertise.