INSPECTION

APRIL 2022

TRENDS
MAY 2022

THE MAGAZINE FOR MATERIALS INSPECTION AND TESTING PERSONNEL

NDE
School
Profiles
Computed and
Digital Radiography
Preconstruction
Meetings

IN THIS ISSUE: RIDGEWATER COLLEGE ■ CAST IRON REPAIRS ■ NEW NDE PRODUCTS
[ MAY 2022 | VOLUME 25 | NUMBER 2 ]

[ FEATURES ] [ DEPARTMENTS ]
16 Ridgewater College: Withstanding the Test
of Time
04

06
Editorial

News Bulletin
Discover this institution’s rich history, programs, faculty, 10 Product & Print Spotlight
alumni, and future.
Janet Meier 14 The Answer Is

30 School Profiles

36 Mark Your Calendar

22 The Importance of Preconstruction 38 Certification Schedule

Meetings 40 Classifieds
Why CWIs should regularly attend preconstruction meetings to
improve quality. Learn about preparing for a meeting and what 40 Advertiser Index
questions to ask.
James V. Bowen INSPECTION TRENDS (ISSN 1523-7168 Print) (ISSN 2689-0631
Online) is published quarterly by the American Welding Society.
Editorial and advertising offices are located at 8669 NW 36 St.,
#130, Miami, FL 33166; telephone (305) 443-9353. Printed by
LSC Communications, Liberty, MO. Subscriptions $40.00 per
year in the United States and its possessions; $60.00 per year in
foreign countries; $20.00 per year students; $10.00 single issue

26
for nonmembers; and $7.00 single issue for members. American

Overview of Computed and Digital Welding Society is located at 8669 NW 36 St., #130, Miami, FL 33166;
telephone (305) 443-9353. Periodicals postage paid in Miami, Fla.,

Radiography
and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to Inspection Trends c/o American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36
St., #130, Miami, FL 33166. Readers of Inspection Trends may make

The differences among using film-based radiography, copies of articles for personal, archival, educational, or research pur-
poses, and which are not for sale or resale. Permission is granted to

computed radiography, and digital radiography for quote from articles, provided customary acknowledgment of authors
and sources is made. Starred (*) items excluded from copyright.
nondestructive examination. AWS MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the American Welding
Society is to advance the science, technology, and application of

David Bajula welding and allied joining processes worldwide, including brazing,
soldering, and thermal spraying.

16 22
COVER PHOTO:
Student Danielle Clayton of
Hutchinson, Minn., gathers ultrasonic
data for her job sheet. (Credit:
Ridgewater College.)
 EDITORIAL

Are We Ready to Ensure PUBLISHER: Annette Alonso

Infrastructure Is Rebuilt Better? aalonso@aws.org

EDITOR: Carlos Guzman

It’s no surprise that the American Society of Civil cguzman@aws.org
Engineers (ASCE) report card for America’s infra-
structure (infrastructurereportcard.org) is not one
[ EDITORIAL ]
to be proud of currently. ASCE evaluates the state of
America’s infrastructure in 17 categories, applying a MANAGING EDITOR: Kristin Campbell
school-report-card style, A-through-F grading system. kcampbell@aws.org
The report card also includes recommendations to raise SENIOR EDITOR: Cindy Weihl
BY STEVEN SNYDER the grades. cweihl@aws.org
In 2022, various sources are reporting more than 1500 bridge rehabilita- ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Katie Pacheco
tion and repair projects already being let for bid or awarded. Louisiana alone
kpacheco@aws.org
is set to receive $1 billion over the next five years to improve 400 bridges
throughout the state as part of the Bridge Formula Program included in the ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Alexandra Quiñones
$1.2-trillion bipartisan infrastructure package. This is but a speck of sand on the aquinones@aws.org
beach for what is forthcoming or already in progress throughout the United States. EDUCATION EDITOR: Roline Pascal
So much of the conversation in the past few years is about the lack of skilled trades rpascal@aws.org
personnel available for contracting, fabrication, erection, and the construction and
manufacturing industries. However, the shortage of personnel in quality assurance [ DESIGN & PRODUCTION ]
and control, welding, nondestructive examination, and inspection is not often dis-
cussed to the same extent or brought to the center of those discussions. MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL & DESIGN:
Carlos Guzman
Consequently, does the United States have a solid pool of qualified and certified
cguzman@aws.org
technical personnel to assure quality conformance on the numerous infrastructure
and rehabilitation projects over the next several years? For example, there may be PRODUCTION MANAGER: Zaida Chavez
several AWS Certified Welding Inspectors available for projects or assignments; zaida@aws.org
however, there may be many who have never worked specifically in the bridge fabri- ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER:
cation industry or applying the AASHTO/AWS D1.5, Bridge Welding Code, or Federal Brenda Flores
Highway Administration and state-specific Department of Transportation spec- bflores@aws.org
ifications, for that matter. There will be major increases in low-carbon hydrogen
pipeline projects, and positions in 2022 are in a crucial time for progressing final
[ ADVERTISING ]
investment and construction decisions, as noted by the Pipeline & Gas Journal in
February 2022 (pgjonline.com/news). MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES:
This means it may now be a prime time for experienced welders to transition into Lea Owen
the inspection side of the industry and the best time to seek these type of opportu- lea@aws.org
nities. It’s also an opportunity for those current inspectors to expand the skill set, Scott Beller
training, and certification that may place them in another industry, or a supervision sbeller@aws.org
or management role. Certainly, there will be numerous opportunities for in-situ
nondestructive examination for assessment of structures, shop fabrication inspec- SUBSCRIPTIONS REPRESENTATIVE:
tions for new and replacement structures, and in-field structure rehabilitation-site Marandi Gills
construction monitoring, along with multiple welder and procedure qualifications mgills@aws.org
required.
AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY
One approach for recruiting could be for welding educators to identify students who
stand out and help accelerate their careers in welding, fabrication, and inspection. 8669 NW 36 St., #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672
(800/305) 443-9353
I encourage those in similar roles to discuss with students the many opportunities
available in a career in the welding field. Although it is important to attract and COPYRIGHT
recruit people to reduce the shortage of welding personnel, it is equally important Copyright © 2022 by American Welding Society in both printed and
to ensure that competent, trained, qualified, and certified personnel perform the electronic formats. The Society is not responsible for any statements
made or opinion expressed herein. Data and information developed
quality conformance of the work to project specifications and standards, so both by the authors of specific articles are for informational purposes only

the safety and the integrity of the structures are properly supervised, inspected,
and documented. IT
STEVEN SNYDER (ssnyder@aws.org) is the staff welding specialist at AWS.
and are not intended for use without independent, substantiating
investigation on the part of potential users.
AWS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
AWS values diversity, advocates equitable and inclusive practices,
and engages its members and stakeholders in establishing a culture
in the welding community that welcomes, learns from, and celebrates
differences among people. AWS recognizes that a commitment to
diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to achieving excellence
for the Association, its members, and employees.

4 | INSPECTION TRENDS
 NEWS BULLETIN

Penn College Adds NDT Welding Scientific Solutions Business Splits

Degree from Olympus

Olympus Corp., Tokyo, Japan, separated its Scientific Solu-

tions business to a wholly owned subsidiary, Evident Corp. The
proposed split was first announced in June 2021. As a newly
established subsidiary, Evident, headquartered in Japan, con-
tinues to operate independently under the Olympus umbrella.
The Scientific Solutions business encompassed the compa-
ny’s Industrial and Life Science businesses. The reorganization
will give the Scientific Solutions business the autonomy and
agility to respond quickly and more flexibly to customers.
Pennsylvania College of Technology welding and “Evident . . . will expand its digital and cloud-based solutions
fabrication engineering technology students Gavin to enhance the customer experience and to improve the overall
W. Young (seated) and (standing left to right) Jesiah workflow in the research and inspection fields,” said Yoshitake
J. Baskin, Jamison B. Leiss, and Nathan S. Stevenson Saito, Evident president and representative director. “We will
calibrate an ultrasonic testing machine in the college’s shift from a business model centered on the sale of products to
NDT lab. one focused on solving customer issues and challenges. With
this greater management autonomy, we will promote agile
Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pa., is product development and open innovation, which we believe
providing a career pathway in inspection with an associate will increase the speed of product development.”
degree in nondestructive testing (NDT). Offered for the first
time this fall, the two-year program will combine hands-on
welding experience in the college’s 55,000-sq-ft lab with
exposure to several NDT processes, including ultrasonic and
radiographic testing.
“We have offered NDT classes since the mid-1980s, but
AWS Hosts CWI Seminar
we felt a degree was the next logical step in growing the
college’s welding program,” explained Instructor Michael J.
Nau. “Weld inspection, quality assurance, and NDT go hand in
hand. Industry is asking for more trained NDT professionals.”
Nau and James N. Colton II, assistant professor of welding,
developed the new major’s curriculum as well as two NDT
competency credentials for current professionals. They were
backed by a three-year, $600,000 National Science Foun-
dation grant devoted to advanced technology education in
fields that drive the economy.
“There is a shortage of training programs despite strong
industry demand for NDT technicians. Our new degree
addresses both of those realities,” said Bradley M. Webb,
The attendees of the AWS CWI nine-year
dean of engineering technologies. “It will prepare students recertification seminar pose for a photo.
for excellent careers rooted in diverse industries like manu-
facturing, aerospace, construction, and aviation.”
Exposure to a variety of testing processes and practical AWS held a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) nine-year
welding experience will be hallmarks of the new NDT major recertification seminar Feb. 13–18 in San Diego, Calif. The
at Penn College, according to Nau. seminar was taught by James Greer, Certified Welding
Educator, Senior CWI, and president of Techno-Weld Con-
“Certain welding processes have specific flaws associated
sultants.
with them. The students will be able to identify these flaws,
evaluate them, and pass or fail them using various NDT pro- The attendees of the class included the following: Jan R.
cesses,” he said. “Students’ classroom and training hours for Buseman, Robert Bustamante, Tim Byres, Cesar Calderon,
each NDT process will also count toward their ASNT certifica- Steve E. Deane, David L. Eyth, Richard L. Hanny, Craig
tion. We feel that this will give students a definite advantage Andrew Hewitt, Silvia D. Jacinto De La Paz, Sung Kang,
going into industry.” Michael S. Lavelle, John R. Lovely, Gregorio G. Martinez,
Robert C. Morales, Alberto M. Sandoval, Ryan M. Seymour,
Anticipated job titles for graduates include NDT technician,
Denny Streed, Fredrik Nils Thorsen, Brian Warner, Barrett
phased array/ultrasonic testing inspector, quality control
E. Wilson, and Peter Wong.
technician, and assistant radiographer.

6 | INSPECTION TRENDS
 [ NEWS BULLETIN ]

Workshop Teaches Welder and

Welding Procedure Qualification

Instructors of the Welding Qualification Workshop

– Best Practices 2022 (from left): Walt Sperko, Dr.
Richard D. Campbell, Lynn Sturgill, Scott Witkowski,
and Mike Rice. (Photo courtesy of Lynn Sturgill.)

