Welding is the most widely technology used by manufacturers to join metals and alloys efficiently and to add value to their products.Most of the familiar objects in modern society, from buildings and bridges, to vehicles, computers, and medical devices, could not be produced without the use of welding.Welding needs to be done properly so that neither catastrophic failure of constructions can occur nor repairing is necessary. Failure will create serious damage to people and also represent significant economic losses. The cost of repairing an unacceptable weld can be 5 to 6 times the cost of welding it correctly the first time.The application of welding technology is strongly regulated by standards which are essential to assure quality, reliability, flexibility and scalability, and to streamline regulatory compliance.The European Welding Federation (EWF) is a welding organisation in which international expertise in welding and related technologies is assembled. For 20 years this organisation has been tracking manufacturing industry needs and trends and developing guidance documents and technology exchange mechanisms to support companies seeking to adopt best practice and standards in welding. The welding industry encompasses a wide variety of key users of welding techniques as companies, universities and other organizations that provide the equipment, materials, processes and support services for welding with a diversity of needs and goals that needs to be attended.The industry needs to ensure that welds will have “zero defects” and establish practical methods which achieve

that result. In order to reach this goal there is a crucial need for talented people. So manufacturers will have to attract people to weldingin order to improve their products and their productivity. This is where EWF has a role to play since it creates the bridge necessary to facilitate reaching this goal through the development and support on implementation of guidelines that link standards with practice in a simple way.EWF has developed a comprehensive training, qualification and certification system applied to both people and companies, harmonised on a world-wide basis. The system is based in harmonised training guidelines and a quality assurance methodology and has been developed in the frame of lifelong learning which is well recognised worldwide and in EN and ISO standards. The most important standards that refers directly or indirectly the EWF system are: EN ISO 14731; EN ISO 3834; EN ISO 14554; EN 1090; EN 12732; EN 15085-2; EN 13445-4; EN ISO 14555; EN ISO 17660; ISO 11745 and ISO 24394. Also the UE directives such as PED, CPD, SVPD make reference to the EWF system via the EN harmonised standards.

As it is more completely integrated to the design and manufacturing cycles of products welding is being accepted as crucial to improving the life-cycle costs, quality and reliability of manufactured goods. That is why it is more and more important to companies to have qualified personnel and EWF system is a way to achive the correct qualification level in welding.

Italo FernandesSystems Manager

NEW GUIDELINE 252for the Education and Training of Personnel

More information page 2

EWF GUIDELINE Comply with the EN 1090-2

More information page 2

First WeldCupThe Best up-and-coming

weldersMore information page 3

EWF ANDROIDAndroid Welding Application

More information page 3

UPDATED GUIDELINE LIST

Revised guideline listMore information page 4

EWF/IIW-IAB SECRETARIATAv. Prof. Cavaco Silva, 33TagusPark - Apartado 012

P-2741-901 Porto Salvo PORTUGAL

Tel:(+351) 214211351 Fax:(+351) 214228122Email: ewf-iab@isq.pt

www.ewf.bewww.iiwelding.org

EWSLETTER

P1 P3 P2 P4

EditoRiAL

In this issue

29I S S U E

Ye a r 2 0 1 1

Automated welding machine being checked for imprefections.

News & Information about the Qualification & Certification System

The “IIW Guideline for International Welding Engineers, T e c h n o l o g i s t s , Specialists and Practitioners” with its last edition from 2007 has been over-worked by a special IAB working group (WGA-2A) since 2009. Inputs from more than 10 countries have been

made in order to update and modernise the existing courses to a “state of the art” level and to meet the requirements of the fast development of industry in the last years. Now the guideline still has the same structure but it contains more lectures for modern technologies like Laser, Beam or Robot Welding. Also the quite new

developed materials for automotive applications or power plants are covered in the syllabus. The duration of the courses has also changed, e.g. for Engineers (+ 1%) for Technologists (+ 7%), for Specialists (+ 7%) and for Practitioners (+ 4%).The access conditions for all courses have been internationally better harmonised, the list of standards has been updated, a possibility to use just developed “virtual trainers” during the practical part was introduced and the harmonisation of “expected results” on all levels has been reached. Lots of details in the syllabus additionally have been optimised.

