Weekly Welding Roundup–Welding News

A dozen Boy Scouts attended a welding introduction course at the Wallace Community College’s mobile welding unit in order to learn about the possibilities of a career in welding. One welding instructor noted that young people need early exposure to their career options so that they can make better informed choices.

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The mobile welding unit contained both simulators and live welding stations, allowing the scouts to practice striking an arc, keeping a proper angle, and maintaining the correct speed. The event was provided by the Wallace’s Center for Economic and Workforce Development.

Here’s a roundup of the latest welding industry news:

 

Welding Industry

Robot Welding Increases Production

“A leading supplier of rotor debarking machinery, Valon Kone has a long experience in robotized welding. In recent years, however, it became increasingly clear for the company that its production machinery was in need of an upgrade. ‘During the past few years, we have had some challenges owing to the long service life of our existing robotized welding station,’ Valon Kone Production Manager Jukka Jurvanen points out.”

Laser Welding Targets Automotive Industry

“Emag hosted an open house along with the launch of its new Laser Welding Laboratory June 8 at its U.S. headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan… The centerpiece of the new lab is the ELC 250 Duo compact laser welding system for machining gear components. This twin-spindle, two-station machine allows for loading and unloading the spindles during the cycle. Primarily targeting the automotive industry, the lab will provide services including weld-seam-design consultation, pre-turning and weld-prototype support, among others.”

Laser Welding for Medical Devices Offers Innovative Solutions

“A new laser welding system reportedly offers manufacturers, particularly of medical devices, the capability to achieve a clean, clear-on-clear, particulate-free, hermetically sealed weld. The new 3G Laser Welding System from Branson Ultrasonics, Danbury, Conn., is the result of a collaborative development effort with Sono-Tek, Milton, N.Y., a leader in ultrasonic spray systems for applying precise thin film coatings.”

Welding Jobs

Welding Job Demand Could Be Filled by Women

“While the overall number of students taking welding is minimal, the number of girls who complete the program is even less. Cearns said he averages one female student a year, and the average high school welding program enrolls between 5 and 10 percent of females annually. This leads to low numbers in the professional field as well, he said, with an estimated 5 percent of women in the welding industry.

With such high demand for skilled welders coming out of high school, instructors like Cearns, workforce development officials like Arthur and business owners are trying to pull more girls into welding programs.”

Farmers Open Welding Shop in Ontario

“A new metal fabrication and welding shop has opened in Nyssa by two long-time welders to serve the needs of local agriculture producers, providing needed implements and spare parts. Owyhee Metal Works is located at 325 S. First St., where First Street meets King Avenue. Wyatt Wood and Mike Garrett have been operating their business for about a week.”

Welding Education

Welding School Receives Large Donation

“Students in a vocational welding program have something to look forward to when they go back to school this fall. Two natural gas companies gave the school in Columbia County a big donation which directly helps the welding program. The materials are normally something you'd see on the way to a natural gas company. Instead, it was all delivered to the Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School near Bloomsburg.”

Welding Events

3rd Welding Education, Skills & Certification Conference
Aug 10 – 12, 2016, Houston, TX

The impending skills gap in manufacturing continues to be a hot-button topic. In it’s third year, the Welding Education, Skills & Certification Conference aims to address the welding industry piece of the puzzle. How do we ensure we’re doing our part to deliver new, skilled professionals into this booming sector? Attend this conference to gain new insights, share best practices, exchange ideas and be part of the solution.

Welding Gone Wrong

Welding Fire Destroys Multi-Family Home

“A fire that damaged a multifamily home downtown this morning was most likely caused by welders doing work at the property, a fire official said. The fire displaced four families; two will be staying with relatives and two were being sheltered by the local Red Cross, according to Dave Goldstein, Tarrytown's first assistant fire chief.”

Welding Supplies

Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit the all new Baker’s Gas and Welding website for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies. You’ll find tons of customer reviews, better search options, and all of the top name welding brands at the lowest prices online.

Weekly Welding Roundup–Welding News

Nearly forty years ago Frederick Sachs learned how to weld from a friend while growing up on a farm in New York state’s Hudson Valley. However, Sach’s went on to become a Distinguished Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at SUNY Buffalo, and his welding interest had to be put on hold.

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However, later in his career, Sachs took a few lessons in welding steel and found that welding proved to be an ideal hobby, providing a tactile mode of expression after spending his days working in labs and writing research grant proposals. Sachs has welded art with steel for 10 years and continues to create along the Lake Erie coast. So far his works have only been given as gifts to friends, but Sachs is quick to note that the immediacy of creating is its own reward.

This week’s welding roundup will look at another benefit of welding: a stable, life-long career.

Welding Industry

Seamless Welding Process Developed at Ohio State

“Researchers at the Ohio State University Impulse Manufacturing Laboratory, lead by materials science professor Glenn Haehn, have developed a new welding system that uses a high-voltage capacitor bank to produce a very short electrical pulse within a thin piece of aluminum foil.

As the foil vaporizes, the resulting hot gas pushes the metal pieces together very rapidly, joining them without melting. The welded bond is made by impact, so there is no seam of weakened metal from melting. This new process is called VFA – vaporized foil actuator welding.”