AWS held the Welding Qualification Workshop – Best Prac-

tices 2022 April 11–13 at Miller Electric, Houston, Tex. During
the three-day workshop, presenters answered the who, what,
why, and how of Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQs)
and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPSs), focusing on
the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section
IX. The speakers were Richard Campbell, Bechtel fellow and
welding technical specialist; Mike Rice, retired senior corporate

MAY 2022 | 7
 welding engineer, Nooter Corp.; Walter J. Sperko, president,
Sperko Engineering Services Inc.; Lynn Sturgill, owner/opera-
tor, Sturgill Welding & Code Consulting; and Scott Witkowski,
vice president, Republic Testing Laboratories.
The event featured classroom lectures and live demon-
strations of coupon welding; test specimen removal and
preparation; tension, bend, and Charpy impact testing;
evaluation of the test results; and generation of the WPQs,
Procedure Qualification Record(s) (PQRs), and WPSs. Attend-
ees received the following with registration: ASME BPVC,
Section IX, Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications, 2021
Edition; AWS D1.1:2020, Structural Welding Code — Steel;
and 24 professional development hours upon completion.

UTComp Announces Certification

Program for UltraAnalytix®
Inspection Personnel
UTComp Inc., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, a global fiber-
reinforced plastic (FRP) composites engineering and inspec-
tion company, has established a certification program for
UltraAnalytix inspection personnel that complies with the
requirements of the ASNT Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A,
Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive
Testing.
UltraAnalytix is a patented and nonintrusive, nondestruc-
tive examination system for assessing the condition of FRP

8 | INSPECTION TRENDS
composite materials. The certification program for the sys-
tem’s inspection personnel is certified by a third-party NDT
Level III professional, said Geoff Clarkson, UTComp founder
and chief technical officer.
According to Clarkson, “It enables UTComp’s inspectors
and engineers to be certified to perform UltraAnalytix inspec-
tions that meet the highest standards for data acquisition to
ensure reliable analysis and results for FRP composite assets.”

DÜRR NDT Receives Award for

Software
Frost & Sullivan recognized DÜRR NDT, Bietigheim-Bissin-
gen, Germany, with the 2021 NDT Workflow Management
Software New Product Innovation award for its DRIVE NDT
software. The management and reporting system digitizes and
streamlines components of the nondestructive examination
workflow, including order entry, inspection, report genera-
tion, approval, billing, and archiving on a single platform. It
helps employees working in different departments coordinate
efficiently and managers stay up-to-date on current sales
volumes or inspection orders.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the com-
pany that has developed an innovative element in a product
by leveraging leading-edge technologies.
The award recognizes the value-added features/benefits
of the product and the increased return on investment it gives
customers. IT

MAY 2022 | 9
 PRODUCT & PRINT SHOWCASE
Compact Nonglass Detector
Enables High-Speed Imaging
The HPX-DR 2530 PC nonglass detector delivers faster through-
put for imaging as well as rapid analysis and reporting. Its durable
design is built for the tough conditions of nondestructive exam-
ination, especially portable radiography. With a resolution of 145
µm, the unit provides highly detailed imaging. Its compact size of
250 x 300 mm (9.8 x 11.8 in.) and thin profile of 14.7 mm (0.58 in.)
enable imaging in confined areas. The nonglass design is claimed to
eliminate expensive and time-consuming repairs while increasing
utilization, uptime, and productivity. The detector comes with tung-
sten shielding, allowing a higher cumulative dose while preserving
image quality and increasing panel life and usage. It is compatible
with INDUSTREX digital viewing software and comes with a two-year
warranty.
Carestream NDT
carestream.com
10 | INSPECTION TRENDS
Weld Scanner Allows Inspection
in Tight Quarters
The NAVIC weld scanner tracks welds circumferentially or lon-
gitudinally on ferrous surfaces with up to six probes. Users can
follow welds with this steerable, remote-operated unit that’s
equipped with magnetic wheels for easy vertical and inverted
weld inspection. Various probe holder frames expand weld scan-
ning possibilities, from low profile for restricted access to spiral
welds and long joint inspection. The product can circumnavigate
pipes as small as 7 cm (2.75 in.) O.D. and requires only 7 cm of
radial clearance. Drive paths can be programmed from up to
30 m (98 ft) away using the intuitive handheld remote control,
which also provides system diagnostics. Designed to handle
intense tasks and challenging environments, the unit has a three-
year warranty.
JIREH Industries
jireh.com
Flaw Detector Improves PA and
TFM Imaging
The OmniScan™ X3 64 is a 64-channel flaw detector with the
pulser capacity to drive phased array (PA) probes with a larger
number of elements, increasing the data acquisition speed for total
focusing method (TFM) imaging. It’s claimed to process TFM images
up to four times as fast as its predecessor, the OmniScan X3 32:128,
and is as portable, measuring 335 x 221 x 151 mm (13.2 x 8.7 x 5.9
in.) and weighing 5.7 kg (12.6 lb). The unit’s 1 TB of onboard storage
should allow inspectors to stay on-site longer and perform bigger
scans without transferring data. The 64-element aperture PA and
128-element aperture TFM enable optimization of advanced Dual
Linear Array™ and Dual Matrix Array™ probes. Accommodating
lower-frequency probes, the flaw detector can increase penetration
in attenuative materials while reducing signal saturation. These
improved detection capabilities assist monitoring for early-stage
flaws, such as high-temperature hydrogen attack.
Olympus® Corp.
olympus-ims.com
 [ PRODUCT & PRINT SHOWCASE ]

Inspection Lamps Add GoPro

discharge circuit to allow the light to perform in all environments,
regardless of ambient conditions. Also corded, the C4 Magnum-GO
Compatibility (gas and oil) integrates both UV-A and white light emitters for critical
indication verification in inspection environments. The cordless C4
Nomad is powered by the Milwaukee M18 battery pack, allowing the
The C4 Magnum, C4 Mag- operator to choose the optimal amp/hour battery best suited for their
num-GO, C4 Nomad, and C4 continuous-use application, while the C4 Nomad-GO has an addi-
Nomad- G o handheld LED tional visible spectrum emitter.
UV-A inspection lamps inte-
REL Inc.
grate with the GoPro HERO9™ relinc.com
camera via the SNAPSHOT-UV
for nondestructive examination
image recording. The lamps are
designed for all power and inten-
Portable Flat Panel Detector
sity prerequisites of fluorescent Inspects Corrosion and Erosion
penetr ant inspec tion and
magnetic particle inspection
The DRC 3643 NDT is a flat panel detector for industrial digital radi-
as well as many leak detection
ography. With an active area of 36 x 43 cm (14.2 x 16.9 in.) and weight
applications in the aerospace,
of 14.55 lb, the detector is suited for corrosion and erosion inspec-
automotive, defense, energy,
tions on pipes in compliance with DIN EN ISO 20769, Non-destructive
and medical industries. The
testing — Radiographic inspection of corrosion and deposits in pipes
corded C4 Magnum contains
by X- and gamma rays, and for use with energies up to 350 kV thanks
a single high-flux LED UV emit-
to its integrated shielding. With a pixel pitch of 140 µm, the detec-
ter with a built-in static-electric
tor balances resolution and sensitivity for popular nondestructive

MAY 2022 | 11
 examination applications. It
can also be used in other fields
of x-ray inspections, such as
concrete inspections in bridge
construction, inspections of
art objects or archaeologi-
cal finds, and fault analysis of
components or buildings. The
unit features a dust-tight and
waterproof aluminum housing
for operation in harsh environ-
ments. In wireless mode, the hot
swap function permits battery
change while the device is run-
ning. Data is transmitted over
a wireless network, and two
screw-on antennas ensure a wide range and stable connection.
Data transmission and power supply are also possible by cable.
DURR NDT
duerr-ndt.com
probes are also compatible with the Zetec MIZ-28 and are designed
for inspecting straight-length nonferrous tubing. The RFT probes

ECT, RFT, and NFT Probes Test
Tubing
Eddy current testing (ECT), remote field testing (RFT), and near field
testing (NFT) probes inspect tubing commonly found in oil and gas heat
exchangers, condensers, reboilers, and air coolers. The probes all utilize
general-purpose bobbin pickup coils and are compatible with the
Eddyfi Ectane ® and Olympus Multiscan MS5800 ® ER. The ECT
feature switchable dual exciters with their bobbin pickup coils and
are made for inspecting straight-length ferrous tubing. NFT probes
inspect straight-length ferrous fin-fan/air cooler tubing. The probes
are available at the Pine Environmental’s Deer Park, Tex., location.
Additional Pine locations will start stocking the probes throughout
this year.
Pine Environmental Services
pine-environmental.com

