In our last article, we explained the relevance of welding data documentation.
It is at the level of editing the WPS (Welding Procedure Specification) that Weldreport, a software developed by AXXAIR, comes into play. This reporting software allows direct editing of the information of the welding program. It takes all the information of the ticket printed via the power supply into account. The layout is A4 format, so the document can be submitted directly to an approved inspection body.
How to obtain a PQR?
Several steps are necessary to obtain a PQR (Procedure Qualification Record), a document issued by an approved inspection body.
- The test phase: the welding operator tries to get as close as possible to what is required by a set of specifications. These specifications consider all standards and quality controls applicable to the site concerned as well as the customer's specific requirements. When everything is in conformity with the specifications and is validated internally by the welding engineer and/or the welding manager, the inspector of an approved organization collects the weld samples.
- The welding operator then carries out a test piece once the weld is obtained and prints a ticket directly through the AXXAIR power supply. The test piece and the ticket are then evaluated by the company's Quality Manager in order to verify the conformity of the weld with the standards and specific requests of the customers (customer SPEC). It is also possible to present the weld to the customer for confirmation.
- Then, if the weld is in conformity, a WPS is edited with all the welding parameters of the program used and the welding energy (in Joules per mm: J/mm). It is the same information as the one edited when the ticket is issued through the power supply but in A4 format. This is made easier by the SAXX power supply because the programs are displayed in the form of a WPS/PQR. The created programs are presented in an automatic layout in A4 format and can be saved as PDF and viewed on a computer.
- At this stage, either the welding operator takes his welding equipment to an approved organization, or an inspector from this organization visits the company. The operator then carries out several test specimens in the presence of the inspector. The number of test specimens depends on the tests to be carried out; however their size is standard: two 150 mm pieces are butt-welded together (BW). The inspector checks the preparation and welding of the parts and then takes them along with him. This is followed by a phase of non-destructive, semi-destructive and/or destructive tests performed on the test specimens by the approved body. Forms of non-destructive tests are for example visual examinations, dye penetrant testing, ultrasound tests and X-ray tests. A semi-destructive test can be drilling the welded joint to examine the walls. Destructive tests include tensile and bending tests on the tube or impact bending.
- If the specimens pass the tests, an inspector from an approved organization then issues a Welding Procedure Qualification Report (PQR) in which the tests carried out are described. Attached to the PQR is the WPS for the test pieces. This PQR qualifies the program used during the manufacturing of the test pieces. If the welds also meet the customers specifications and requests, the production can begin.
Optimum transfer of information
from the user to the end customer
Weldreport offers considerable time savings through the recording of parameters and data that are entered beforehand. Its installation is straightforward, and all the information is listed in the same place, allowing optimal transfer of information from one user to the next. All its functionalities offer day-to-day comfort to the user and also play a significant supporting role for all parties involved in the qualification of welds (welding engineers, welding coordinators, welding managers, inspectors, quality managers, etc.) and finally, in a broader sense, for the end customer.