Welding Jobs

Roane State Trains Students for Automotive Welding Jobs

“Roane State Community College received a $25,000 grant to develop classes in lightweight metal welding, a skill set needed by automotive manufacturers. The grant from the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology will be used to develop four courses: aluminum welding, robotic welding, non-destructive testing, and metallurgy. Grant funds will pay for costs related to course development, supplies, and outreach materials.”

Military Trains Soldiers for Welding Careers
“Specialist Tanya Preddy and Sergeant Alyssa Tamayo, prepare for careers that provide good jobs while breaking ground at the same time. Preddy and Tamayo just became the first women to graduate Fort Campbell’s Veterans in Piping program in Kentucky. Veterans in Piping is a program of the United Association.”

Welding Education

Indiana College Offers 8-Week Summer Welding Course
Lincoln Trail College is offering a class this summer, for those wanting to learn the basics of welding. Whether you are looking to pick up a hobby or thinking about making a career out of it, this community welding class will teach you the fundamentals, along with other special projects done though out the course of the class.

Northwest Florida State College Teacher Recognized

“In November, Scottie Smith will receive the national Howard E. Adkins Memorial Instructor Award from the American Welding Society. His father won the same award back in 1999.

The welding shop at Northwest Florida State College is the first classroom Dallas Montgomery has felt comfortable in. Channeling his restlessness into hot metal, he's found success and accomplishment.”

High School Students Win Competition with 6-Foot Bear Sculpture

“Students in the machine tool and welding class at Coloma High School have won yet another state competition. From May 11 to May 14, the kids showed off their welding skills at the Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society — or, MITES — Student Project Competition in Lansing, and for the fourth year in a row, they came back with top honors. Coloma Schools Career and Technology Education Director Cathy Haley says the students spent the whole school year designing and building an over-six-foot statue of a bear.”

North Carolina School Hosts AWS Welding Competition
“The American Welding Society Regional Welding Competition was hosted by Surry Community College on April 22, when welding students from all over the state competed to produce the best welds. During the one-day competition, participants used their skill sets to make welds using a number of different processes in the newly expanded welding lab at Surry Community College. Students followed a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) to complete the weldments. SCC’s welding lab has 26 booths each equipped with various machines. Surry also has a Fanuc robot with the Lincoln Electric welding educational cell.”

Welding Events

3rd Welding Education, Skills & Certification Conference
Aug 10 – 12, 2016, Houston, TX

The impending skills gap in manufacturing continues to be a hot-button topic. In it’s third year, the Welding Education, Skills & Certification Conference aims to address the welding industry piece of the puzzle. How do we ensure we’re doing our part to deliver new, skilled professionals into this booming sector? Attend this conference to gain new insights, share best practices, exchange ideas and be part of the solution.

Welding Gone Wrong

Welding on Water Pipe Caused 20-Acre Fire in California

“A fire that scorched about 20 acres Friday in Coto De Caza was started accidentally by welding-related equipment, authorities said Monday. The blaze broke out about 11:30 a.m. near a large home on Tortoise Shell, which sits on a cul-de-sac within the gated community, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz.”

Welding Supplies

Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit the all new Baker’s Gas and Welding website for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies. You’ll find tons of customer reviews, better search options, and all of the top name welding brands at the lowest prices online.

Weekly Welding Roundup-Welding News

This is the first rodeo in Chanute, Kansas… for welders that is. Bob Cross thought of organizing the rodeo when he heard about competitions in other towns where welders go to the competition that provides metal parts for teams to weld together during a set period of time.

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The 1^st Junkyard Welding War will allow participants to bring their pieces with them to the event. The event will run from 9:30 to 5:00 pm Irene Hudson Pocket Park. Each piece must have a safari theme for the event. Individuals and teams of up to four members are permitted to enter the event.

The winner will be selected by those who attend the event, which is sponsored by The Chanute Art Gallery.

Welding Industry

Women More Likely to Earn a Fair Wage as Welders
“Women would earn more and narrow the gender pay gap if they got jobs now dominated by men in fast-growing fields such as information technology, welding or truck mechanics, according to a new study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

The study, which examined 473 occupations, found women in only about one-third of so-called middle-skill positions that pay at least $35,000 a year, even though they dominate in the category. About 80 percent of those women make less than $30,000 a year. Middle-skill jobs typically require some training after high school but no college degree.”

NASA Uses Precise Welding Technique on New Rocket
“A liquid oxygen tank confidence article for NASA’s new rocket, the Space Launch System, completes final welding on the Vertical Assembly Center at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. This is the first glimpse of what one of the two tanks will look like that make up the SLS core stage. Towering more than 200 feet tall with a diameter of 27.6 feet, the core stage will store cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that will feed the vehicle’s RS-25 engines. Confidence hardware verifies weld procedures are working as planned and tooling-to-hardware interfaces are correct.”

Welding Jobs

Welders Forge Welding Business Partnership
“Hi Point Mobile, Inc., owned by Jarod Carlen, has purchased the facility formerly known as Hatten Welding and Repairs, 498 County Road 600 N., in Neoga.

The facility is located six miles north of Montrose. Carlen will join Gary Hatten, welder and fabricator, with each of them operating their own individual businesses under one roof. The two businessmen will be offering a one-stop shop for all repair needs, according to a press release.”

Seattle Shipyard Seeks to Train Marine Welders
“A local college and a shipyard have come together to provide opportunities for students in an industry with a great need. Many in the maritime welding industry are near retirement or need additional training, so South Seattle College and Vigor Shipyard are working together to get new people in the business.

