Weld Mapping Services

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Weld mapping is assessing a welded component to identify all welds and determine how you are going to weld them.

This data is then transferred to a weld correlation sheet which is completed as the work progresses through the workshop.

Weld mapping gives confidence that the welding process is controlled and the resulting welds conform to the relevant standards. The weld correlation list also acts as a quality record which provides traceability for each joint.

A flow chart of the weld mapping process is available for download HERE along with various other weld mapping resources but the basic ethos goes something like this:

To begin we assign each weld a number or identifier (W1, W2 etc) and then determine the key characteristics (Essential, Non Essential) of that weld:

Parent Material: What material are you welding? Bear in mind that this can be similar or dissimilar.

Parent Material Form: Plate, Pipe, Bar etc

Joint Type: Butt (Groove), Fillet etc

Parent thickness: The thicknesses of the materials being welded together.

Welding process: TIG, MMA, MIG, MAG etc.

WPS: The weld Procedure used to weld the joint (more on this later)

At GC Logicals we use this handy Weld Log Sheet to capture this data, the weld log sheet is critical for identifying key weld characteristics to allow you to select the correct WPS.

Once the Weld Log Sheet is completed and all welds are identified we can start to populate a Weld Correlation List which includes details relevant to actual manufacture such as Weld No, WPS, Welder ID, NDT requirements etc.

Of course there are other considerations when mapping the welds on a project and generating Weld Documentation:

Welding standard- ASME IX or BS EN ISO 15614?

Modify existing WPS or generate new?

The Weld Map Flowchart has more detail on this and is a free download.

As with all aspects of Quality Management weld mapping should be carried out at the start of each project to ensure the best possible outcome. Weld Mapping is in effect a Quality Plan for the welding process on a particular project- this might not be necessary if you are welding gates for your back yard but it will almost certainly be necessary if you working in difficult sectors such as Oil & Gas, Defense or Nuclear.

As well as the handy Downloads in the Download Section of this website we also provide training and education services to help clients improve the skills and knowledge of their engineering staff. Our training programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client and cover a wide range of topics.