WELDING COURSE OVERVIEW

Introduction to Welding, Safety and Careers

This class is designed to provide a foundation for students to build upon in future courses of the welding program. Students will be introduced to various types of welding methods and the equipment used to perform them. Students will also get a lesson about personal protection and safety while operating welding equipment.

Also covered will be an introduction to two different types of thermal cutting using both plasma and oxy/fuel equipment. Students can also learn about the many careers and positions that a successful welder may pursue and how to obtain a weld certification in the industry.

Principles of Welding

Students will be introduced to the different types of joints, positions and symbols used throughout welding technology. Students can learn about the properties of metal, their classification and how to prepare tools for welding. Also covered will be welding inspection and weld defect testing.

Gas Metal Arc Welding I (GMAW)

In gas metal arc welding (GMAW), also known as “MIG welding,” students are taught how to set up and use GMAW equipment and the accessories required to perform this welding technique. Also covered will be the modes of metal transfer and the different gases available to shield a weld.

Then, students can use a MIG welder to perform the basic positions of a lap, tee, butt, and butt with backing weld to produce steel fillet and groove-style joints in the flat and horizontal planes. They will also get a chance to learn basic GMAW maintenance methods, including gas hook-up and wire spool replacement.

Shielded Metal Arc Welding I (SMAW)

Students are introduced to shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), also known as “stick welding.” Also covered are the setup and use of SMAW equipment and the accessories required for SMAW welding.

Students can also learn the modes of metal transfer and the different electrodes/rods available to carry out specific types of welds. Then, students will have the opportunity to use a SMAW welding machine to perform the basic positions of a lap, tee, and butt with backing weld to produce steel fillet and groove-style joints in the flat and horizontal planes.

Engineering and Fabrication

Within this course, students will get a lesson on how to read blueprints and interpret the codes, standards, terms and definitions used in welding documentation. Also covered will be the applied math, measurement and geometry skills needed for the planning, preparation and fabrication of projects. Students will also be introduced to project planning and quality control.

Gas Metal Arc Welding II (GMAW)

The GMAW-2 course builds upon the knowledge and skills taught in the introductory GMAW course. In addition to the flat and horizontal planes, students will perform vertical and overhead welds to produce lap, tee, and butt with backing joints on both steel and aluminum. Additionally, students can learn how to correctly maintain a GMAW welder, change out whips/guns, set up different shielding gases and replace the rollers.

Shielded Metal Arc Welding II (SMAW)

Students can bring the skills they have learned from stick welding in previous courses to perform horizontal, vertical and overhead welding operations on flat steel plate using fillet and groove-style joints. Additionally, students can learn how to correctly maintain and service a SMAW welder, replace the electrode/stick holder and perform carbon arc gouging on steel plate.

Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

During this course, students can discover the benefits of both gas and gasless flux-cored welding and where they are used. Also covered is how to set up, service and operate flux-cored welding equipment. Students can also perform all joint types and carry out welds in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead planes.

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

Students will be introduced to gas tungsten arc welding, its characteristics and safety. Using the information they have learned in previous courses, students are taught the skills necessary to make gas tungsten arc welds on different metals, using both direct and alternating current methods.

Pipe Welding

This course will introduce students to the different methods of welding pipe and tube using multiple types of metal transfer. Students can learn the welding positions used, from horizontal rolling to stationary or vertical, along with how to use the correct tools and equipment for the cutting and beveling of joints during assembly.

Welding Applications I (GMAW & FCAW)

As one of the final courses in welding, Welding Applications I is designed to allow students to build specific projects using the skills they have learned from previous welding courses. Students can fabricate specific projects using their previously learned blueprinting and project planning skills, along with both GMAW and FCAW metal transfer equipment. During this course, students can demonstrate their ability to perform multiple weld types in all positions.

Welding Applications II (SMAW & GTAW)

One of the final courses in welding, Welding Applications II is designed to allow a student to build specific projects using the skills they have learned from previous welding courses. Students can fabricate specific projects using their previously learned blueprinting and project planning skills, along with both SMAW and GTAW metal transfer equipment. During this course, students can demonstrate their ability to perform multiple weld types in all positions.