The school’s classroom is at the Harbor Island Training Center on the Vigor Property, which gives students real-world, on-the-job training during their course.”

Welding Education

Illinois College Hosts Welding Boot Camp
“The continuing education department at McHenry County College will host a “Welding Boot Camp” for professionals looking to advance and beginners looking to develop, the college said. Starting April 4, the camp lasts from 6 to 9:20 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday, through May 11.”

Seven Young Women Complete 7^th Annual Welding Course
“AMFA Educational Trust is pleased to announce financial support for the 7th Annual Women's Welding Project, a partnership of Men As Peacemakers Girls' Restorative Program and WITC-Superior.  Students in the Girls Restorative Program completed a four day, 14 hour, intensive welding program, creating a bench and a table with the theme of Transformation.  By completing the course, held March 7-11, 2016, the girls earned partial college and high school credit. 

Of the seven girls who participated, four had prior experience in welding; three had participated in the Women's Welding Project during a previous year. Two are seriously considering welding as a career.”

 

Welding Events

9th International Seminar & Conference on Advances in Resistance Welding
Apr 12, 2016 – Apr 15, 2016, Miami, FL
AWS, RWMA, and Swantec have joined forces to bring this Seminar and Conference on Resistance Welding. Industry experts from leading institutes and companies in the ­field of resistance welding will give a comprehensive overview on the latest in materials, welding equipment, innovations and industrial applications. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to network with the leaders in resistance welding.

Welding Gone Wrong

Oregon Welding Company Produces Volatile Blaze
“A two-alarm fire tore through a welding supply company Thursday. It sparked up on Washington Street just off Interstate 205. Firefighters requested extra crews because of volatile materials inside”

Welding Supplies and Welders on Sale

Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit the all new Baker’s Gas and Welding website for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies. You’ll find tons of customer reviews, better search options, and all of the top name welding brands at the lowest prices online.

Weekly Welding Roundup-Welding News

You can find welding just about everywhere you look, not just in fabrication shops. If theaters want to build larger, elaborate sets, they’re going to need welders to fabricate the metal joints together, and that’s where Bryn Mawr College theater major Samantha Wall, ’17, comes in. She first picked up welding while on a theater group internship in Hartford, CT.

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Director of Science Services Richard Willard at Bryan Mawr College now provides lessons for Wall in the school’s machine shop where a few students pick up welding tips from time to time while working on engineering projects.

Here’s a look at some other places where you can find welding this week:

Welding Industry

Automated Jobs Are the Future
“Speaker after speaker at the Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Business and Education Forum II told attendees at Clemson University's Madren Conference Center that manufacturers want students well-versed in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects and ready for increasingly automated workplaces.

Tri-County Technical College gets a lot of attention for its mechatronics, welding and other manufacturing training programs, but local school districts are preparing students even earlier. Educators from all three counties talked up the career centers in their home districts, and students discussed how they're preparing for good-paying careers working with advanced electronics and robotics on clean shop floors.”

Welding Jobs

Internship Improves Young Welder’s Skills
“Wyatt Ruhland is getting a jump start on his welding career. The Baraboo High School senior works each afternoon at Synergy Metalworks LLC, improving his skills as part of a Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Ruland said he wanted to be a part of the program because he had an interest in welding and fabrication. ‘I started welding in school and I liked it,’ he said. He made a metal stool as part of a class and became interested in the process. ‘Just welding it together caught my interest, just making something from nothing,’ he said.”

Welding Education

Louisiana Welding Class Has Open Seats
“There’s still time to register for 10-week welding courses at SLCC’s Gulf Area Campus that’s starting soon.

This 10-week course is for anyone interested in learning to weld or anyone looking for a refresher course. The appropriate level of welding will be offered according to the student’s skill level. Classes will be from 5 – 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting March 14 and concluding May 25.”

Florida Welding Students Compete Against Veterans
When Ray High School senior Abraham Espinoza was asked to go up against veteran welders for a national competition, he shelved the notion of mismatched rivalries and grew eager to experience his first plane ride. ‘It's really exciting for me,’ the 18-year-old Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend student said. ‘I feel honored to be picked to go.’

Espinoza, a CCISD student, and West Oso High School senior John Valdez, were chosen from a pool of about 300 Craft Training Center students to compete in the Associated Builders and Contractors' annual National Craft Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

American River College Hopes to Fill Welding Job Gap
To help attract and train more welding professionals, American River College on Saturday promoted its technical education programs.

According to the American Welding Society and the college, the country will need more than 374,000 welders by 2024. The society co-hosted Saturday’s event, offering virtual reality welding experiences and hands-on demonstrations. Local companies set up booths to offer information and job applications for students and graduates.

Welding Events

FABTECH-Canada
“FABTECH Canada will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre, March 22-24, 2016. The event is co-sponsored by SME, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the American Welding Society (AWS), the Precision Metal-forming Association (PMA), and Chemical Coaters Association International. Companies specializing in fabricating, metal forming, welding, and finishing will have the opportunity to network, improve productivity, increase profits and discover innovative ways to expand in today’s competitive business environment.”

