Welding
The Welding Technology program provides students with training in oxy-acetylene cutting, AC/DC shielded metal arc welding, gouging, semi-automatic gas metal arc welding, flux core welding, and tungsten inert gas welding. Students start with planning and layout work, then progress to setting up and operating welding and cutting (Oxy-Fuel, and Plasma) equipment. The students learn Shielded metal arc as well as Mig solid wire, Flux core, and Tig welding in all positions. Some of the metals we weld with are Carbon Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Cast Iron, to name a few. Emphasis is placed on safety as well as blueprint reading, properties of metal, metal identification, type and use of electrodes, welding rods, electrical principles, and welding symbols.
The use of manuals, specification charts, and understanding of the welding standards established by the American Welding Society and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers are also stressed. Training in the planning, layout, forming, joining, and fabrication of various shapes in light and heavy gauge metal and pipe is provided. Students are exposed to the use of specialized hand tools, shears, forming and shaping machines, drill presses, and metal cutting saws. Inspection and testing processes as well as procedures are also demonstrated and explained.
The students will work on various projects throughout the time they are enrolled in the Welding program. We work on projects for the school, other teachers, students, outside customers, etc.
Program Expectations:
Nature of the Program - Welders may work alone or as part of a team of welders in a factory, building a bridge, or performing work on large objects. Welders in construction firms normally work outside and may be required to work on scaffolds, lifts, or platforms. They normally work 40+ hours a week and can work on any one of three shifts.
Topics of Study:
Safety in the workplace
Oxy-Fuel and Plasma Arc Cutting
Design and Fabrication
SMAW ( Stick Welding)
GMAW ( Mig welding with solid wire)
FCAW ( Flux core Mig Welding)
GTAW ( Tig Welding)
Welding Repair
Maintenance of Equipment
Sandblasting
Reading and Understanding Blueprints and Welding Symbols
Co-Op opportunities:
Pleasant Mountain Welding
Lockheed Martin
Main Technology
Tensley Design
Simplex Industries
Gumon Welding
Icon (Formerly Runco), etc.
Career Opportunities:
Millwrights
Pipeline Welders
Sheet Metal Workers
Boilermakers
Metal Sculptors
Welding Technicians
Combination Welder
Welding Instructor
Welding Analyst
Welder Fitter
Welding Operator
Welding Inspector
Welding Engineer
Welding Sales
Structural Steel Worker
Specialized Welder or Foreman