12 | INSPECTION TRENDS
 THE ANSWER IS
BY ALBERT J. MOORE JR.
Q I have a problem
that isn’t related to
a welding code, but
I hope it is something you
can help me with. We are a
small shop that specializes
in equipment repair. We
have a job that requires
us to weld cast iron, and I
was wondering what the
best way is to weld it. Any
recommendations?
A
I’m not an expert at welding
cast iron, but I have performed
several successful repairs over
the years when I was burning rods for a
living. In several cases, a customer had
attempted to repair the castings with a
nickel rod using the shielded metal arc
welding (SMAW) process. The repairs
would hold for a while, but in the end,
the repairs would fail. I used oxyacet-
ylene to torch weld the castings. The
repairs were successful, and I know one
is still working after 20-plus years of
service in a printing press.
Like any repair, the first step is to clean
the parts to remove any rust, grease,
remaining weld, etc. Then, if possible,
figure out the type of casting you’re deal-
ing with, for example, white, gray, ductile,
etc. The difference in the types of cast
irons includes the amount of carbon they
contain. Additionally, the heat treatment
or cooling rates usually factor in the type
of cast iron you end up with. Fast cooling
will typically produce a white cast iron.
It is hard, wear resistant, and brittle. A
gray cast iron is cooled a little slower, and
the carbon comes out of solution to form
platelets of graphite. It isn’t as hard or
brittle as a white cast iron. Ductile iron,
also known as malleable cast iron, is
inoculated with magnesium or calcium
and held at high temperature for a day
or two to allow the carbon to come out
of solution as round nodules. If you hit
ductile iron with a sledgehammer, it will
dent. High-quality machinists’ vises are
made from ductile iron. They look like
any other cast iron, but they will hold up
14 | INSPECTION TRENDS
to hard use without breaking. A stroke of
a file will give an indication of whether
the casting is white cast iron; the file will
skate over the surface. Whereas, if it’s a
gray cast iron or ductile iron, the file will
bite into the iron casting easily.
The amount of carbon is always on
the high side in cast iron. Cast iron typ-
ically has more than 13/4% up to about
3% carbon. If it isn’t welded with the
proper precautions, the resulting weld
will be hard and brittle, or it can crack
while cooling to ambient temperature.
I used to preheat the casting in my
electric oven. I put the cleaned and
prepared parts into the oven and set it
on the self-cleaning mode, which was
around 700⁰F. It would stink up the
entire house. I’m lucky my wife kept
me around! Sidebar: It’s times like this
and while bear hunting with your spouse
that it is to your advantage to be able
to outrun them.
Then I set up the parts up for weld-
ing. I used a fixture to hold the parts
in proper alignment. I would bring the
entire casting up to temperature, fixture
and all, to about 1000⁰F. After that, I was
ready to torch weld the assembly. I used
a cast iron rod. I sprinkled black flux on
the joint, heated the end of the welding
rod, and dipped the hot end of the weld-
ing rod into the flux as if I was brazing. I
heated the joint until I had a molten weld
pool. Keep in mind, cast iron melts at a
lower temperature than carbon steel.
The higher the carbon content, the lower
the melting temperature. I dipped the
end of the flux-coated rod into the weld
pool and gave it a little stir to keep the
weld pool agitated.
Once the joint was welded, the part
was placed into and covered by a burn-
ing bed of charcoal. I let it cook until the
charcoal burned itself out and the part
was cooled to ambient temperature.
Depending on the size of the casting,
I would light up a 10-lb bag of char-
coal, or several bags of charcoal, while
the parts were heating in the electric
range. By the time I was done welding,
the charcoal was burning nicely. It took
several hours for the fire to burn itself
out and cool to ambient temperature.
The temperature was hot enough to
prevent a hard, brittle microstructure
from forming, or, at least, it allowed the
parts to cool slowly to prevent cracking.
I know some people like to use nick-
el-based SMAW electrode to repair cast
iron, but I’ve never seen a case where
the repair had any longevity.
Braze welding is another alternative,
but even then, high preheat and very
slow cooling was key to a successful
repair. I’ve used braze welding on sev-
eral repairs, such as a pump housing
that cracked when the water froze. It’s
an alternative that might be a little more
forgiving than oxyacetylene welding.
More importantly, don’t try to hurry
the process. It’s important to be patient.
I hope you are successful. IT
The Society is not responsible for any statements
made or opinions expressed herein. Data and infor-
mation developed by the authors are for specific
informational purposes only and are not intended
for use without independent, substantiating inves-
tigation on the part of potential users.
ALBERT J. MOORE JR. (amoore999@
comcast.net) is president and owner of
NAVSEA Solutions/Marion Testing &
Inspection, Burlington, Conn. He is an AWS
Senior Certified Welding Inspector and an
ASNT NDT Level III. He is also a member
of the AWS Qualification & Certification
Committee on Methods of Inspection.
Follow AWS on
Social Media
Facebook: Find us at
facebook.com/
americanweldingsociety.
Instagram: Look at our photos
@americanweldingsociety.
YouTube: Watch our videos at
youtube.com/videoaws.
 FEATURE
Student Danielle Clayton of Hutchinson, Minn.,
gathers ultrasonic data for her job sheet.

Ridgewater College:
WITHSTANDING
THE TEST OF TIME
Ridgewater College in Hutchinson, Minn., has been an epicenter for
nondestructive examination education for more than half a century
with extensive hands-on education, state-of-the-art lab facilities, and
cutting-edge industry equipment.
BY JANET MEIER

Pherigo developed the first NDT training program at what

ORIGINS
While working as a welding instructor at the then Hutchin-
son Area Vocational Technical Institute in 1971, George
Pherigo recognized the need for formalized nondestruc-
tive examination (NDE/NDT) education. Industry needed
employees who knew several inspection methods to detect
internal and external imperfections or defects in everything
from planes, trains, and automobiles to bridges, pipelines,
and roller coasters. Application of the scientific principles
helps determine the structure, composition, and properties
and helps measure characteristics without affecting the form,
fit, or function.
is now Ridgewater College, Hutchinson Campus — the largest
NDT training facility in the nation.
INDUSTRY TIES
Opportunities abound for students. They learn about
potential employers through presentations, on-campus
interviews, personal research, and equipment donations from
industry partners. Students may end up interning for or work-
ing with such industry leaders as Boeing Aircraft in Illinois,
the United States Navy in Washington, Pratt and Whitney of

16 | INSPECTION TRENDS

Minn.,
Connecticut and Georgia, General Electric in North Carolina,
Phoenix National Labs in Arizona, NASA Space Center in
Florida, or multistate and international organizations such
as Acuren Inspection, TEAM Industrial, and Mistras. Some
graduates choose to stay right in Minnesota at Curtiss-Wright
in Hutchinson, Element in St. Paul, or at other local facilities.
“We have three Ridgewater grads on staff at Cirrus, and
all three are top performers,” said industry partner Mike
Hassebrock, nondestructive inspection engineer for Cirrus
Aircraft of Duluth, Minn.
To help keep the program and its graduates current with
industry standards and partners, Ridgewater faculty collab-
orates with a committed advisory board with members from
various states and industries.
“I am excited to be on the advisory board because I see
it as an opportunity to help prepare the next generation of
NDT professionals,” said board member Hassebrock. “One of
Ridgewater’s greatest strengths is its ties to industry. Those
ties ensure that the program is adequately preparing students
for life after school. Cooperation like this strengthens our
profession at all levels.”
Many partners come directly to campus to share real-world
possibilities and often conduct interviews with students.
Acuren Vice President and 1983 Ridgewater alum Jim
Gustafson of Texas just visited Ridgewater in late March.
He shared how his own interview experience of just a few
minutes turned into first-job excitement. He’s been with the
company ever since.
In addition to the many individual business and industry
partners that students access and learn from, Ridgewater
Nicholas Holliday of Norwood Young America, Minn.,
practices phased array ultrasonic testing.
[ RIDGEWATER COLLEGE ]
NDE INSPECTION COURSES
Basic and Advanced Liquid Penetrant Inspection:
covering various penetrant materials and proper tech-
niques for reliable inspection
Basic and Advanced Radiographic Inspection:
addressing radiation safety, radiography fundamentals,
radiation measurements, imaging, film characteristics,
processing, quality, interpretation, radioisotopes, x-ray
machines, and inspection of welds and castings
Computerized Radiography: covering digitized radio-
graphic systems, which are faster than traditional
radiography
Basic and Advanced Ultrasonic Inspection: including
sound wave propagation, terms, calibration methods,
flaw detection and interpretation, and introduction to
phased array
Phased Array Ultrasonic Inspection: covering the
basics of phased array calibration and inspection
Basic and Advanced Eddy Current Inspection: oper-
ating eddy current machines popular for use in inspec-
tion of nonferrous items, materials used extensively in
the aerospace industry, and tubing in heat exchangers
used in numerous industries as well as determination
of coating thickness
Basic and Advanced Magnetic Particle Inspection:
applying electromagnetism to understand magnetic
fields, flaw detection, and interpretation
MAY 2022 | 17
 FEATURE
Recent welding graduates and now NDT students Devin Schauer
and Michael Dietz inspect the inside of a pressure vessel trainer
using a radiographic camera.
College is also an active partner with industry organizations
such as ASNT, the American Welding Society (AWS), the
Central Minnesota Manufacturer’s Association (CMMA),
and the Minnesota Precision Manufacturer’s Association
(MPMA), for example.
THE ACADEMIC PATH TO SUCCESS
Ridgewater’s two-year, 64-credit AAS degree and diploma
programs offer a mix of self-paced, flexible coursework along
with structured deadlines for lab job sheets to help reinforce
accountability. This format helps prepare students for the
real world, which requires balancing demands and meeting
deadlines.
Inspecting metal welds, parts, and samples becomes
second nature for Ridgewater students as they work their
way through the courses (see sidebar on page 17).
“It’s a very realistic training experience all the way
through,” said 2017 alumni Rob Sheets. After graduation,
he conducted pipeline weld inspections using radiography to
verify compliance with specifications. He then transitioned
to contract work for Phoenix National Laboratories, where
he evaluates electrical generation service components and
18 | INSPECTION TRENDS
By the time they graduate, students
are well versed in theory and
application and ready to hit the
ground running.
documents inspection results to determine if they can remain
in service for another five to ten years.
The student experience with quality control is solid not
only because of extensive hands-on testing of lab materials
from aerospace, construction, pipeline, and nuclear power
partners but also because just down the hall is Ridgewater’s
welding program.
“Having our students exposed to various welding processes
helps students obtain a better understanding of those pro-
cesses and the flaws associated with each process,” said
Walt Asmus, Ridgewater NDT instructor. “Weld inspection
is a major function of NDT, and this exposure to welding
processes is invaluable in student development. By the
time they graduate, students are well versed in theory and
application and ready to hit the ground running.”
John Travis, a Ridgewater welding instructor, works weekly
with the NDE students who are required to take an eight-week
Fundamentals of Welding course. To introduce students to
common welding processes used in today’s industry, the
course covers joining methods, shielding gases, filler rods
and wires, electrodes, power supplies, equipment and
safety practices, equipment set-up and operation, safety,
and welding procedures. These students radiograph their
welds to examine the quality of their work.
“Taking a beginning welding course certainly opens
students’ eyes to how easily some flaws like incomplete
fusion and porosity can occur, but it also helps our welding
students to know NDT inspectors who can use x-ray and the
other inspection methods to test the quality of their work as
well,” Travis said. It’s a two-way street that bridges education
and confidence.
Thanks to the bridge, Travis has some graduates who pursue
a double major with NDT to develop a marketable combo skill
set that some employers prefer. Students Michael Dietz of
Glencoe, Minn., and Devin Schauer of Hamburg, Minn., are
doing just that and are confident about their futures.
“It is so fascinating to see and do all these different inspec-
tion techniques, not just for inspecting welds and metal but
plastics, circuit boards, and other composite materials,” Dietz
explained. “The welding program has helped me a lot, espe-
cially when I am inspecting welds — knowing the different
parts of the weld and what might cause discontinuities. I like
that I will have two majors, so I am not bound to one thing; I
can go into either a welding or NDT profession.”
Ridgewater’s partnership with AWS has helped the college
become one of only three accredited test facilities in Min-
nesota. The welding and NDE faculty helps students learn
 [ RIDGEWATER COLLEGE ]

about the procedures needed to not only qualify under a

specific process but also have the opportunity to earn their
AWS Welding Certification. The college partners with regional
businesses and industries to review their welding processes
and compare the processes against the appropriate industry
standards. Ridgewater also certifies welders from those
companies and the general public.