9th International Seminar & Conference on Advances in Resistance Welding
Apr 12, 2016 – Apr 15, 2016, Miami, FL
AWS, RWMA, and Swantec have joined forces to bring this Seminar and Conference on Resistance Welding. Industry experts from leading institutes and companies in the ­field of resistance welding will give a comprehensive overview on the latest in materials, welding equipment, innovations and industrial applications. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to network with the leaders in resistance welding.

Welding Gone Wrong

Welding Causes Fire on Downtown Building
“‘Careless welding’ sparked a blaze Tuesday afternoon on the roof of the historic Pioneer Endicott Buildings in downtown St. Paul, according to the Fire Department. The blaze began in a large elevator equipment room atop the 16-story Pioneer Building, which is part of the Pioneer Endicott complex, according to St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard and Mike Zipko, a representative for the buildings. Apartment residents on the 16th floor were evacuated, according to the Fire Department and Zipko.”

Welding Gas Explodes in Kansas
“Welding gas bottles were exploding making it difficult to get close. Truck mounted nozzles were used to cool the bottles allowing crews to extinguish the truck.”

Welding Supplies

Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit the all new Baker’s Gas and Weldingwebsite for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies. You’ll find tons of customer reviews, better search options, and all of the top name welding brands at the lowest prices online.

 

Weekly Welding Roundup–Welding News

When Lorianne Tavenor-Wilson won the Canadian Welding Association (CWA) Foundation post secondary award along with a $2,000 check, it marked a milestone for the hardworking married mother of two who is in the midst of a career change after leaving high school early to pursue a career in the trades. Today, Tavenor-Wilson is on track to become the first college graduate in her family.

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The CWA award weighs each welding student’s academic achievements, community involvement, volunteer work, an essay on a projected career path, and welding work. Tavenor-Wilson plans to earn a red seal journeyman’s ticket and then pursue a career in welding, however, she is also deeply involved in her community, volunteering in Citizens on Patrol with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, St. John Ambulance, and Emergency Social Services.

Welding Industry

Welding and Shielding Gas Industries Projected to Grow
“The global welding gas/shielding gas market is projected to grow from USD 7.17 billion in 2015 to reach USD 9.46 billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 5.70%.

The market for welding gas/shielding gas is growing, due to increasing applications of welding gas/shielding gas in the construction sector, growing aerospace industry, and rising demand for metal manufacturing & fabrication. Growing demand from the automotive industry also provides an opportunity to the market to further grow, especially in the emerging Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions.”

Welding Meets 3-D Printing
“Although they're still far from being common, 3D-printed metal bicycle frames do now exist. Usually they're made using a sintering process, in which a laser is utilized to selectively melt steel powder, building it up in successive layers. Now, however, a team of students at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands has taken another approach – they've created the world's first stainless steel bike made via a welding-based 3D-printing technique.”

Welding Jobs

Amarillo, TX Chosen for 180 New Welding Jobs
“Hundreds of full-time employees are needed for a new plant opening in Amarillo. Gestamp Renewable Industries, a company out of Spain, is opening its first American wind tower manufacturing plant in Amarillo.

Amarillo was chosen out of about a dozen other locations throughout the country because of the success of the wind industry in this area. ‘The plant, when it gets up and fully operational, will hire at least 300 people,’ said Buzz David, President and CEO of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation. ‘Annual payroll will be in the $13 million range, and their capital investment is over $40 million.’”

Gulfport, MS Gains 1,000 Shipyard Jobs
“One thousand new shipyard jobs at Topship Shipyard is big news, not only for craftsmen currently looking for employment, but also for students at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

When Jason Barker moved to the Coast, he decided to also make a career move and enrolled in MGCCC's welding program. He says learning 1,000 shipyard jobs are coming to the area affirmed his decision.”

Welding Education

Welding Students Receive Donated Miller TIG Welder
“St. Ansgar High School Industrial Technology students have a new resource which they are now able to utilize in their classes. A new welder, a TIG welder, has been donated by Grain Millers. This new welder will allow the students to weld a variety of different materials, but will mostly be used to weld aluminum in the Industrial Tech classroom.

‘One of the main goals of the welder donation is to expose students to multiple career paths and make them aware of job opportunities at our local industries,’ said Industrial Tech Instructor Craig Christensen. “The use of a TIG welder will allow students to learn a high level welding technique, it will also provide students with experience in a variety of welding processes.’”

Experienced Female Instructors Attract Female Welding Students
“Less than 10 percent of women make up the welding workforce, and San Jacinto College welders Amber Tyler and Emily Choate are up for the challenge on how to turn this number around. They're called the ‘dynamic duo’ within the College's welding department and for a good reason. Since coming aboard as welding faculty members, Tyler and Choate have encouraged high school groups of female students to visit their campus for a glimpse at the welding labs, and for discussions on what it takes to become a welder and benefits of a career in welding.

‘They're really surprised at what we say,’ Choate said. ‘They see the welding lab, and they become excited about this career. They tell us that they're coming back after high school to become welders.’”

Welding Student Breaks Gender Stereotypes
“Kalei Kipp is the only girl in the welding program at Cedar Crest High School in Pennsylvania. ‘It’s different from every other class that’s offered at the school, and it’s kind of dangerous and neat,’ explains Kalei, who is considering a career in welding.

The U.S. economy includes more than 388,000 welding jobs and will need 111,000 new welders in five years, according to the American Welding Society. Currently, only 3 percent of professional welders are women.”