From now on and for the period until the next update, this modernised guideline can be used by more than 100 ATBs in all 42 member countries of the IIW-IAB International Education, Training and Qualification System.

Christian AhrensChairman Working Group A-2A

IIW Guideline IAB 252r1-11 for the Education and Training of Personnel completely revised

E V E N T S

XIV Kazakhstan Welding ConferenceDecember 5-6, 2011Karaganda, Kazakhstan

International Electron Beam Welding ConferenceMarch 26-30, 2012 Aachen, Germany

www.dvs-ev.de/iebw2012

2nd European Conference JOIN-TRANS 2012 May 2012May 08 - 09, 2012Halle, Germanywww.jointrans.eu

Eurojoin 8, May 2012May 24-26, 2012Pula, Croatiawww.fsb.unizg.hr

The EWF Guideline “Dedicated Knowledge for Personnel with the Responsibility for Welding Coordination to comply with EN 1090-2” has the aim to support in particular the small and medium size metalworking companies.

This Guideline was developed taking into consideration the following:1. Covers the Responsible Welding Coordinators

for Execution Classes EXC1 and 2, for the Basic and Specific level of technical knowledge;

2. Applied for mature candidates who have developed their expertise and knowledge based on their professional activity;

3. Divided in two major parts one regarding welding technology and another concerning the EN 1090-2 and EN ISO 3834 implementation;

4. Reduced the training hours duration taking in consediration that the mature candidates will have a certain level of knowledge.

This new EWF guideline does not replace the EWF core qualifications (e.g. European Welding Engineer, Technologist and Specialist) but because it was designed to cover the EXC1 and 2, and was specially designed for mature persons, has reduced training hours.This will help the small and medium size companies that have on their staff mature welding people who were not able to get a formal qualification in welding previously by providing an European recognized qualification in an efficient cost effective way to comply with the requirements of EN 1090.

For more information you should contact the EWF member on your country. The contacts can be obtained on the EWF web site (www.ewf.be)

NEWSLETTER

EWF Guideline EWF 652r1-11Dedicated Knowledge for Personnel with the Responsibilityfor Welding Coordination to comply with EN 1090-2

28I S S U E

In 2013, “Young Welders” will be staged at the international Schweissen und Schneiden trade fair in Essen. In this respect, the national DVS competition will be supplemented by an international qualifier: Participants from 13 European countries will compete against each other in the first WELDCUP. This will be followed by a contest between Europe and China. With regard to this international contest, DVS will be supported by the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF) and the EWA - European Welding Association (EWA).

The kick off meeting for the preparation of the 2013 “Young Welders” WELDCUP took place on the 27th September 2011 in Hamburg. Several actions were agreed among the European participants, Switerzland, Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria, Hungary and Spain, and the International participant China.

A follow up meeting will took place in Oeiras – Portugal during the EWF meetings in November 2011 to agree on the Rules of the WELDCUP Competition at European and International levels.

First WELDCUP in Essen in 2013 choose the best up-and-coming welders

2nd Award for the Best Responsible Welding Coordinator in Europe

The 9th national DVS “Young Welders” competition took place

during the DVS Congress 2011 in Hamburg. 51 young welders

between 16 and 23 years of age competed against each other in

front of an international trade public

EWF FACEBOOK PAGECongratulations to EWF Facebook Page!

EWF SMART PHONE aplication

Since June 2011 EWF started developing smart phone applications using Google’s Android platform.

The first of these applications, a Welding Calculator for Volume of Butt and Fillet Welding is undergoing beta testing.

After the beta testing phase, a public version will be made available for the general public.