FACULTY IMPACT
The NDE faculty delivers comprehensive preparation and
experiences for students to tackle just about anything the
inspection industry might demand. For students to become
the well-rounded graduates that employers seek, they also
study leak testing, blueprint reading, composites, nuclear
reactors, infrared inspections, applied physics, NDE geometry
and trigonometry, and more.
Instructor Asmus teams up with three other faculty — Jerry
Voelker, Mindy Rannow-Kurkosky, and Sheldon Mackinnon.
All the instructors have a variety of experiences, contributing
to the program’s depth.
“I believe we serve our students best by helping them
gain a firm understanding of the principles behind each of
the basic NDT methods,” Asmus explained. “Being able to

Instructor Mindy Rannow-Kurkosky helps

Angeles Weibel of Glencoe, Minn., studies the microstructure of
J. J. Jiang of Rogers, Minn., run calculations
metal samples with a microscope.
to determine x-ray shot times.

provide real-world applications of the inspections they are

learning helps students understand the ‘why’ of what they are
learning. Students acquire extensive hands-on experience
with various equipment on a wide variety of flaw samples.”
A particularly unique aspect of Ridgewater’s NDT program
is the opportunity students have to work with actual radioac-
tive sources under the guidance of a licensed radiographer.
Students learn various radiographic techniques commonly
used in the field that are not possible with traditional x-ray
tubes. They also learn firsthand the importance of radiation
safety and the use of related tools.
When the first female instructor joined the NDE faculty
in 2016, gender doors opened wide in the male-dominated
program. Suddenly, female students had a role model to
visualize their success better.

The program prepares students for exciting

and fulfilling careers in NDT quality control,
quality assurance, research and development,
safety, and equipment sales.

MAY 2022 | 19
 FEATURE
“Women are attracted to NDT for some of the same reasons
that men are — a great career, good pay, and endless opportu-
nities within the NDT field,” said instructor Rannow-Kurkosky.
Katie Sheets is a 2017 graduate who found NDE a great fit
for her. “I was always interested in the makeup of things and
tinkering — the hows and the whys, kind of the investigative
side of life and its research,” she said.
Bronte Carpenter moved from Port St. Lucie, Fla., to
Hutchinson to pursue NDE training because she wanted a
unique career path. “I discovered Ridgewater College when
researching the top schools for NDT degrees,” Carpenter
explained. “I chose Ridgewater specifically because it had a
lot of opportunities for hands-on experience in the lab and
a wide variety of testing methods I could learn.”
NDE TRENDS AND THE MISSION
AHEAD
The Ridgewater College NDE program strives to maintain
its reputation for training excellence by ensuring students
experience and master as many inspection methods as
possible on industry’s most current equipment. Thanks to
committed faculty and generous industry partners, both are
possible.
The faculty sees that students are motivated by a steady
workforce demand coupled with eager, generous industry
An overview of
Ridgewater’s
training lab.
20 | INSPECTION TRENDS
partners who interview right at Ridgewater. It’s not uncom-
mon for many students to have jobs before they graduate,
reinforcing the longtime trend of a 97–100% graduate job
placement. The program prepares students for exciting and
fulfilling careers in NDE quality control, quality assurance,
research and development, safety, and equipment sales.
Recently the faculty has enjoyed seeing is an influx of more
traditional-aged students younger than 25. Word is getting
out about the unique careers.
Another trend has been a steadily increasing industry focus
on phased array ultrasonic testing. To address this increased
interest, Ridgewater College has modified its curriculum
to include even more phased array theory and hands-on
exercises and has steadily increased the number of phased
array instruments available in the NDE program.
“People who like to tinker, welders, anybody interested in
shop, anybody who likes to work with their hands — this is the
field to get into,” Rob Sheets shared. “The pay is excellent,
the benefits are excellent, and it’s awesome to move around,
see different things, work with different people, and gain
different experiences.” IT
JANET MEIER ( janet.meier@ridgewater.edu) is the marketing
specialist at Ridgewater College, Hutchinson, Minn. For more
information about Ridgewater College, visit ridgewater.edu/ndt.
 FEATURE

The Importance of
PRECONSTRUCTION
MEETINGS

Why CWIs should regularly attend preconstruction meetings to

improve quality

S
BY JAMES V. BOWEN

uccessful projects are built on a foundation of
effective communication. For Certified Welding
Inspectors (CWIs), that process often begins at
the preconstruction meeting. A well-attended,
well-run preconstruction meeting can set the job
on a path to success. A construction team that communicates
well, understands one another’s roles, and works collabo-
ratively can overcome obstacles and accomplish the job.
A POWERFUL TOOL FOR CWI S
I have worked as an inspector for the better part of two
decades. Over that time, the need for preconstruction
meetings has only gotten stronger. The internet and digital
technology have boosted construction scheduling to warp
speed. Also, materials and designs have become more
complex, and codebooks keep getting thicker.
One thing that hasn’t changed is that other than the CWI,
no one else seems to know exactly what the CWI is supposed
to be doing. Some superintendents may know a little about
bolt installation but nothing about nondestructive examina-
tion (NDE). An erector may know a lot about weld inspection
but not understand what constitutes as a good shear stud
inspection. Because of this, structural steel preconstruction
meetings can be a powerful tool for the CWI. At no other time
in a project will you have the undivided attention of so many
key stakeholders on the project.

22 | INSPECTION TRENDS
 [ PRECONSTRUCTION MEETINGS ]

AT THE MEETING
Once you have done the document review and made the
necessary visual aids, you are ready for the meeting. If the
above information is not in the project file, then you will need
to visit the site on a date prior to the meeting or arrive early
to review the drawings and specifications available in the
contractor’s trailer.
Remember, you are generally the most knowledgeable
person in the meeting concerning the structural steel inspec-
tions. When the meeting arrives at the point where quality
assurance (QA) inspection is discussed, you should have a
lot to say.

The internet and digital technology

have boosted construction
scheduling to warp speed.

Observation of structural
steel erection.

PREPARING FOR A MEETING

Inspectors should arrive to meetings prepared and with a plan. Here are a few tasks to do prior to arrival:

1. Carefully review the project drawings and specifications:

Note the building’s risk category

Review the statement of special inspections
Note if there are any complete joint penetration (CJP) welds requiring ultrasound testing (UT)
Note if the bolts are snug tightened, pretensioned, or slip critical
Note if any requirements in the documents differ from standard requirements provided in American Institute
of Steel Construction (AISC) 360, Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, or AWS D1.1, Structural Welding
Code — Steel.

2. Make a hard copy of the inspection tables in AISC 360, Chapter N, and bring it to the meeting.

MAY 2022 | 23
 FEATURE

In-process observation of
field-welded CJP column
splice.

Without a preconstruction meeting, this item is often

QUESTIONS TO ASK AT THE MEETING missed, and by the time of your first visit, it’s too late
to check.
1. When is the start date for erection? Discuss when the
Are there CJP moment welds? You will want to look
first visit should occur. Many factors can affect when
at joint fitup prior to any welding occurring.
the initial visit occurs that others in the meeting have
not considered.
2. If the building is risk category III or IV, are they aware
Are there pretensioned bolts? You may want to perform
of the 100% testing requirement for any CJP moment
preinstallation testing early before they get too far
welds?
along with erecting the steel.
Are there any slip-critical bolted connections? In
3. Check if the statement of special inspections (SSI)
addition to preinstallation testing, you will need to
differs from the AISC 360 requirements and get clari-
verify that the faying surfaces of connected plies are
fication on the discrepancy. The SSI takes precedence
free of paint and meet slip-critical requirements.
over other project documents, but I have encountered
engineers who weren’t aware their requirements
differed from the code. Usually, when they learn their
SSI falls below minimum code requirements, they
typically want it “brought up” to local jurisdictional
Be ready to discuss any unusual requirements.

items that are not a part of the 4. Be ready to discuss any unusual items that are not a
part of the standard codes and specifications. I have
standard codes and specifications. seen specifications that call for after-the-fact torque
wrench testing for bolting inspection. This is not a

24 | INSPECTION TRENDS
 [ PRECONSTRUCTION MEETINGS ]

part of any code or specification we use. If asked to

do this, I usually want a procedure provided to us by
others that the responsible engineer then signs off. Materials and designs have become
If we just wing it or develop our own procedure and
there are any problems with the bolts later, we assume more complex, and codebooks keep
a lot of liability. I would suggest extreme caution when
deciding to comply with project specifications that ask
getting thicker.
you to do this. Flagging work as noncompliant means
it didn’t comply with some aspects of the project doc-
uments. If we can’t point to clear language in a code
or specification that the work doesn’t comply with,
we are using our subjective judgments to evaluate
the work.

5. Are the correct NDE methods being required? Occa-

sionally, specifications for mechanical weld inspection
are accidentally cut and pasted into structural steel
field erection specifications. Instead of UT for CJP
welds, the options of radiographic testing, magnetic
particle testing, and liquid penetrant testing are given.
These are clerical errors that need to be cleared up
prior to erection.

6. Is the correct AISC specification listed? If AISC 341,

Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings,
is invoked instead of AISC 360, significantly more
inspection is required. Most of us don’t work in seis-
mically active regions, and structural steel is generally
constructed in accordance with AISC 360. Inspecting
a building to AISC 341 when it wasn’t required can
add unnecessary costs to a project. Much like NDE
specifications, this is usually a clerical error. The use In-process observation of
of cut and paste with word processing programs has field-welded CJP moment
led to a proliferation of these mistakes. connection.

ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE WITH HOLD

POINTS
Using all of the above information, now you can lay out a
basic schedule for the job. This is a good time to share the
before, during, and after inspection tables you printed out.
Make sure that you establish hold points, which is a place in
the job that they should not proceed any further until you
have been contacted. Some typical hold points areas are
as follows:
Now the site superintendent and the erector know you
want to perform preinstallation testing once the bolts are
delivered, not after they’ve already erected any stories of
framing, for example. They know not to begin welding moment
connections until you have checked the fitup. Also, now they
know you want to periodically witness pretensioned bolt
installation as it’s happening. In summary, you simultaneously
improved the quality of the inspections and made your job
easier. IT

Final tensioning of bolts — Is preinstallation testing

done? Is in-process observation required?
Welding CJP connections — Is the fitup observed?
Is in-process observation required? Is NDE scheduled?
Laying metal deck — Is the frame inspection com-
plete? Is NDE completed on CJP welds?
Installing shear studs — An inspector should be
present when production begins.
JAMES V. BOWEN ( jbowen@ecslimited.com), ECS South-
east LLP, Raleigh, N.C., is a CWI and American Society for
Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) NDT Level III. He is also a
member of the Standing Task Group for the AWS Welding
Inspection Handbook and an applicant to several AWS com-
mittees, including the B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection.