Welding Events

FABTECH-Canada
“FABTECH Canada will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre, March 22-24, 2016. The event is co-sponsored by SME, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the American Welding Society (AWS), the Precision Metal-forming Association (PMA), and Chemical Coaters Association International. Companies specializing in fabricating, metal forming, welding, and finishing will have the opportunity to network, improve productivity, increase profits and discover innovative ways to expand in today’s competitive business environment.”

9th International Seminar & Conference on Advances in Resistance Welding
Apr 12, 2016 – Apr 15, 2016, Miami, FL
AWS, RWMA, and Swantec have joined forces to bring this Seminar and Conference on Resistance Welding. Industry experts from leading institutes and companies in the ­field of resistance welding will give a comprehensive overview on the latest in materials, welding equipment, innovations and industrial applications. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to network with the leaders in resistance welding.

Welding Gone Wrong

Man Trapped by Welding Fire
“A man suffered life-threatening burns after a welding fire erupted in a Magnolia garage early Saturday morning. The blaze started about 12:30 a.m. in a backyard structure at Towering Oaks Drive and Lonesome Pine Street.

The 45-year-old victim was doing welding work when something caught fire and sent flames throughout the shed. Authorities believe the man was injured as he attempted to extinguish the fire or while he was trapped by the flames.”

Welding Supplies on Sale

Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit Baker’s Gas and Welding for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies.

Weekly Welding Roundup-Welding News

Hazard, Kentucky will be the location of southeastern Kentucky’s first Welding Rodeo on October 23^rd. The event will include welding teams from community colleges and local organizations who will be given piles of scrap metal and 8 hours to weld a sculpture.

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The winning sculpture, chosen by judges, will be displayed along the new River Arts Greenway in Hazard. Community members will also select a People’s Choice Award.

The sculptures will be created around the theme, “River Creatures.” The team that creates the winning entry will also receive a cash prize.

 

Welding Industry

Miller Releases New TIG and Stick Welder
“The stick and TIG-capable CST 280 Series from Miller Electric Mfg. Co., is now available with an optional digital meter for more precise control when presetting of monitoring welding amperage is ideal for welding pipe and plate in power plant construction, petrochemical construction, maintenance and repair and shipbuilding applications.

‘With a digital weld meter, the welding operator can quickly identify both preset and welding amperage levels. This allows operators to know they are within specified parameters,’ said Caleb Rosera, product manager at Miller Electric Mfg. Co.”

 

Welding Education

John Wood Community College Offers Welding Introduction for Students
“Welding Formations is for students grades 5 through 12 and will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17, in room W117 at JWCC's Workforce Development Center, 2240 Koch's Lane in Quincy, IL. Students will learn to cut and weld metal using an arc welder and wire welder. Leather shoes, long sleeves and long pants are required. Instructor is Jim Fuhrman. Cost is $45.”

Grant of $30,000 Upgrades Welding Shop at State College
“Morrisville State College’s welding lab will get a boost thanks to a $30,000 grant from the Dominion Foundation. Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy. The grant money will be used to update equipment, a move that will add spark to welding courses at MSC.”

Mississippi Junior College Offers Beginner Welding Class for $125
“Jones County Junior College’s Workforce Development is offering a Welding class at the Clarke County Learning Center in Stonewall. This course will meet Monday through Thursday, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., beginning Monday, October 26, 2015 through December 18, 2015.”

Shooting Event Raises $3,000 for Welding Scholarships in Kansas
“Area shooters gathered at Lunbrook Sporting Place for the 2nd Annual Jeremy Brown Fun Shoot. The event, which raised money in remembrance of Brown, passed after an injury sustained in an ATV accident in 2013.

‘We host this event every year to remember Jeremy,’ said Brown's best friend, Seth Kelley. ‘We use the funds raised to give to Butler's welding department because the program was a big part of his life.’"

PA College and High School Partner on Welding Facilities and Degree Programs
“An educational alliance, the first of its kind in the county, has been struck between Northern Lebanon School District and HACC'S Lebanon Campus.

In an effort to develop an ongoing relationship between the college and the district, school board members approved the joint agreement Tuesday night, which outlines the shared use of equipment and facilities between HACC and the high school industrial and technology facility for welding courses.”

 

Welding Jobs

Welder Makes a Living from His Art
“Paul Boccolucci is a self taught blacksmith, artist and sculptor who uses a welding torch and chunks of iron to create his colorful and clever works of art.

Boccolucci has been producing his whimsical sculptures for more than 40 years. The Real Stuff Gallery is on Rt. 219 in West Valley, NY. You can't miss it. Out front you'll see a huge dragon and a six-foot Sponge Bob made of iron.”

High School Senior Preparing for Welding Job Market
“When Sparta High School senior Kyle Kast graduates this spring, he’ll have more than just a diploma to hang on his wall. A member of the school’s new welding program, he also will have a certificate from Western Technical College, along with the training and skills necessary to begin pursuing a career.

Kast said he knew early he wanted to be a welder, and the ability to start work right out of high school was important because it gives him a head start compared to other students.”

 

Welding Events

FABTECH
“FABTECH brings a wealth of innovation and technology solutions to Chicago, IL November 9-12, 2015… More than 40,000 attendees and over 1,500 exhibiting companies are expected to gather once again celebrating metal manufacturing at its best. The event also provides learning opportunities beyond the show floor with over 100 educational sessions and expert-led presentations covering the latest trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.”

