Is it possible to learn how to weld on a high rise without climbing scaffolding or taking an elevator to the top? In this week’s welding round up, some students are taking their welding to another level without having to leave the shop.
Welding Simulator Expands Welding Job Training: Inside of a simulator mask “Conner Whitley, of Redfield, a first-year student in Mitchell Technical Institute’s new welding and advanced manufacturing technology program, is ‘welding’ in a virtual world he views through a special headset built into his mask. With a few
adjustments, he has his choice of welding on a military base in a desert environment, in a car shop, or on a skyscraper job site. ‘The high-tech simulator doesn’t replace hands-on welding,’ says instructor Travis Peterson, ‘but it’s a compelling and attractive introduction to various welding processes that meets students where they live.’”
Here’s the rest of the latest news from the welding world:
Welding Industry
New Welding Technique Helps Acura Integrate More Aluminum Into Its Cars: “Acura engineers have come up with a new welding technique that allows them to join ordinary steel components with lightweight aluminum pieces in a much simpler process than traditional methods. The key is a new ‘3D Lock Seam’ structure, where the steel and aluminum pieces are layered and hemmed together twice, preventing them from detaching.
In addition, the welding technique relies on the use of a special adhesive agent that assures the complete filling of any gap between the two pieces, helping to prevent corrosion.”
Welding Jobs
Virginia Congressman Praises Welding Company as Asset to Economy: “Congressman Robert Hurt was at the Southside Thursday to host an event at Averett University before taking a tour of Jarett Welding Company in Danville. The 5th District representative called the company an asset to Danville’s economy. He talked with employees about how lawmakers are hoping to create jobs in Virginia and tackle other challenges in the year ahead.”
Employers in Ohio Are Offering $8,000 to Train Welders: “People in search of a job and employers ready to hire skilled workers can benefit from a state program that
awards money for job training to companies that hire full-time workers. The effort, called On-the-Job Training program, awards up to $8,000 per hired employee based on a series of criteria. That criteria includes permanently hiring displaced workers or a person with a low income for a job with at least 32 hours of work each week, said Laura Kohlhorst-Jones, an Ohio Department of Job and Family Services workforce specialist.”
The White House Renews Its Commitment to Put Veterans Back to Work: “The Task Force forged partnerships with the five largest manufacturing credentialing bodies to provide opportunities for service members to gain industry-recognized, nationally-portable certifications for high-demand manufacturing jobs — including welding, machining, maintenance, and logistics — almost all of which have median hourly wages above the national average. These partnerships are currently being implemented at military bases across the country.”
Welding Education
Welding Class in Springfield, IL Targets Women: “The Capital Area Career Center and ILMO Products Company are offering a five-week welding class for women. The class is geared toward women who are interested in using welding in artwork, but it will also provide a good introduction for women interested in pursing a career in the field.”
New Welding Program Created in Tennessee: “The new Welding/Pipefitting Technology program at the Tennessee Technology Center at Dickson has achieved accreditation. The stamp of approval came from the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER). In the same approval, NCCER now includes TTC Dickson as an accredited training and education facility.”
Welding Students Bring Old Vehicles Back to Life: “Kim Nichols is in his 15th year as auto collision repair instructor at Cherokee County Career and Technology Center and his classes are currently working on some interesting projects, including restoration of a 1952 Chevrolet Pickup Truck, a 1969 Camaro and also newer cars which they are repairing or restoring.”
New Welding Class Ignites Interest in Welding: “The Virginia School of Metal is now open and accepting students. One of its first classes will be a 16 hour Introduction to Welding class held on Saturdays and Sundays. The first class will be held March 2 and 3 and will cost $375. It will cover the history of welding, how to use the equipment, safety precautions, and those who sign up will get a chance to put the flame to the metal and practice welding themselves. Each person will get to work on a piece of art to take home.”
Welding Team Takes Top Honors in Competition: “The Southern Oklahoma Technology Center welding fabrication team took home top honors as it hosted the annual regional competition. A team of three students is given a project to weld within a set time frame and are judged on how much of the project they complete, accuracy of the measurements and the precision of the welds. SOTC’s team managed to nearly complete their project, a table, and have it welded together.”
Welding Events
Weld Cracking Conference: “To find out what it takes to eliminate weld cracks, go out of your way to make plans to attend a new and different AWS Conference on Weld Cracking which will be held on March 26-27, 2013 in Las Vegas. The experts will be there, armed with solutions to many of your problems.”
Welding Gone Wrong
Welder Passes Away After Welding Accident: A young man passed away after “suffering second- and third-degree burns to more than 90 percent of his body in an explosion that happened during a welding job in Marion Station on Oct. 20.”