MAY 2022 | 25
 FEATURE
OVERVIEW OF
COMPUTED AND DIGITAL
RADIOGRAPHY
A comparison among film, computed, and digital radiography in
today’s nondestructive inspection applications
The advancements in radiographic techniques have con-
tributed significantly to enhanced safety, improved quality,
and significant cost savings. Technology plays a role in helping
lower costs with the added challenge of not compromising
quality.
This article focuses on the differences between using film-
based radiography, computed radiography (CR), and digital
radiography (DR) for nondestructive examination (NDE).
What is CR?
Computed or computer radiography uses a flexible imaging
plate coated with phosphors materials sensitive to x-rays.
X-ray exposure excites the phosphor material, creating a
latent image via energy storage. A red laser then scans the
Fig. 1 — The Golden Engineering XR150 low-energy pulsed
x-ray camera. (Credit: Golden Engineering Inc.)
26 | INSPECTION TRENDS
BY DAVID BAJULA
imaging plate, and image data is extracted and displayed.
The scanner automatically erases the imaging plate with a
bright fluorescent light and is ready for reuse in 60 seconds
or less. A significant advantage of CR is the conversion to
digital modality while still having a flexible plate or film, which
can use lower energy gamma sources, such as Selenium-75,
in small controlled area radiography (SCAR) devices and
portable x-ray tubes.
What is DR?
Depending on the geographical location, DR has many
different meanings, such as digital detector array (DDA),
digi-rad (European for a radiographic image displayed
on a computer screen), direct radiography (real-time
imaging), digitized radiography (film digitization), and real-
time radiography (RTR). A common technique uses digital
radiographic testing (RT) with a DDA panel, similarly to
CR, including low energy sources. Additionally, even lower
energy is required of DDA panels to achieve image density
requirements for thin materials, where low-energy, pulsed
x-ray cameras, such as the Golden Engineering XR150, are
used — Fig. 1.
DR is essentially a filmless radiographic image that doesn’t
use phosphor imaging plates, as in CR. In place of a radio-
graphic film or CR plate, a digital image panel is used to record
the radiographic image and make it available as a digital file
without an intermediate processing step, allowing an imme-
diate interpretation and review.
 [ RADIOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES ]

PROS AND CONS OF DR VS. CR

PROS CONS

DR: Higher image quality CR: In general, lower image quality

DR: Lower energy source or x-ray needed CR: Higher energy source or x-ray needed
DR: Instant RT image viewing CR: Image processing required prior to viewing
CR: Lower direct cost DR: Higher direct costs
CR: Flexible plates and medium DR: Rigid panel and medium

Why Use DR for Weld Inspection? an efficiency analysis, DR was 50% faster than CR and 71%
faster than conventional-film RT, leading to ALARA principle.
Some of the advantages of DR over film-based systems Data archival and transfer: Other benefits are producing
are as follows: digital imaging file formats for managing NDE data, such
as digital imaging and communication in nondestructive
Quality: DR offers imaging enhancement and analysis
evaluation (DICONDE) files and the capability and ease of
tools, data archival and ease of transferring, no shelf life on
data transfer. All DR images can be transmitted for offsite
digital data (yet), and auditing. DDA radiographic images
analysis, and most systems are configured with a secured
are collected in a static mode with near-instant results and
virtual private network (VPN), which allows the seamless
review, thus eliminating the need for reshoots. Figure 2 shows
transfer of data back to dedicated analysis centers for review
a comparison between film quality vs. DR quality. Note the
and reporting. The data provided to the client or owner/users
sharpness, contrast, and latitude.
come with reader version software for self-analysis and audit-
Safety: As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) and as ing of the radiographic images.
low as reasonably practical (ALARP) principles, both in much
less exposure times and the ability to use much lower energy
sources or x-rays . Applications and Case Studies
Environmental: ISO 14001 addresses various aspects of
environmental management — no harm to the environment
due to the release of depleted chemicals. Tube-to-Tubesheet Weld Inspection
Speed and productivity: Unlike conventional film and CR,
An application benefiting from the advantages of DR over
DR does not involve any offline or intermediate development.
film-based systems is the inspection of tube-to-tubesheet
The image obtained is ready for instant review at the point
of inspection, thus eliminating the possibility of reshoots. In

Digital radiography is essentially

a filmless radiographic image that
doesn’t use phosphor imaging
plates, as in CR.
Fig. 2 — Film image quality of tube-to-tubesheet weld
inspection (left) vs. DR image quality (right) (Ref. 1).

MAY 2022 | 27
 FEATURE

COST COMPARISON

A comprehensive study was done by Acuren to provide a cost comparison between the traditional
film radiography, the becoming-mainstream computer radiography, and the recently trending digital
radiography. At the conclusion of the study, it was evident that the digital modalities were significantly
lower in the consumable costs. Below are the comparative results for shooting 208,000 exposures where
those same exposures could be completed with 40 CR plates in lieu of film and only two DR panels.

Film Consumables CR Consumables DR Consumables

(208,000) 14 ✗ 17-in. sheets (40) 14 ✗ 17-in. image plates (2) 14 ✗ 17-in. DR panels
per year per year per year
$2.62 per sheet (includes $637 per image plate $40,000 per DR panel
chemistry)
$544,960 total consumable $25,480 total consumable cost $80,000 consumable cost
cost

welds. Current NDE methods used for that application vary

from visual testing (VT), liquid penetrant testing (PT), leak
testing (LT), and, lately, RT. Whereas VT and PT inspections are
adequate for detecting surface imperfections and defects,
they cannot assess the complete joint penetration of the weld
and embedded (subsurface) flaws. Although it is not uncom-
mon to incorporate LT inspections with pressurization and
hydro testing, the combined techniques are only adequate to
detect active tube weld leaks. It is, therefore, necessary for
establishing a complete volumetric examination. Initial efforts
by BASF were successful in using specialized film packs to
perform radiography with film-based RT (Ref. 1). Later this
was upgraded to digital RT, resulting in an enhancement in
productivity and quality.
Water Wall Tube Replacement of Recovery
Boiler
The challenge for this project was an estimated 1700 welds
that would require radiography. The 2½- and 3-in. diameter
tubes would require a minimum of two shots, resulting in
3400 exposures. Film and CR would have required the radi-
ography to be performed during what industry calls shot
windows (during lunch breaks and shift changes, for example).
However, using DR with a SCAR camera significantly reduced
the respective radiation zones to a manageable 13 ft inside
the boiler and 17 ft outside the boiler. This allowed nearly
all other crafts to continue working while radiography was
performed near continuously. Coupled with the enhanced
quality and no reshots, it took only 13 days to complete the
radiography.
Conclusion
As the demand for providing critical NDE inspection ser-
vices at lower cost increases, DR and similar technologies
offer the ability to reduce overall costs while maintaining
minimum quality standards. Furthermore, whereas DR
requires much less equivalent radiation exposure to pro-
duce the required image viewing densities and provides
exceptional latitude across multiple material and thickness
changes resulting in less shots or exposures, personnel
and public safety is assured through an enhanced ALARA
principle. What’s next? On the horizon is the use of DR with
flexible hardware or panels offering unparalleled capabilities
to industrial radiographic services to be better, faster, and
safer than ever before.
Reference
1. Zscherpel, U., Ewert U., Rost, P., Schmid, M., Spartiotis, K., and
Warrikhoff, A. 2012. X-ray endoscopy for inspection of tube-to-tube
sheet welds in heat exchangers. Proceedings of the 18th World Con-
ference on Nondestructive Testing, Durban, South Africa.
DAVID BAJULA (david.bajula@acuren.com) is the general
manager of Advanced NDT Services at Acuren, La Porte, Tex.
He is an AWS CWI, an ASNT/ACCP Level III, and a chartered
engineer (CEng) by the Engineering Council in London.

28 | INSPECTION TRENDS
 [ SCHOOL PROFILES ]

NDE SCHOOL PROFILES

Attention Schools in Training and
Testing for Materials Evaluation, Weld
Inspection, and Quality Assurance:
Included in this section are welding schools
across the country that have taken this
advertising opportunity to promote their
resources, both to industry in need of welders
and to those searching for a solid career path
to employment and growth. Reach more than
36,000 readers whose livelihoods depend on
quality assurance, materials testing, or weld
inspection with your school profile.
The National Center for Welding Education and Training (dba
Weld-Ed) is a partnership of community colleges, universities,
business and industry, and the American Welding Society. It is
funded by the National Science Foundation. The Center’s primary
mission is to increase the quantity and quality of welding and
materials joining technicians to meet industry demand through
curriculum reform and educator professional development.
Additional information is available at weld-ed.org. Participating
schools display the Weld-Ed logo below next to their names.

Albany Weld Trade School
Albany Weld Trade School was founded in the
1990s by a welding foreman, millwright, and
construction diver who was dissatisfied with
the quality of welders he was being supplied.
Our tutorship trains in structural welding,
where the job openings are. One-hundred
percent of our graduates over the last several
years went on to employment in the welding
trades, and the school has developed a new
purpose-built facility. Only a limited number
of students who can do sixth grade math and
read a tape measure are accepted.
91120-B Cape Arago Hwy.
Coos Bay, OR 97420
(541) 888-WELD
(541) 888-9353
tony@weldschool.com
weldschool.com
All-State Career School
Pittsburgh, PA
Did you know that welders are capable of
gaining employment in a variety of industries,
including car racing and manufacturing? At
All-State Career School’s welding program, you
will be provided with a foundation in industrial
welding techniques, crafting skills, and welding
mathematics to prepare you for a rewarding
welding career. Fulfill your dream of becom-
ing specialized in welding, cutting, soldering,
or brazing with training from All-State Career
School.
Pittsburgh Trades Campus
1200 Lebanon Rd., Ste. 101
West Mifflin, PA 15122
(412) 823-1818
allstatecareer.edu
All-State Career School
Essington, PA
Are you interested in gaining the skills needed
to enter the rewarding field of welding? If so,
choose All-State Career School in Essington,
Pa. Our welding instructors take pride in pro-
viding our students with essential education
and training to create the well-rounded welding
professional, one who is skillful with today’s
welding processes. The welding curriculum at
All-State Career School is structured to provide
a focus on the design, production, perfor-
mance, and maintenance of welding materials.
Learn how you can enroll at All-State Career
School today and train to be able to earn your
certificate in welding.
Essington Trades Campus
50 W. Powhattan Ave.
Essington, PA 19029
(610) 521-1818
allstatecareer.edu

