Overview
Reducing the Cost of Welder Training via Intelligent Video Tools (2013-450)
Project Team:
- Bollinger Shipyards
- Visible Welding
- Applied Thermal Sciences
- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
- Miller Electric
- Fronius USA
July 2013 - June 2016
NSRP ASE Investment: $1.09M
Industry Investment: $362K
Objective:
To improve the quality of welder education through use of a specialized video and recording and distribution system within the classroom environment.
Summary:
The current state of welding training programs in the shipbuilding industry consists of student ātrial and errorāĀ learning and are limited by the instructorsā available time, i.e., typically less than 10 minutes per student, per day. In addition to teaching the basics of how to weld, shipyards train in advanced techniques such as welding on scaffolding, welding out-of-position, how to weld on high-strength materials, how to weld on primed steel, etc.
This project seeks to provide a cost-effective, enhancement to welder training programs through the development of a shipyard-neutral, real-time, weld video system, in conjunction with a suggested usage to enhance a curriculum.Ā The approach will take established techniques from industrial and consumer video and modify them for the special needs of the intensity of the welding arc.Ā To allow a close-up view with hands-free operation, the cameras will be computer controlled to follow the arc while the student welds along the length of the test plate.
Anticipated benefits include:
- Reduced welder training time
- A deeper understanding of the weld process through visual images
- Reduction in man-hours (higher first-time quality welds)
Key Deliverables:
Point of Contact:
BrentĀ TompkinsĀ Bollinger Shipyards