SMAW<\/a>, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW. Currently, a Manufacturer states, “All groove designs” under joint design in the WPS. Is this practice acceptable, or is it required to either include these in the WPS or reference another document that illustrates all possible joint configurations?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe reply given by the Committee goes like this: \u201cThe practice of stating “all groove designs” on the WPS to satisfy QW-402.1 is not acceptable. Because the WPS is for the guidance of the welder or welding operator, a Manufacturer must state on the WPS the types of joints permitted in production. Alternatively, a reference to a drawing or other document that describes the allowable production joints is permitted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This answers the questions that I asked above. So now that we know that \u2018all\u2019 or \u2018any\u2019 is not an appropriate answer, what is the right<\/em> way to address this variable on the WPS?<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Rightly Address Groove Design on a WPS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt is a good practice to specify the particular type of groove that the welder is going to encounter on the job. More than one type of groove designs (such as V-groove, U-groove, J-groove, etc.) can be specified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the same WPS is going to be used for welding same kind of joints again and again, it is good to specify other details such as included angle of the groove, root face (or land), part description, etc. as well. All these details can be illustrated through a sketch. The sketch can be drawn in the space provided for it in the format (QW-482) or by attaching a separate sheet containing the diagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another way that is equally acceptable is by referring to a manufacturing drawing<\/em>. This in fact is a better way of addressing this variable. The sketch made on the WPS format can only convey that much details. The manufacturing drawing on the other hand, can convey far greater number of helpful details. This gives the welder a more complete picture about the weld joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHowever, the welding engineer must keep in mind that the manufacturing drawing must have shown some kind of groove. Only then the variable would be considered addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another thing that the engineer should make sure is that the welder should have access to the drawing referred in his WPS. Otherwise there is no point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n