 

Welding Gone Wrong

Fire Contained in School’s Welding Department
“The Wausau Fire Department responded to a small fire in the Welding Department at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau Tuesday. Crews were called to the 1000 block of West Campus Drive just before 8 Tuesday evening for reports of smoke and flames.”

 

Welding Supplies on Sale
Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit Baker’s Gas and Welding for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies.

 

 

Where to Find a Welding Career in the Military

Experienced and inexperienced welders may find some of their best career opportunities by signing on with the military. While welders who join the army may run the risk of being in combat, there are many other options for welders who want to minimize their time in combat zones. Here’s a brief look at some options for welders in America’s armed forces.

Image Source: AWS

 

Welding Careers in the Armed Services

Welders can find careers in any branch of the military, but depending on the branch of service and its particular needs, you can increase your chances of landing a desirable welding position by reviewing the options in your region and considering relocating in order to find the best situation.

For instance, the Navy regularly posts listings for welders who can repair their ships in various port cities. However, the Army will need welders both at home and overseas. Some welders will need to venture into combat zones in order to provide close support to tanks and helicopters that require additional repairs and adjustments.

Air Force welders will need to travel to wherever their pilots are stationed in order to work on the jets in their hangers. In fact, welders may be needed to help fabricate the hangers in the first place! The Marines will call for talented welders able to work with a variety of settings and materials, often under difficult conditions, while the Coast Guard will need repairmen to regularly perform maintenance on their ships.

The National Guard is also an option for welders who don’t want to relocate, but these listings will depend on the particular needs of your state’s branch (for example). You can usually find military listings on mainstream job sites that make National Guard membership a requirement before applying.

In addition, the armed forces also hire civilians who must receive military clearance. For instance, this U.S Army welder position does not require military experience or membership.

As you look into the welding jobs listed on military websites or on services like Indeed or Monster, remember that certain branches of the military will tend to offer certain types of welding work.

The Locations for Welders in the Military

If you check out the Army’s career placement page, the first thing you’ll probably notice is that you won’t have a guarantee about your job placement. You may apply for a welding or construction position, but the Army’s needs may send you to a different department.

You can mitigate this uncertainty to a certain degree if you’re willing to seek out a posting where there’s a strong need for welders. For instance, many Navy or Coast Guard positions along the gulf coast or in Virginia have a strong demand for welders. If welding in the military is more important than serving in a particular branch, these branches may provide more opportunities and stability, as ships always need routine maintenance.

Having said that, if you take the risk of applying for a welding career in the Army, you could be more likely to enjoy the benefits of combat pay and more extensive travel opportunities.

Regardless of the branch you choose, the armed forces provide job training, housing, and competitive salaries for welders.

The Skills Required for Military Welders

If you want to find work in the military as a welder, you have two options. On the one hand, you can enlist and trust the military to provide the training you need for the post they provide. There are excellent training programs that ensure you’ll have interviews with leading companies after the end of your service in the military.

This saves on your personal investment in job training and schooling while taking care of living and personal expenses. You’ll be assured that your training prepares you for the military branch you’ve chosen.

If you’d rather try to apply for a National Guard welding position or civilian welding position, keep in mind that these positions often call for a wide range of welding, machining, and sheet metal working skills. If you can only use a MIG welder, you’ll need to start working with other processes, especially stick welding, oxy-acetylene, and even TIG welding if you’re working with more specialized welding for aircrafts.

You should know how to weld, braze, machine, solder, and grind a wide variety of metals. From fabricating from scratch to repairing existing machines, the more experience you bring to the job, the better your chances of starting a welding career in the military.

Get Welding Supplies for Your Next Welding Job

Welders need high quality helmets, gloves, and clothes for their jobs, and there’s no better place to pick up welding gear on sale than Baker’s Gas and Welding, which regularly offers free UPS shipping on most orders.

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Weekly Welding News Roundup

Automotive companies have long sought how to weld steel and aluminum together rather than relying on riveting and glue. Lightweight aluminum has long been ruled out as a partner for steel by engineers. However, Austrian welder Alois Leitner claims to have solved a riddle that could one day revolutionize the way cars are made.

Image Source: WSJ

Leitner, who works for Voestalpine AG, the third-largest steelmaker in Europe, says that the process is not yet ready for mass-production, even if it is successful in joining the two metals. According to an interview with the Wall Street Journal:  

 “Voestalpine’s process is neither easy nor cheap. The company uses a special solder and torches just hot enough to melt aluminum but not steel. The process, called cold metal transfer, employs an argon gas to avoid oxidation. Finally, the steel is coated with zinc to bind the steel, solder and aluminum.”

While Leitner’s discovery may not make it into most automotive shops for years to come, there are plenty of other exciting innovations going on in the world of welding right now:

Welding Industry

Indiana Training Center Is Small Business of the Year: “The United States will need an estimated 200,000 welders, as the current generation continues to retire. Since 2009, the Calumet Welding Center in Griffith has been trying to plug that hole. 