This application will be available soon for download via the android market (https://market.android.com) or from the EWF Webpage (www.ewf.be)

EWF is going to award for the second time the prize for the Best European Responsible Welding Coordinator. The award will be given to a person who is I/EWE that has significantly contributed to the application of new welding/joining technology in the company and/or improved efficiency in welding production systems.

The prize will be awarded in Eurojoin 8 Conference in Pula, Croatia.

The EWF Facebook page is one year old. During this period it had a positive response with a steady growth and feed back from its users.

Regulary updated with industry news, project development and inside information from EWF.

Please join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/europeanweldingfederation

Images of the new EWF smartphone application - Welding Calculator for Butt&Fillet Welding.

Increase in users and feed back has been growing at a steady pace.

NEWSLETTER

EWF Special Courses EWF-570-01: Manual Metal Arc (MMA) – Diver Welder

EWF-494-01: Laser Welding (under revision)

EWF-544-01: Welding Reinforcing Bars

EWF-530-01: Robot Welding (under revision)

EWF-623r1-04: Weld Imperfections for Non-Destructive Testing Personnel

EWF-627-07: Personnel with the responsibility for Macroscopic and Microscopic Metallographic Examination of Structural Materials and their Joints Prepared/Produced by Welding and Allied Techniques

EWF-628r1-10: Personnel with the Responsibility for Heat Treatment of Welded Joints

EWF-640-07: Risk Management in Welding Fabrication

EWF and IIW - Personnel Qualification SystemIAB-252r1-11:European/International welding engineers, technologists, specialists and practitioners - personnel with qualification for welding coordination – E/IWE, E/IWT, E/IWS, E/IWP

IAB-041r3-08: European/International welding inspection personnel – E/IWIP

IAB -089-2003: European/International welder – E/IW

IAB -201r1-10: International welded structures designer - IWSD

IAB -195r1-07: Guideline to implement and develop distance learning

EWF Guidelines for Personnel Qualification SystemEWF-652r1-11: Dedicated Knowledge for Personnel with the Responsibility for Welding Coordination to comply with EN 1090-2 (NEW)

EWF-515r1-10: European Adhesive Bonder - EAB

EWF-516r1-10: European Adhesive Specialist - EAS

EWF-515-01: European Adhesive Engineer - EAE

EWF-525-01: European Welding Specialists for Resistance Welding – EWS-RW

EWF-621-06: European Welding Practitioner for Resistance Welding – EWP-RW

EWF-459r1-06: European Thermal Spraying Specialists - ETSS

EWF-507r1-06: European Thermal Sprayer – ETS

EWF-592-01: European Thermal Spraying Practitioner – ETSP

EU-JOINTRAININGImplementation of Guidelines for Joining Technology Training

The EU-JOINTRAINING project has aimed at improving the qualifications of plastics welding personnel, by upgrading a common

training guideline.The project has produced a revised guideline, in line with current state of the art in plastics welding, along with support material to be used in the actual courses.Pilot Courses are to be held in Italy and Romania, under this revised guideline. Participants will receive an EU-JOINTRAINING diploma afterwards.

It is expected for the revised Guideline to be submitted to the appropriate Technical Committee of EWF, in order for its contents to be assessed and a decision concerning its official recognition as part of EWF’s harmonised training system be reached.Website: www.eu-jointraining.com/

DISTOOLWELDImprove Distance Learning Education

Entering final stage of development, the DISTOOLWELD will close

in February 2012. At that time, a final distance learning multimedia tool will have been developed and translated into PT, PL, IT and RO.Website: www.ewf.be/distoolweld

QWS ISO 3834Quality Welding Standard EN ISO 3834

The QWS ISO 3834 is scheduled to conclude in December 2011. The projects’ main objective

has been to raise awareness to the importance of compliance with EN Standard ISO 3834 regulating quality standards for personnel involved in all stages of welding activity.