30 | INSPECTION TRENDS

Austin Community College
The welding technology program at Austin
Community College offers seven certificates
and four associate of applied science degrees.
Areas of specialty include welding inspection,
ultrasonic testing, structural welding, and inert
gas welding. Additional topics include orbital
tube welding, metallurgy, and pipe weld-
ing. Our architectural and ornamental metal
programs include blacksmithing, power
hammer, and metal sculpture. Classes total-
ing more than 600 seats are offered at two
campuses.
(512) 223-6220
austincc.edu/welding
Cal-Trade Welding School
of Modesto
Cal-Trade Welding School of Modesto has
been operating since 1975. Using the industry
employers as a guide, we teach SMAW, GMAW,
GTAW, FCAW, and pipeline welding. Welding
technique training is primary, and students are
given one-on-one instruction. In the 18-week
Combination Welding Course, students have
the opportunity to earn multiple certifications.
Welding theory, mathematics for welders, and
blueprint reading are also offered. Lifetime job
placement assistance is available to students
after graduation.
424 Kansas Ave.
Modesto, CA 95351
(209) 523-0753
Fax: (209) 523-8826
caltradeweldingschool.com
Central Carolina
Technical College
Sumter, South Carolina
Central Carolina Technical College’s (CCTC’s)
welding program is one of the leading pipe and
structural welding programs on the East Coast.
CCTC offers a two-year program where stu-
dents can earn a basic welding certificate, an
advanced pipe welding certificate, or a gen-
eral technology associate degree in applied
science. CCTC’s welding programs are in
accordance with AWS, ASME, and API codes.
The program’s current job placement rate is
100%. CCTC is accredited by SACSCOC.
Axel Reis, welding department chair
506 N. Guignard Dr.
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 778-7863
reisah@cctech.edu
cctech.edu
Central Wyoming College
Industr y driven, af fordable, hands-on!
Central Wyoming College (CWC), located
in the beautiful Wind River Valley, is an AWS
Educational Institution with curriculum that
aligns with AWS’s SENSE program. CWC is also
an AWS Accredited Test Facility. Students are
trained to weld according to AWS prequalified
welding procedures as well as the American
Petroleum Institute’s 1104 pipeline code. There
is a large emphasis on blueprint reading, weld-
ing symbols, metallurgy, and weld inspection.
Training includes shielded metal arc welding,
gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc weld-
ing, flux core arc welding, and oxyacetylene
welding. Students have a choice of earning
a credential, a certificate, or an associate of
applied science degree. Our welding lab has
the most up-to-date welding equipment and
a state-of-the-art air moving system.
Darryl Steeds, CWI
dsteeds@cwc.edu | (307) 855-2138
Admissions (800) 855-0193
cwc.edu
[ SCHOOL PROFILES ]
Columbus State
Community College
Columbus State Community College, located
in Columbus, Ohio, offers individuals an
opportunity to learn welding and complete a
welding associate degree or an intermediate
welder certificate. The certificate provides the
necessary credentials for entering the work-
force as an intermediate-level welder. Our
skilled trades program proudly participates
as a Level II AWS SENSE school, teaching SMAW,
GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, PAC, and oxyfuel pro-
cesses. Certificate studies can be completed
in one year. Financial aid and v­­ eteran’s benefits
are available.
Scott Laslo, program coordinator
(614) 287-2653
slaslo1@cscc.edu
550 E. Spring St. Columbus, OH 43215
cscc.edu
Cuesta College
Welding Technology
Cuesta College is highly regarded for its excel-
lent education programs as well as exceptional
faculty and staff. The welding technology pro-
gram offers a well-rounded curriculum that has
a strong history of teaching diverse populations
ranging from beginners to those preparing to
work in industry. Candidates are provided the
opportunity to obtain a certificate of achieve-
ment, two certificates of specialization, and
an associate degree in welding technology
as they reach the ultimate goal of becoming
a certified welder. Our three CWI instructors
qualify students in Structural Steel and Pipe
Welding to AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, and
API 1104 standards. Additionally, six part-time
instructors add their vast industry experience
teaching additional elective courses that set
our students apart upon graduation.
Mike Fontes — mfontes@cuesta.edu
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
(805) 546-3100, ext. 2737
cuesta.edu
MAY 2022 | 31
 [ SCHOOL PROFILES ]
Earlbeck Technical Center
The Earlbeck Technical Center offers a com-
plete curriculum of welding classes. Our
Fundamentals course instructs in the basics
of oxyfuel, GTAW, GMAW, and SMAW. Students
may then progress through intermediate level
classes, offering certification testing in plate,
and advanced level classes, offering certifica-
tion testing in pipe. Visual welding inspection,
symbols for blueprint reading, and custom-
ized and mobile training are also available. The
Earlbeck Technical Center, winner of the 2017
AWS & WEMCO Excellence in Welding Award
in the Educational Facility category, is an AWS
Accredited Test Facility.
8204 Pulaski Hwy.
Baltimore, MD
York, PA / Scranton, PA
(410) 687-8400
dhodges@earlbeck.com
earlbeck.com/weldertraining.html
Fortis College
Smyrna, GA
Kick-start your welding career with a Fortis
College education. In our welding technology
program, you can get the training and hands-on
expertise needed to enter the growing welding
industry in various careers, including industrial
welders, check welders, welding apprentices,
and more. Our courses offer instruction on the
intricacies of welding and all its phases, includ-
ing the use of destructive and nondestructive
examination to ensure students have a thor-
ough understanding of quality welding. Contact
us today to learn more about our program and
schedule a campus visit.
2140 S. Cobb Dr.
Smyrna, GA 30080
(770) 980-0002
fortis.edu
32 | INSPECTION TRENDS
Fortis College
Birmingham, AL
Small class sizes, experienced instructors, and
lots of opportunities to develop your hands-on
skills are only part of what makes Fortis College
special. Our comprehensive welding program
is designed to prepare you with the knowledge
and real-world skills you need to pursue entry-
level employment as a welder. Call today to
learn how to get started training for a career
in welding at Fortis College.
100 London Pkwy., Ste. 150
Birmingham, AL 35211
(205) 940-7800
fortis.edu
Fortis College
Cincinnati, OH
Do you enjoy using your hands and finding
practical solutions to complex problems? If
so, a career in welding could be for you! The
first step is to gain the essential training to be
successful in the field. At Fortis College, we
have the training, guidance, and resources to
help you succeed. Our welding technology pro-
gram offers instruction in fundamental math
applications, introduction to oxyfuel cutting,
and various welding processes to make you
skillful in this skilled trade with a future. Give
Fortis College a call today to learn more and
schedule a campus visit.
11499 Chester Rd., Ste. 200
Cincinnati, OH 45246
(513) 771-2795
fortis.edu
Fortis College
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Fortis College Cuyahoga Falls, formerly known
as National Institute of Technology, was
founded in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, in 1966. The
welding technician program teaches students
the principles of welding technology. In the
program, students are introduced to basic
air carbon arc, oxyfuel, and plasma arc cut-
ting processes. The fundamental concepts
of shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, and flux
cored arc welding are taught. Pipe welding and
gas tungsten arc welding applications are also
included in the curriculum.
2545 Bailey Rd.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
(330) 923-9959
fortis.edu
Fortis College
Houston South, TX
Train to become a welding technician at Fortis
College Houston South. The ideal blend of art
and science, welding is integral to many indus-
tries, including construction, manufacturing,
and aerospace. At Fortis College, you will learn
from experienced professionals as they guide
you through a comprehensive curriculum. Our
small class sizes and skilled faculty are com-
mitted to helping you gain the knowledge and
hands-on skills you need to achieve your goals.
1201 West Oaks Mall
Houston, TX 77082
(713) 266-6594
fortis.edu

Georgia Trade School
Georgia Trade School graduates have worked
on iconic stadiums from the Mercedes-Benz
Stadium to Truist Park; iconic music venues
including The Roxy and the Ameris Bank
Amphitheatre; iconic film and television sets
such as Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, Fast
& Furious, and Tyler Perry Studios; and the most
important acres of America, building ships for
the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines. With 1000
graduates across 20 states, our welders are
truly rebuilding America.
Joanna Vinson, president
jvinson@georgiatradeschool.com
4231 Southside Dr.
Acworth, GA 30101
(770) 590-9353
georgiatradeschool.com
Guilford Technical Community
College
Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC)
welding graduates are prepared to work in the
high-tech landscape of modern manufacturing.
Students learn hands-on with industry-leading
technology at our Center for Advanced Manu-
facturing, where they develop their knowledge
and craftsmanship to prepare for welder per-
formance qualification tests and a variety of
careers. GTCC graduates are employed in
the nuclear, aircraft, mechanical, and artistic
industries. We offer four pathways: 1) structural
plate/pipe, 2) welding technology in manu-
facturing, 3) robotic welding certificates, and
4) a diploma, which includes certificates 1+2.
Donald Ellington, CWI/CWE
djellington@gtcc.edu
Jamestown, NC 27282
(336) 334-4822, ext. 50411
gtcc.edu
Hill College
Hill College’s welding program offers compre-
hensive training in a high-demand job market
on both the Hillsboro and Cleburne campuses.
You can choose from several program options,
including a certificate in basic welding, up to
an associate of applied science degree in weld-
ing technology. Hill College is equipped with
state-of-the-art technology to help you get a
jump start on your career. With the hands-on
curriculum, you are given an experience that
exceeds what a classroom can teach.
Welding Department
(254) 659-7984
jprice@hillcollege.edu
Hill County Campus
Hillsboro, TX 76645
Cleburne Technical Center
Cleburne, TX 76031
hillcollege.edu/Academics/Business-
Industry/Welding/Welding.html
Hobart Institute of
Welding Technology
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
(HIWT) offers a wide range of welding skill
and technical training classes and certifi-
cations. The catalog lists the skill training
programs, more than 25 individual courses,
corporate training, and a listing of the
AWS certified testing services provided.
Corporate training may be done at our facility
or yours. The HIWT bookstore offers a complete
training curriculum that includes DVDs, instruc-
tor guides, and student workbooks along with
other welding-education-related items.
400 Trade Square E.
Troy, OH 45363
(937) 332-9500
Fax: (937) 332-9550
welding.org
[ SCHOOL PROFILES ]
I.M.P.A.C.T.
Independently verified by the American
Welding Society, the Iron Workers (IW)/
AWS National Welding Certification Program
has stringent guidelines that each IW train-
ing program must meet to be accredited. The
Canadian welding program was established in
partnership with the Canadian Welding Bureau
(CWB), and training programs in Canada must
meet the CWB requirements to be accredited.
Both programs have multiple processes for
welder qualification, allowing ironworkers to
meet the needs of the industry.
1750 New York Ave. NW, Ste. 700
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 383-4800
wcp@ironworkers.org
ironworkers.org
Lakeshore Technical
College
Located between Milwaukee and Green Bay,
Wis., on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan,
Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) is a nation-
ally recognized college that can have you work
ready in 27 weeks. From our innovative pro-
grams and experienced faculty to our high-tech
classrooms and labs, affordability, and grad-
uate placement rates, LTC ranks among the
best. Our state-of-the-art KOHLER Center for
Manufacturing Excellence serves as the only
AWS Accredited Test Facility in the area; it’s
also where we offer multiple entry points for
our welding fabrication and welding industrial
programs. Learn more today at gotoltc.edu.
1290 N. Ave.
Cleveland, WI 53015
(888) GO TO LTC
(888) 468-6582
gotoltc.edu
MAY 2022 | 33
 [ SCHOOL PROFILES ]
Mitchell Technical College
Mitchell Technical College offers an industry-
driven welding and manufacturing technology
program that provides skills for graduates to
excel in welding, machining, drafting, laser/
plasma cutting systems, robotics, and lean
manufacturing techniques. Instruction is
AWS code based during the second year. Stu-
dents learn clearly defined and communicated
welding quality standards. They also learn to
test welds by various methods, including dye
penetrant, radiographic, visual, and tensile
load testing as well as bend-and-break test-
ing conducted by a certified welder within an
AWS Accredited Test Facility.
1800 E. Spruce St.
Mitchell, SD 57301
(800) 684-1969
mitchelltech.edu
Monroe County
Community College
MCCC’s welding technolog y education
includes training in SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and
GTAW of ferrous and nonferrous materials. Our
state-of-the-art, hands-on training facility
emphasizes mechanical and manual thermal
cutting processes and techniques. American
Welding Society SENSE certification may also
be attained through our ten-week QC-10 (entry
level) and QC-11 (advanced level) offerings.
MCCC proudly offers multiple certificate
pathways, including a basic welding certifi-
cate, an advanced welding certificate, and a
nondestructive testing certificate program in
addition to the associate in applied science
degree in welding technology that transfers to
both Ferris State University and Wayne State
University. Apprentice training is available to
companies with registered apprenticeship
programs.
Steve Hasselbach, CWI | (734) 384-4118
shasselbach@monroeccc.edu
Jennifer St. Charles | (734) 384-4112
jstcharles@monroeccc.edu
34 | INSPECTION TRENDS
Odessa College
Nationally recognized as one of the leading col-
leges in the country, the award-winning Odessa
College (OC) welding technology program pro-
vides the educational training for tomorrow’s
welding technicians. The four specialized lab
areas are equipped with 75 welding stations
for instruction on SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW,
SAW, and robotic welding procedures. Learn
the cutting process in oxyfuel, plasma, and air
carbon arc cutting in both manual and mecha-
nized methods. The modern classrooms utilize
Smartwall technology with Lincoln Electric
virtual welding training systems to enhance
the learning experience. Students have the
opportunity to earn a one-year certificate or
a two-year associate of applied science degree
in welding technology. The program is an AWS
Educational Institution Member and an active
NC3 member with several trained instructors.
Our AWS Student Chapter is active on the OC
campus and in our community.
Syed Muhammad Naqvi, CWI/CWE
snaqvi@odessa.edu/odessa.edu
(432) 335-6306
Ohio Technical College
Welding & Fabrication
Technology
Ohio Tech’s welding and fabrication program is
the fastest-growing program on campus with
a 12-month comprehensive hands-on training
process that teaches students basic through
advanced principles, theory, and applications
of welding. We also include the study of prac-
tical mathematics and blueprint reading for
welders, including learning the welding sym-
bols required to interpret working sketches,
drawings, and blueprints common to the
welding and metalworking fields. Certifica-
tion testing is available through recognized
professional organizations. An associate in
applied science degree option is also available.
Cleveland, OH 44103
(800) 322-7000
jbrenner@ohiotech.edu
ohiotech.edu
Ridgewater College
Students and industry choose Ridgewater
College’s nationally recognized nondestruc-
tive testing technology (NDT) program.
Experienced faculty work one-on-one with
students to teach ultrasound, radiography,
eddy current, liquid penetrant, magnetic
particle, and visual inspections. Strong
state and national industry partnerships
provide incredible internship experiences
and a 97–100% student job placement rate.
Ridgewater College has been ranked the #1
community college in Minnesota, 2020 and
2021, by niche.com. NDT options include a
nondestructive testing technology associate
of applied science degree or diploma.
Hutchinson and Willmar, MN
ridgewater.edu/welding-aws
(320) 234-8500
admissions@ridgewater.edu
San Jacinto College
East Harris County, Texas
San Jacinto College provides students inspec-
tion and nondestructive testing training skills
for the jobs in the industrial, energy, and mari-
time enterprises found in the Gulf Coast region
and along the Houston Ship Channel. Train
at San Jacinto College for your future in the
region’s largest, newest, and best equipped
facility, where you can earn certificates or
degrees in inspection and nondestructive
testing or take courses for professional devel-
opment. Our accredited programs are taught
to ASNT, AWS, API, NACE, and NC3 standards.
Courses: VT-MT-PT, ET, UT, PAUT, Corrosion,
AWS CWI & CRI, API 510/570, Metrology, and
Metallurgy — Material Sciences.
Inspection Tech | (281) 478-2799
sanjac.edu/NDT