The welding center, at 1947 N. Griffith Blvd., works with local employers to ensure they have enough trained welders to work as pipefitters, boilermakers, ironworkers, and sheet metal workers, as well as in a variety of other positions. Calumet Welding Center offers two-and-a-half-month to seven-and-a-half-month programs that fuse a lot of hands-on shop training with technical classroom instruction.”

New Laser-Touch Sensing Promises Stronger Welds: “An upgrade from conventional touch sensing, the laser touch sensing process improves the overall speed, efficiency and quality of the robotic welding process.

“With conventional touch sensing, a series of physical touches is required to determine the part orientation before the robotics can confirm any misalignment,” said Tim Baber, department chair of the College of the Canyons welding technology program.”

Welding Jobs

South Dakota Schools Can’t Keep Up with Demand: According to Jeff Holcomb, president of Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls: “His school graduates welders who start at $20 an hour. They work with equipment that's much more advanced than it was 25 years ago. And they work in environments — at Marmen Energy, at Egger and Sioux Steel, at Raven Industries – ‘that are clean and nice and much more modernized,’ he says…

All four technical institutes in the state have welding programs. ‘The issue,’ Holcomb says, "is we couldn't turn out enough of them to fill the need even if we quadrupled the space in our programs.’”

Welding Education

High School Students in Cincinnati Take Up Welding for Secure Jobs: “High school junior Megan Thompson readies for her next class lesson by stepping into a tiny, cemented booth and lighting a white-hot, 6,000-degree torch.

The torch's dangerous sparks reflect brightly in the protective, darkened visor of her welder's helmet, which she has proudly decorated in bright feminine colors. The 17-year-old Fairfield girl's work future in welding is nearly as bright as the blinding torch she deftly wields.”

Kentucky Community College Upgrades Welding Lab: “A local college is expanding by breaking ground on a brand new welding center. Henderson Community College officially begins construction on a $1.4 million project with a dirt turning ceremony.

The building will sit on the college's Henderson campus. It will offer 20 welding stations and a technology-enabled classroom. ”

High School Students Run Their Own Welding Business: “Tucked into the downstairs of the main Great Falls High School building, Bison Welding Works is making a big impact on the students.

Senior Asher Payne is the head engineer and one of the founding members of the group. He says, ‘I do most of the designing of any of the special orders that people have.’”

Welding Events

2015 International Brazing & Soldering Conference (IBSC), April 19-22

Now in its 6th Year, the IBSC remains the premier event for the brazing and soldering community. For years, the IBSC has provided professionals, scientists and engineers involved in the research, development and application of brazing and soldering, a unique networking and idea-exchange forum. This three-day conference provides cutting-edge education and technical programming for the brazing and soldering community, as well as peer-networking and a full exhibit program, showcasing the latest trends, products, processes and techniques available in the industry.

Welding Gone Wrong

New Jersey Welding Supply Employee Burned: “ An explosion at a Clifton welding factory severely burned an employee early Friday and injured two others, a fire official said at the scene. 

The initial explosion occurred as three employees were filling cylinders with oxygen from a larger reservoir of the gas at AGL Welding Supply, said Clifton fire Chief Vincent Colavitti Jr. One of the employees suffered severe burns to his upper body in the explosion, and was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, Colavatti said.”

Welding Supplies on Sale

Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit Baker’s Gas and Welding for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies.

Weekly Welding Roundup–Welding News

Brittany Everett didn’t choose welding as her first career. She had been working a desk job in drafting and design, but when she was laid off, she needed to find a reliable source of income in order to support herself and her young daughter. That’s where welding came in.

After enrolling in a 120 hour welding training program, she was not only certified, she had a series of job interviews lined up right away. “I always wanted to try welding since I was in high school,” she shared. “I don’t mind working hard or sweating, and I know welding is a really good field to get in to.”

As welding jobs continue to multiply, welding has been a reliable fall back career for anyone who likes working with their hands and needs a steady source of income. This week the world of welding continues to show signs of growth and new training opportunities.

Article and Image Source: Sealy News

Welding Industry

Welding Professor Tries to Fuse Two Welding Processes: “This was a chance to take the Lab's laser expertise and combine it with a welding technique called friction stir welding, a technique that the Lab is interested in and that I have experience in applying," Baker said. "We are trying to merge those two technologies and create a technology called diode laser-assisted friction stir welding. If we can heat the material up first with lasers, the process may become more efficient."

Friction stir welding is a solid-state joining process used to fuse two metal surfaces. A welding tool generates heat that creates a soft border on each metal piece, allowing the two to be mechanically intermixed and fused together without melting. This expertise, paired with the Lab's long history of leadership in lasers, creates the basis for a well-executed exploration of combining the two technologies.”

Welding Education

Former Nursing Student Enjoys Welding Classes: “Twenty-one-year-old Miranda Baucom ties back her long blond hair in a ponytail and drops the shield of her welding helmet down over her face. She then lights a torch that will reach temperatures above 3,000 degrees…”

“Baucom started college after graduating from Richmond Senior High School in 2012. She began taking classes to become a nurse, but it didn’t take long for her to realize this wasn’t the right career path for her, so she withdrew from the program.”

Three Rivers College Offers Free Welding Course: “Beginning August 19, a new flux-cored welding pilot program will be offered. According to Project Director, Michael Barrett, the first course will be offered tuition-free, but there are only 18 slots left, so he encourages anyone interested to apply right away. The eight-week series of classes will begin on Tuesday, August 19, and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday night, 4-8 p.m.