In the scope of the project, manuals will be produced for both Personnel and Companies, outlining the main requirements that are needed for compliance with EN-ISO 3834. The manuals will be translated into all partner languages (ES, PT, BG, PL and RO), in order to provide a harmonised approach for compliance with the standard requirements.Website: www.qws3834.com

VIRTWELD

Implementation of Virtual Technology

The VIRTWELD project is scheduled to finish in January 2012. Its implementation has provided

a wide framework for promoting the use of virtual welding equipment for the training of welding personnel. The project will conclude with a set of recommendations on how to include the virtual training hours within EWF’s training.Website: www.virtweld.com

INNOVJOIN Innovation in Distance Learning Courses

The project is now closing its first year of activities. It will finish in the end of 2012, with a new distance learning tool for welding education

implemented in BG, ES, SK and TK.Website: www.innovjoin.com

B-PROF Informal Training Recognition in Welding

This Grundtvig project will enter its most active period in its 2nd year. Partners have been busy in setting the groundwork for developing and implementing the system

of recognizing competences for older workers in the welding sector during 2012.Website: www.bprof.net

ACCESSWELDImprovement on Accessibility of Welding Related Training Courses

The project is underway and going into its 2nd year of activity. The layout for the project’s main product – a computer game based on the welding profession is nearing completion and a preliminary version of the game is expected

for early 2012. It is also expected to implement the dissemination methodology of the project through the Secondary Schools of the partner countries – PL, RO, HU and PTWebsite: www.accessweld.net

NEWSLETTER EWF PROJECTS

Quality Welding Standard EN-ISO 3834

Harmonized system of training and qualification

NEARING ThE FINISh ThE LINEBy the end of 2011, several projects in which EWF has been involved will be closing.Each of those projects has brought interesting results that are an added value to EWF’s network, the welding sector and to the wider training and qualification area.

hALF-WAy ThERE

NEWSLETTER EWF PROJECTS

Today, both education and training are essential issues for the European Union. It is expected that all European citizens are able to have full social, economical and political life. Lifelong learning is vital for people of all ages and brings benefits to them and to society as a whole. Education and training must be present to all citizens from their early youth, throughout their life, considering their professional lives and personal needs as well.

Lifelong learning includes formal and informal education, on random or continuous basis. It happens in different learning situations, takes place from early childhood until the end of life, aiming at improving individual knowledge and skills. Learning is a diversified process to acquire the character traits, values and attitudes toward ourselves and society at large.

To offer permanent apprenticeship is a sine qua non condition to achieve these goals. In this way, a consortium of three partners, IZV - the Welding Institute from Ljubljana, VUZ-PI SR – Vyskumny ustav zvatacsky – Priemyselny institut SR from Bratislava and EWF – European Federation for

Welding, Joining and Cutting from Lisbon was established.

The two-year project entitled Certification of Welding Coordinators Related to Lifelong Learning suggests a system of lifelong education for welding coordinators based on seminars, organized by the Welding Institutes of the countries involved. In order to maintain the Welding Coordinators updated with the recent welding technologies and standards, at least one seminar per year will be offered to the stakeholders. The topics covered may be: Product standards related with welding, new materials, Non Destructive Testing methods, new welding technologies, standards, weldability, Corrosion and WPS.

The suggested system of lifelong education for welding coordinators proposed and being implemented in Slovenia, follows the guide EWF PROGRAM FOR SEMINARS (EWF -649-09 Draft - December 2009). The participants, besides the certificate of attendance, will gain additional knowledge essential to improve their work performance.

LLP LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAmmE FOR WELDING COORDINATORS

ThE 2012 CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS OPEN!YOuR IdEaS aRE ImPORTaNT!

The 2012 call for proposals for the Lifelong Learning Programme is open until February 2nd, 2012.

For this year, the deadline has been advanced one month from last year’s, so interested members in participating in proposals should take special note of this change.As usual, the EWF will be active in looking for good proposals to submit in this call.

Due to growing financial difficulties across Europe and funding restrictions, we may have fewer proposals approved. This means that there is the need for strong project proposals with a clear added-value and showing a positive impact for all participants.

Members’ ideas and inputs will be essential for EWF’s good performance in this call!