Putting inductance on a WPS

[kingnero]

While this is not a necessity, I have a case where I would like to give some guidance to the welders about the inductance setting on a MAG welding procedure.

Problem is, the setting is dependant on the make of the machine. Some settings are analogue (think different connectors for the return lead), others have a pot meter with rages from 0 to 5, or from -10 to +10, others can be set digitally.

Has somebody else ever bothered to try to put this on paper, taking into account a WPS can be used with different machines?


Same question for balance when AC GTAW welding, each make has its own (more or less arbitrarily chosen) scale. Do you guys have a way to put this on paper, or do you let the welders choose this themselves? Again, I am aware this is not an essential variable in euro codes (and most likely same for ASME).

 

[weldstan]

Many years ago, I did but then it was pretty much inductance on or off. When I qualified the procedure with inductance on, I stated so on the WPS. If the procedure was qualified with inductance off, I did not mention it on the WPS.

 

[kingnero]

0/I is indeed an option I had not yet considered. Thanks for your input!

 

[gtaw]

Many of the GMAW power supplies manufactured in the 60's and 70's included a third knob to fine tune the inductance. Most welders can handle two variables, but add a third knob and confusion reigns. Now most manufacturers used fixed inductance or they will include two lugs in addition to a lug for the work lead. Each lug provides different inductance (high and low)for semi-automatic applications. The welder selects the lug that satisfies their needs or preference.

Some of the newer inverter power supplies intended for robotic installation may include variable inductance. The service technician sets the welding variables and the robot goes to work. The secret is to keep the “welder” out of the loop unless he has receive instruction that is beyond what is taught in a typical welding course.

If inductance is a variable that can be set, there is no reason it cannot be added to the WPS. Remember, unless the customer is an idiot, the variables listed or required by a welding standard are considered to be the minimum information that must be listed by the WPS. Generally there is nothing in the welding standard that prohibits the WPS to list one particular power supply or additional information.

There are exceptions, I recently had a project where the contractor providing quality oversight insisted that a particular preprinted format be used for the WPS. They wouldn't accept a WPS with any additional information. "If the form doesn't provide a space for it, we don't want it listed!"

Stupid is as stupid does.


Best regards - Al