• Professionals and students interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the economic aspects of welding processes, materials, and equipment. 
• Anyone who wants to improve their knowledge of welding economics and learn how to reduce costs, optimize resources, and increase efficiency in welding operations. Anyone seeking to prepare for the AWS Certified Welding Inspector exam 
  • This student body may encompass many positions, including: 
    • Welders 
    • Welding engineers 
    • Welding inspectors 
    • Welding supervisors  

No previous knowledge is required. This course presents NDT concepts in clear, easy-to-understand language and easily digestible chunks of information. We will start at the beginning, explain every term and topic, and provide practice questions to ensure learners understand the material. However, students with no welding background whatsoever may benefit from gaining a general understanding of basic welding processes and welding terminology. This prerequisite knowledge can be obtained by:  

• Taking the AWS Welding Fundamentals I online course  
• Obtaining and reading a copy of AWS A3.0 Standard Terms and Definitions  

This course teaches students how to:

• Understand the economic factors that affect welding processes and operations
• Evaluate different welding methods and materials based on their economic impact
• Use cost-benefit analysis to make informed decisions about welding projects
• Implement quality control measures to improve productivity and reduce costs

Upon completion of Economics of Welding, students will be able to:

• Understand the principles of welding economics, including the cost of materials, labor, and equipment, as well as overhead costs
• Analyze welding project costs and profitability, including the impact of variables such as welding process, equipment, and consumables
• Develop skills in estimating welding projects, including creating detailed cost estimates and understanding the impact of different variables on project cost and profitability
• Understand the importance of cost control and profitability in welding projects, including strategies for reducing costs and increasing profitability

• MODULE 1 – Process Variables: Current, Amperage, Voltage
• MODULE 2 – Process Variables: Polarity, Inductance, Arc Length, CTTWD, Shielding Gas
• MODULE 3 – Process Variables: Travel Angle, Transverse Angle, Travel Speed, Electrode Position, Wire Feed Speed
• MODULE 4 – SMAW: Process Variables
• MODULE 5 – GTAW: Process Variables
• MODULE 6 – GMAW: Process Variables
• MODULE 7 – FCAW: Process Variables
• MODULE 8 – SAW: Process Variables
• MODULE 9 – Weld Process Comparison: Advantages and Disadvantages I
• MODULE 10 – Weld Process Comparison: Advantages and Disadvantages II
• MODULE 11 – Manufacturing Costs: Materials, Labor, Equipment, Overhead
• MODULE 12 – Welding Procedure Specification
• MODULE 13 – Determining the Cost of Weld: Calculating Area
• MODULE 14 – Determining the Cost of Weld: Calculating Volume
• MODULE 15 – Determining the Cost of Weld: Calculating Deposited Weight
• MODULE 16 – Determining the Cost of Weld: Calculating Deposition Efficiency
• MODULE 17 – Determining the Cost of Weld: Calculating Deposition Rate
• MODULE 18 – Calculating Labor Costs: Arc Time, Non-Arc Time, Total Labor Time
• MODULE 19 – Calculating Labor Costs: Operator Factor
• MODULE 20 – Calculating Labor Costs: Problem Solving
• MODULE 21 – Calculating Filler Metal and Labor Costs: Problem Solving
• MODULE 22 – Calculating Weld Job Costs: Problem Solving
• MODULE 23 – Managing Costs: Joint Design, Weld Design, WPS, Mistake Proofing, Production Planning
• MODULE 24 – Managing Costs: Eliminating Operations, Supporting Activities, Field Welding, process Selection
• MODULE 25 – Managing Costs: Unforeseen Costs, Quality Issues, Overwelding
• MODULE 26 – Practice Problems: 15 Problems
• MODULE 27 – Practice Quiz 1: 5 Problems
• MODULE 28 – Practice Quiz 2: 5 Problems
• MODULE 29 – Practice Quiz 3: 5 Problems
• MODULE 30 – Practice Quiz 4: 5 Problems