‘Since this is the first (time this course has been offered), and its financial aid package has not been completed yet, we are offering it tuition-free,’ said Barrett. ‘However, it is only this one time, so students will need to go online, at www.trcc.edu, to complete the application, before going to the TRC Kennett campus to actually register for the class.’”

Welding Events

FABTECH Comes to Atlanta on November 11-13, 2014: FABTECH is “bringing together an anticipated 27,000 attendees and 1,400 exhibiting companies all under one roof. The show provides a backdrop for visitors to experience live equipment demonstration, find cost savings solutions, and network with industry peers throughout the 500,000+ square feet of show floor throughout the A, B, and C buildings at the Georgia World Congress Center.

The event also provides learning opportunities beyond the exhibits with over 100 educational sessions and expert-led presentations on the latest industry trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.”

Welding Gone Wrong

Welding Mistake Caused Fire on Australian Navy Ship: “Millions of dollars of military hardware burned ferociously as HMAS Bundaberg sat high and dry beside the Brisbane River.

The 57-metre navy patrol boat was being refitted by civilian contractors when the blaze erupted deep within the belly of the ship, just before midday. The flames quickly engulfed the vessel, worth about $30 million, sending black smoke spewing from the huge industrial shed.”

Get Great Deals on Welding Supplies

Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit Baker’s Gas and Welding for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies.

How to Find Welding Jobs This Week

If you’re a welder with years of experience or if you’re a “noob” who just graduated from trade school, the good news is that you can easily find great welding jobs that pay excellent starting salaries. However, there is one catch if you want the best work and the most exciting opportunities…

 
Image Source: Texoma

 

Welders must be willing to relocate to the locations with the best welding jobs if they want to take leaps forward in their careers. There are great opportunities along the coasts and straight up the Midwest from Texas to the Dakotas. We took a look at this week’s welding news to track down some of the latest welding job opportunities at companies looking to hire more welders.

Welding Jobs in Iowa

Iowa has invested $500,000 in a career-training program. Skilled manufacturing jobs, including welding, are expected to be in high demand within five years, and politicians in Iowa are trying to be on the cutting edge of this trend. According to one report: “By 2018, Iowa's advanced manufacturing sector expects a shortage of 6,672 skilled workers.”

At the heart of this campaign is a commitment to both training and awareness about the great opportunities in manufacturing. Americans are being lured away from uncertain desk jobs in order to find manufacturing work that is far more interesting and secure as more companies locate their production facilities in America rather than overseas.

Iowa is banking on this influx of manufacturing jobs to keep the state’s economy growing for years to come, which is a good sign for welders looking for secure positions in a growing field.

Welding Jobs in Texas

Bad Welds Put Future of Keystone XL Pipeline in Jeopardy: If you’re counting on finding a job connected to the Keystone XL Pipeline, think again. Although the project was lauded as the safest pipeline project to date, a series of bad welds have caused decision-makers to reconsider the practicality of this project.

In addition, national security experts have questioned whether this major oil pipeline could become a major target for terrorists.

All of these factors combine to cast a shadow of doubts on the future of the pipeline and its promise of new jobs. Welders may be advised to seek work at other companies until the future the pipeline is settled.

Overall, Texas has plenty of welding opportunities thanks to the natural gas and oil booms, but follow the news carefully before taking a gamble down there!

Welding Jobs in Oregon

Harris Thermal Transfer Products is adding 30 new welding jobs at its latest fabrication plant in Bonner, Oregon. The new plant is currently under construction and will create products for both American and Canadian markets.

The region’s manufacturing sector has long been neglected, so the new plant offers hope of a new future with higher paying jobs for welders and other skilled trade workers.

Welding Jobs in Oklahoma

Technical colleges and training centers are adding extra classes as a statewide need for welders has caused a minor crisis among manufacturing companies. Some companies are simply unable to expand because they don’t have enough workers to fill the demand they have for new orders.

As students graduate from their classes, employers promise that they’re more than willing to begin interviewing them for available positions.

Welding Jobs in Ohio

High-paying welding jobs have been reported in eastern Ohio where natural gas drilling has led to an explosion of job opportunities. However, the strong job market in Columbus continues to provide a positive outlook for residents looking for a welding job in one of the many manufacturing firms located throughout the city.

The Columbus Telegram reports that this growth is expected to continue as “Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Ricketts stopped in Columbus on Monday to meet with local business leaders and discuss his plan to grow the state’s manufacturing sector.”

Welding Jobs in South Carolina

Welding engineers looking for a steady job in the energy sector should take note of the Greenville, SC expansion of GE. Roughly 80 engineering jobs are expected to be added to the new plant expansion.

Welding Jobs in Alaska

Oil pipelines throughout Alaska, Canada, and the U.S. are leading to significant job growth for pipeline welders. The Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center was created to specifically train welders for the many job opportunities they can find while working along pipelines.

Welders can also take their job skills and enter into other trades, such as plumbing and pipefitting. However, in light of the recent job explosion throughout the Dakotas, a little bit of pipeline welding training could go a long way to preparing a welder for a new career filled with opportunities.

Prepare for Your Welding Job

Welders need gloves, helmets, and flame resistant clothing. You can find the best deals on them all at Baker’s Gas and Welding with free shipping included.

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