Create a code compliant welder qualification to AWS D1.1 in WeldTrace

AWS D Series Standards Welder Qualifications

Here's a step by step guide to creating a code compliant welder qualification certificate (WPQ/WQTR) to the AWS D series standards. The screenshots are for AWS D1.1, but the process is similar in WeldTrace for the other supported standards such as AWS D1.2 Aluminum, AWS D1.5 Bridge and AWS D1.6 Stainless Steels:

Step 1 - Select the standard & unit

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - step 1
  1. Go to the "Welder Quals" menu under "Personnel";
  2. Select the standard;
  3. Select the unit (metric/US customary);
  4. Click here to continue;

Step 2 - Pick a welder and enter the qualification details

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - step 2
  1. Select a welder ID. The name, email, company and photograph will be displayed for the selected welder;
  2. Pick the WPS. Only the WPS that are in the WPS (all) menu (BYO WPS and WPS created in WeldTrace and approved) will be listed here;
  3. Enter a number for the WPQ/WQTR, pick a revision and the date;
  4. Select the customer (only the customers who are already entered in the Organization -> Customers section will be displayed. You may also create a customer through the "+" button shown next to the drop down field;
  5. Pick the qualification type and enter the other details;
NOTES:
  1. If the welder is previously qualified to the standard/unit combination selected in step 1, you will see a "Clone" button above the "Qualification Details" section. You can pick any of the previous WPQs (the dropdown box will list the designations of the WPQs) and press the clone button to copy all the data from the other qualification, which you may then edit;
  2. If there are other WPQs for the standard/unit combination selected in steps 1 & 2, you will see a "Replicate" button below the "Qualification Details" section.  You can pick any of the previous WPQs (the dropdown box will list the designations of the WPQs) and press the replicate button to copy the data from the other qualification (from this point down i.e. starting from the joint details), which you may then edit;
  3. The “Clone” and “Replicate” functions will only transfer the data from WPQs that are in “Awarded” state. Any of the “Failed” or “In progress” WPQ designations will not be shown for selection;

Step 3 - Select the joint details and base metal

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - step 3
Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - view diagrams
  1. Select the joint type;
  2. Select the product form;
  3. Select the figure reference in the standard;
  4. Click to view the figures in a pop up window (see point 7);
  5. Click to pick a base metal (see the next section);
  6. Enter the thickness or size (for pipe and box tube);
  7. AWS D1.1 figures in a pop up window;

Base Metals Selection

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - select base metal
  1. When the "Rules check" slider button is on, you will see only the AWS D1.1 compliant base metals in this table;
  2. You may use the sort and filter features in the column heading (like Excel) to find the base metal;
  3. Click on any cell in the row to pick a base metal;
  4. The details of the selected base metal will be displayed here;
  5. Click on save to select the base metal and close this window;

Step 4 - Enter the Process Variables

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - step 4
  1. The tab to enter the variables for process 1. The current tab will be highlighted;
  2. You may click on the "+" button and add another process (maximum 3 processes per WPQ); 
  3. Pick a filler metal (read the next step);
  4. Pick the welding process and type and other variables;

Step 5 - Pick a Filler Metal

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - select filler metal
  1. The rules check button will be enabled as default and the filler metals that are compatible for the welding process and alloy will be listed in this table. If you change the rules check to no, all the filler metals for steel will be shown;
  2. Click on any cell in the row to pick a filler metal. You may use the sort and filter features in the column heading (like Excel) to find the filler metal;
  3. The details of the selected filler metal will be displayed here;
  4. Click save to return to the WPQ template;

Step 6 - Test Results

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - step 5
  1. Enter the test results in this section. The test methods displayed here will be as per the code;
  2. Select “Performed and Acceptable” if the test result is acceptable. If “Not Acceptable” is selected for the required tests, the WPQ status will default to “Not Approved”;
  3. You may upload the test report (must be a PDF file);
  4. Select the outcome of the welder qualification test. If “Not approved” is selected, the outcome of the process will be a failed WPQ (this can be changed in the approval process - the next step in the workflow);
  5. You may leave some notes for the person who will approve the welder qualification;
  6. You can click on this button to slide out the range qualified values table at any time (see next step);
  7. Preview will generate the WPQ (this button will be enabled after you save the WPQ);
  8. Click on the Submit button to save and push the WPQ to the next stage of the workflow;
NOTE: The test methods listed will include both required and optional tests. For example, in the screenshot shown above, the radiographic tests may be substituted for side bend tests and you may select “Not Tested” for either the side bend tests or the radiographic tests and this will not result in the WPQ being failed;

Range Qualified Values

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - range qualified values
  1. The range qualified values will be displayed in this table;
  2. You may see the values listed by product form;
  3. The values shown in the columns will be for the processes displayed here. If you click on the "i" info icon, you will be shown more information;

Status of the Welder Qualification

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - list and status
  1. The WPQ will be listed in the Welder Qualifications list. You may click on the WPQ number to view and edit the data;
  2. "Awaiting approval" will be displayed in the status column;
  3. If you click on the accordion button (>), you will see the designation and other details;

Step 7 - Approve the Welder Qualification

Create AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification - approval
The welder qualification workflow is in two stages. Someone who has the privilege to access the menu can create a WPQ and submit it for approval. The same user or another user can approve and grant the qualification. Both these users' stamps and signatures will appear in the WPQ certificate.

The screenshot above is for viewing the welder qualification form that is showing the status "Awaiting Approval."
  1. You may edit the WPQ by clicking on this button, which will launch the WPQ edit process and all the fields will become editable. Please note that if the WPQ is edited it needs to be submitted and then approved. The WPQ certificate will then bear the stamp and signature of the user who edits the WPQ and not the user who first created the WPQ;
  2. Select “Yes” to grant the welder qualification. If the welder has failed any of the required tests, this will be set to “No”. You may leave some approval comments;
  3. Click on “Submit” button to complete the process and generate the WPQ;
Read the next article: API 1104 Welder Qualifications