Schoolcraft College
Located in one of the largest manufacturing
areas of the United States, Schoolcraft College
offers certificates and associate degrees in
an AWS Accredited Test Facility. The college
provides state-of-the-art welding and fabri-
cation equipment in an innovative, dynamic,
and productive environment. Small class sizes
give students easy access to knowledgeable
industry-trained experts and CWI instructors
who strive to educate students for real-life,
on-the-job scenarios. Schoolcraft College
offers classes in all major welding processes
as well as specialized classes in blueprint read-
ing, inspection, metallurgy, OSHA 30, CAD,
and CNC manufacturing. Schoolcraft College
also offers courses for AWS certifications in
aerospace, D1.1, and B2.1 as well as ASME and
other codes and standards to students as well
as local skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen.
Coley McLean
cmclean@schoolcraft.edu
Livonia, MI 48150
(734) 462-7020 | schoolcraft.edu
Tyler Junior College
Tyler Junior College (TJC) is a comprehensive
community college in Tyler, Tex., recognized
as one of the top colleges in Texas. Its one-
year certificate and two-year associate degree
pathways in welding technology prepare
students for entry-level code welding for
industry. Training is provided in blueprint
reading and layout as well as SMAW, GMAW,
FCAW, GTAW, and pipe welding. In addition,
the welding program follows the AWS SENSE
entry-level guidelines for welder training.
Many TJC welding graduates secure a great
job before graduation. Let us help you prepare
for a rewarding career in a high-demand field.
Call or visit our website.
P.O. Box 9020
Tyler, TX 75711
(903) 510-2390
(800) 687-5680
tjc.edu
United Technical Inc.
Train, test, and become an AWS Certified
Welder at our facility in Whitmore Lake, Mich.
With the ability to train in all common pro-
cesses (GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW, etc.)
on any material (steel, stainless, aluminum,
titanium, copper, etc.), United Technical is
the go-to place for all your welding training
needs. Our classes have a large emphasis on
hands-on training, so students spend most of
the time actually welding. Focusing on corpo-
rate welding training, we know what it takes to
create a true welding professional. Our CWIs/
CWEs on staff give us the advantage to be able
to support manufacturing companies.
Robert Dines
rdines@unitedtech1.com
1081 E. North Territorial Rd.
Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
(248) 667-9185
Washtenaw Community
College
Washtenaw Community College’s (WCC’s)
welding and fabrication program offers cer-
tificates and an associate of applied science
degree. Courses focus on welding and fabri-
cation while introducing students to industry
trends such as weld quality testing (visual,
physical, and nondestructive) and automated
welding and cutting. The faculty at WCC are
AWS-certified CWIs with more than 40 years of
combined industry experience. WCC also offers
a preapprenticeship certificate program con-
necting students to the Local 25 Ironworkers
Union. WCC’s program combines classroom
learning with practical hands-on learning
that arms students with the skills they need
to thrive in the welding workforce. WCC is an
AWS Accredited Test Facility so students can
achieve AWS welding certifications.
Alex Pazkowski
Bradley Clink
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 973-3628
wccnet.edu | atp.div@wccnet.edu
[ SCHOOL PROFILES ]
Welder Training and Testing
Institute
Welder Training and Testing Institute (WTTI)
maintains a freestanding campus in Pennsylva-
nia, housing a weld lab equipped with 65 work
stations. Training is provided in all major weld-
ing processes. Classrooms are fully equipped
to support lessons in theory, blueprint read-
ing, and fitting. Specialized on-site training is
available to industry. WTTI also offers CWI and
NDT training and certification as well as welder
certification through our AWS Accredited Test
Facility and ISO 17025 Accredited Laboratory.
729 E. Highland St.
Allentown, PA 18109
(800) 223-WTTI
info@wtti.edu
Wilson Community College
Welding Technology Diploma
and Certificate Program
Established in 1958, Wilson Community
College is one of the system’s oldest institu-
tions. The college offers associate degrees,
diplomas, and certificates. The welding tech-
nology curriculum provides students with an
understanding of the science, technology, and
applications essential for successful employ-
ment in the industry. Instruction includes
electrode welding and cutting processes, blue-
print reading, metallurgy, welding inspection,
and destructive and nondestructive testing to
provide the student with industry-standard
skills. Enrollment is approximately 17 to 25
students.
Travis Flewelling,
Dean of Industrial Technologies
tflewelling@wilsoncc.edu
(252) 246-1210
902 Herring Ave., Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 291-1195 | wilsoncc.edu
MAY 2022 | 35
 MARK YOUR CALENDAR
FABTECH Mexico
May 3–5
More than 300 brands will
present the latest in technology,
machinery, and solutions to more
than 8000 attendees. Attend-
ees will find innovative solutions,
meet experts, and acquire first-
hand knowledge about the metal
forming, fabricating, welding,
and finishing industries at Cin-
termex in Monterrey, Mexico.
Visit mexico.fabtechexpo.com.
Shipbuilding &
Aluminum Conference
2022
May 3–5
During this three-day con-
ference at the Holiday Inn San
Diego Bayside, San Diego, Calif.,
industry experts will discuss the
latest research and innovations
in the shipbuilding and alumi-
num industries. Visit awo.aws.
org/upcoming-conferences.
Aerospace D17.1 —
Classifications and
Procedures
June 1
This virtual conference will
bring together experts from
R&D, manufacturing, and appli-
cations in the areas of advanced
welding and brazing, adaptive
manufacturing, single crystal
repair, and advanced repair
technologies for the aerospace
industries. Visit aws.org.
Advances in Welding &
Additive Manufacturing
Research Conference
2022
June 13–15
This technically intensive vir-
tual conference will focus on
cutting-edge developments
in the science of welding,
joining, and additive manufac-
turing research. Visit awo.aws.
org/upcoming-conferences.
36 | INSPECTION TRENDS
FABTECH Canada
June 14–16
At the Toronto Congress
C e nt r e (S o u t h B uil ding ),
Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
meet more than 300 suppli-
ers; see the latest industry
products and developments;
find the tools to improve pro-
ductivity and increase profits;
and discover new solutions
for all of your metal forming,
fabricating, welding, and fin-
ishing needs. Visit canada.
fabtechexpo.com.
30th ASNT Research
Symposium
June 20–23
This event at Hilton St. Louis
Frontenac, St. Louis, Mo., will
showcase keynote and featured
speakers and have a new precon-
ference workshop day, student
poster competition, and numer-
ous networking opportunities.
Visit asnt.eventsair.com/asnt-
research-symposium-2022.
7th US-Japan
NDT Symposium
Aug. 23–26
At Waikoloa Beach Marriott
Resort & Spa, Waikoloa, Hawaii,
this joint-society symposium
will foster interactions among
researchers, scientists, engi-
neers, and practitioners from
the United States and Japan
to exchange nondestructive
examination (NDE) techni-
cal information, network with
influencers around the globe,
and summarize current and
emerging capabilities in NDE.
V i s i t a s nt .eve nt s a i r.c o m/
us-japan-2022.
ASNT 2022: The Annual
Conference
Oct. 31–Nov. 3
The conference will feature
g en e r al s e s sio ns an d an
exhibit hall with more than
225 exhibitors at the Gaylord
Opryland Resort & Conven-
tion Center, Nashville, Tenn.
Attendees will hear updates
on the latest advances in
nondestructive examination
(NDE) and meet more than
2500 NDE industry profes-
sionals. Visit asnt.eventsair.
com/asnt-2022-the-annual-
conference.
FABTECH
Nov. 8–10
Returning to the Georgia
World Congress Center in
Atlanta, Ga., this event will
provide a convenient one-stop
shop venue for participants to
meet with world-class suppliers,
see the latest industry products
and developments, find the
tools to improve productiv-
ity, and increase profits. Visit
fabtechexpo.com.
Educational
Opportunities
ASNT Learn Webinars
Learn about emerging indus-
try trends, management skills,
and nondestructive exam-
ination applications. Those
pursuing recertification can
earn contact hours. Go to asnt.
org and click on “Events” then
“Webinars” to view upcoming
live events.
The Atlas of
Welding Procedure
Specifications
This five-day seminar, sched-
uled for June 20–24, will teach
welders how to meet the code
requirements for the weld-
ing procedure specification.
Join via Zoom for the online
presentation at 1:30 p.m. east-
ern time. The length of each
online session is four hours
with time for questions after
the presentation. Additionally,
attendees can earn 24 profes-
sional development hours for
successfully completing the
final examination. For more
information, contact Al Moore
at amoore999@comcast.net.
AWS Online CWI
Preseminar
This seminar covers the funda-
mental concepts and principles
frequently used by AWS Certi-
fied Welding Inspectors (CWIs).
The ten-course program pro-
vides a strong foundation for
those preparing to take the CWI
exam or a refresher for CWIs in
need of professional develop-
ment hours. Visit aws.org.
AWS Professional
Development Webinars
These live, instructor-led
webinars cover a variety of
topics, including WPSs, PQRs,
and WQTRs; aluminum weld-
ing for fabricators, inspectors,
and engineers; introductions
to ASME Section IX; and a new
welding standard for additive
manufacturing. Participants can
also earn professional develop-
ment hours and continuing
education units. Go to aws.org to
view the schedule for upcoming
webinars.
AWS Two-Week CWI
Exam Prep Seminar
This seminar package includes
instruction by AWS Certified
Welding Inspectors and Edu-
cators; early receipt of the code
book, tools, and study materials;
and daily lunch. Registration is
open for the upcoming semi-
nars: June 6–18, Aloft Tampa
Downtown, Tampa, Fla.; Aug.
1–13, Concorde Career College
— Aurora Campus, Aurora, Colo.;
and Oct. 24–Nov. 5, Crowne
Plaza Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh

South, Pittsburgh, Pa. Visit aws.
org/cwi2week.
Canadian Welding
Bureau Online/
Classroom Courses
Courses in nondestructive
examination disciplines to meet
certifications to the Canadian
General Standards Board or
Canadian Nuclear Safety Com-
mission. The Canadian Welding
Bureau; (800) 84 4- 6790;
cwbgroup.org; info@cwbgroup.
org.
CWI/CWE Prep Courses;
CWI Endorsement
Seminars
Courses are held at the Welder
Training & Testing Institute. For
a complete list of the seminars,
workshops, and trainings sched-
uled, go to ndtinstitute.com/
upcoming-classes. To register,
contact mary@wtti.com.
CWI Exam Prep Course
The American Institute of
Nondestructive Testing offers
a Certified Welding Inspector
exam prep course of Parts A and
C. (855) 313-0325; trainingndt.
com; instructor@trainingndt.
com.
NDE Training Classes
Moraine Valley Community
College, Palos Hills, Ill. NDE
classes in PT, MT, UT, RT, radia-
tion safety, and eddy current as
well as API 510 exam prep and
weld inspection. (708) 974-
5735; ccce@morainevalley.edu;
morainevalley.edu.
[ MARK YOUR CALENDAR ]
NDT Classroom Training
and e-Learning Course
Waygate Inspection Acad-
emy offers online and on-site
courses in UT, RT, MT, PT, eddy
current, and remote visual
inspection. waygateinspection
academy.com; (832) 325-4368.
NDT Courses and Exams
Test NDT LLC offers Level III
refresher courses in basic, eddy
current, visual, magnetic parti-
cle, penetrant, radiography, and
ultrasonic testing in Brea, Calif.,
and at customers’ locations.
For scheduled courses, see
testndt.f47.com/ndt_training _
schedule_2022.pdf.
Online Destructive
and Nondestructive
Examination Courses
The Hobart Institute of Weld-
ing Technology offers online
courses that meet the require-
ments of AWS QC1, Specification
for AWS Certification of Weld-
ing Inspectors, and can be
applied toward professional
development hours for recertifi-
cation of AWS Certified Welding
Inspectors and Educators.
welding.org/product-category/
online-courses; (800) 332-
9448.
Preparation for AWS —
CWI/CWE Examination
Two-week class offers nine
days of instruction with the
test being administered on the
tenth day. It includes a backpack
for the convenience of carrying
books and other study materi-
als. Hobart Institute of Welding
Technology; (800) 332-9448;
welding.org; hiwt@welding.org.
MAY 2022 | 37
 AWS CERTIFICATION SCHEDULE
CERTIFICATION SEMINARS,
CODE CLINICS, AND EXAMINATIONS

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Location Seminar Dates

Pittsburgh, PA June 19–24
Seminar covers Parts A, B, and C of the CWI exam. Only Charlotte, NC July 17–22
Part B of the exam is taken following the conclusion of The Woodlands, TX Aug. 7–12
the seminar. Parts A and C are given at Prometric testing Tampa, FL Aug. 28–Sept. 2
centers. Sacramento, CA Sept. 25–30
Location Seminar Dates Part B Exam Date Dallas, TX Oct. 9–14
Pittsburgh, PA June 5–10 June 11 Denver, CO Oct. 23–28
Birmingham, AL June 5–10 June 11
Spokane, WA June 12–17 June 18
Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
Hartford, CT June 12–17 June 18
East Rutherford, NJ June 19–24 June 25 Seminar and exam are given at all sites listed under
Valley, NE June 19–24 June 25 Certified Welding Inspector. Seminar attendees will not
Beaumont, TX June 19–24 June 25 attend the Code Clinic portion of the seminar (usually the
Miami, FL July 17–22 July 23 first two days).
Cleveland, OH July 17–22 July 23
Charlotte, NC July 24–29 July 30
Phoenix, AZ July 24–29 July 30 Certified Welding Sales Representative
Tampa, FL July 24–29 July 30 (CWSR)
Lake Elsinore, CA July 31–Aug. 5 Aug. 6
More information at aws.org/certification/detail/
Lehi, UT Aug. 7–12 Aug. 13
certified-welding-sales-representative.
San Diego, CA Aug. 14–19 Aug. 20
Palos Hills, IL Aug. 14–19 Aug. 20
N. Kansas City, MO Aug. 14–19 Aug. 20 Certified Resistance Welding Technician
The Woodlands, TX Aug. 21–26 Aug. 27 (CRWT)
Tukwila, WA Aug. 21–26 Aug. 27
More information at aws.org/certification/page/certified-
resistance-welding-technician.
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) 2-Week
The two-week in-person CWI seminar is designed to give Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)
candidates sufficient time to prepare for all three parts in
a focused classroom environment. More information at aws.org/certification/detail/
certified-welding-supervisor.
Location Seminar Dates Part B Exam Date
Tampa, FL June 6–17 June 18
Aurora, CO Aug. 1–12 Aug. 13 Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI)
More information at aws.org/certification/detail/
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Part B certified-radiographic-interpreter.
Course covers only Part B of the CWI exam. The Part B
exam follows the conclusion of the three-day course. Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW)
Location Seminar Dates Part B Exam Date OTC Daihen Inc., Tipp City, OH; (937) 667-0800, ext. 218
Apple Valley, MN July 20–22 July 23 Lincoln Electric, Fort Collins, CO; (970) 218-5344
Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, WI;
9-Year Recertification Seminar for CWI/ (414) 456-5454
Santa Clarita Community College (College of the Canyons),
SCWI
Santa Clarita, CA; (661) 259-7800, ext. 3062
For current CWIs and SCWIs needing to meet education Genesis Systems IPG Photonics Co., Davenport, IA;
requirements without taking the exam. (563) 445-5688

Note: The 2022 schedule for all certifications is posted online at awo.aws.org/seminar-exam-schedule. IMPORTANT: This schedule is subject to change
without notice. Please verify your event dates with the Certification Dept. to confirm your course status before making travel plans. Applications are to be
received at least six weeks prior to the seminar/exam or exam. Applications received after that time will be assessed a $395 Fast Track fee. Please verify
application deadline dates by visiting our website at awo.aws.org/seminar-exam-schedule. For information on AWS seminars and certification programs,
or to register online, visit aws.org/certification or call (800/305) 443-9353, ext. 273 for Certification or ext. 455 for Seminars.

38 | INSPECTION TRENDS
 CLASSIFIEDS / ADVERTISER INDEX
Certification QuikCheck
You can easily verify whether someone is a Certified
Welding Inspector by using AWS’s free online certifi-
cation verification services. Go to the AWS website at
aws.org and click on “Certification” at the top of the
homepage. Go to QuikCheck, then type in the person’s
certification number and last name.
ASNT 9
asntcertification.org (800) 222-2768
AWS Administration 37
aws.org (800) 443-9353
California Welding Institute 7
socalwelding.com (951) 536-3809
Carestream 7
www.carestream.com/ndt (888) 777-2072
Fischer Technology 11
fischer-technology.com (860) 683-0781
Flawtech 11
flawtech.com (704) 795-4401
Gal Gage 8
galgage.com (269) 465-5750
Hobart Institute of Welding 8 Triangle Engineering 5
Technology trieng.com (781) 878-1374
welding.org (937) 332-9500
40 | INSPECTION TRENDS
Correction
The February 2022 issue of Inspection Trends
contained the following errors in the feature article
“Comparing CWI and VT Level II Certifications,” as
pointed out to us via email by Brian Frye, NDT techni-
cal specialist/quality manager at the American So-
ciety for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT): On page 23
(right-hand column, mid-page), the article states,
“Three exams are required once the stated train-
ing and experience have both been completed.”
Frye explains, “While this is a good industry prac-
tice, there is no requirement for them to be in
that order. Training, experience, and examina-
tions may be in any order as supported by the writ-
ten practice. ASNT SNT-TC-1A, Personnel Quali-
fication and Certification in Nondestructive Test-
ing, Inquiries 89-6 and 20-06 affirm this. Also, in
that same paragraph and statement, the author
didn’t mention the fourth examination required
for certification, which is the vision examination.”
We thank Frye for his corrections.
IMPACT IFC
ironworkers.org (202) 383-4800
NDT Seals 9
ndtseals.com (713) 222-7584
Olympus OBC
olympus-ims.com/omniscan-x3 Web contact only
Orange County Inspection 12
renewmycert@gmail.com Email contact only
Real Education 15
info@realeducational.com (800) 489-2890
Ridgewater College 13
ridgewater.edu/aws-ndt (320) 234-8500
Sonaspection 12
sonaspection.com (704) 262-3384