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How Important are Standardized Weld Symbols?

BY LYNDSEY DECKARD
I work for the Vehicle Division of a large engineering consulting company involved in rail passenger transportation. We act as an extension of the customers staff. The customers normally are local, city, or state transportation authorities. Virtually every part of the structure of rail passenger vehicles is welded. Resistance spot welds, seam welds, ring welds, plug welds, fillet, and groove welds make up the vast majority of structural joints. The variety of processes and applications make the use of clear and consistent weld/welding symbols imperative. The fact is that most passenger rail vehicles used in this country are manufactured by foreign companies. The structural car bodies, or shells, are frequently fabricated in Italy, Spain, Austria, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, with major components such as end underframes fabricated in Poland and elsewhere. There is little doubt in my mind that we will soon also see China become a player in this mix. Since transportation authorities in the United States generally order the vehicle acquisitions we help procure, the welding standards are always required to be those of the American Welding Society. This sounds reasonable and appropriate; however, we are frequently confronted with a manufacturer, either overseas or a foreign manufacturer with a facility located in this country, who tries to convince us that the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), Deutsches Institut fr Normung (DIN), or some other welding standards normally used by that car builder are superior to, and should be accepted in lieu of, AWS standards. I never argue the superiority of one system over another. While one could elect to devote an enormous amount of time requiring translations of these standards including the copious references included in each that refer to additional standards that would also require translation, submittal and comparison to AWS standards would not resolve the issue. Other factors must be considered: not least among these are differences in weld/welding symbols. The components of the symbols in some cases vary from AWS symbols and the exact AWS meaning of those components. (Arrow side and other side are an example of these differences.) The point here is not that one system or standard is superior to the others, but rather that it is critically important that a single system of standards be used universally on an individual project. Logic tells us that the appropriate system is the one the contract requires. The goal of any information shown on drawings is to accurately and clearly convey the information at the necessary level of detail. This will provide the clarity and consistency for the car builder, subcontractors, welders, inspectors, and end customers who will be maintaining and repairing these vehicles. Following is an excerpt from AWS A2.4:2007, Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination, that explains weld and welding symbols.

Fig. 1 Weld symbols.

Fig. 2 Supplementary symbols.

Fig. 3 Standard location of the elements of a welding symbol.

Lyndsey Deckard (Deckard@pbworld.com) is Quality Manager of the Vehicle Division of Parsons Brinckerhoff Transit & Rail Systems Inc. He is an AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector, an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, and a member of the AWS Certification Committee, Examination Question Bank Subcommittee, and Ethics Subcommittee. 10 INSPECTION TRENDS

3.1 Distinction between Weld Symbol and Welding Symbol. This standard makes the distinction between the terms weld symbol and welding symbol. The weld symbol indicates the type of weld and, when used, is a part of the welding symbol. 3.2 Basis of Reference. In the present system, the joint is the basis of reference. The arrow side is the side of the joint to which the arrow of the symbol points. The other side is the side of the joint opposite the arrow side. 3.3 Weld Symbols. Weld symbols shall be as shown in Figure 1. The symbols shall be drawn in contact with the reference line. 3.4 Supplementar y Welding Symbols. Supplementary symbols to be used in connection with welding symbols shall be as shown in Figure 2. 3.5 Welding Symbols. A welding symbol may consist of several elements (see Figure 3). Only the reference line and the arrow are required elements. Additional elements may be included to convey specific welding information. Alternatively, welding information may be conveyed by other means such as by drawing notes or details, specifications, standards, codes, or other drawings, which eliminates the need to include the corresponding elements in the welding symbol. The tail of the symbol is used for designating the welding, brazing, and cutting process as well as the welding or brazing specifications, procedures, or the supplementary information to be used in making the weld or braze. The process; identification of the filler metal that is to be used; whether peening, backgouging, or other operations are required; and other pertinent data should be known. The notation to be placed in the tail of the symbol indicating these data is usually established by the user. All elements, when used, shall have specific locations within the welding symbol as shown in Figure 3. Mandatory requirements regarding each element in a welding symbol refer to the location of the element and should no be interpreted as a necessity to include the element in every welding symbol. 3.6 Placement of the Welding Symbol. The arrow of the welding symbol shall point to a line, location, or area that conclusively identifies the joint, location, or area to be welded. 3.7 Illustrations. The examples given, including the dimensions, are illustrative only and are intended to demonstrate the proper application of drafting practices. They are not intended to represent design practices or to replace code or specification requirements.