Have you ever been curious about structural welding? What is Structural Welding? and what does being a structural welder entail?
You can now learn how to create the foundations of buildings. All the tall skyscrapers you see in city areas have used structural welders to begin their process.
You’ll be responsible for a sturdy and reliable structure. At the beginning of the process, it won’t be easy, but as you continue your journey you’ll find yourself improving with each step.
What Is Structural Welding?
If you’re a structural welder you create the metal framework with most buildings. This means you’ll have to cut, repair beams and girders. You’ll be placed in construction companies or manufacturing companies.
You’re going to have hands-on experience to be in charge of the outline of each building. Reading blueprints is one thing, but you’ll have to carry out each step into reality. Whether is it monitoring other team members or working with others finalizing a building will be a long process.
Educational Requirements
Depending on your employer, welders can be hired in different ways. Some employers will prefer to hire a welder that completed technical training. The top-rated best beginners' welder usually showcases a set of formal training. These skills will be shown through the accredited skill sets of chemistry, shop, and metallurgy.
To be set apart on your resume you want to make sure that you have experience from an academic standpoint. For employers, candidates who are great at mathematics and mechanical drawing can stand out in an interview.
What Is Structural Welding? Skills Needed
Are you up for the challenge? Welding is a rewarding job, but it takes an immense amount of patience. The crucial skill is to understand how to read and identify blueprints. These blueprints will be the foundation for each building. For structural welding, you need to pay close attention to each detail.
Since the structure of the building is how a building first begins the material will be heavy.
You need to be cautious at all times, by wearing a harness or other gear when you’re placed at a high height.
Physical strength and endurance alongside hand-coordination is a great addition for welders.
Structural Welding Job Duties
For each position, your job duties will vary. The immediate tasks of a welder are similar across every industry. You’ll be testing different forms of equipment and ensure the sturdiness of everything. Once you’re done reading the blueprints you want to continue to gather the tools necessary to do the job. The tools will include welding torches, and jigs.
When you’re completed with your job duties, cleaning up is just as important as welding. You want to grind, clean, or polish the area. If you choose to apply additional heat then make sure a supervisor is there to inspect your work.
Job Outlook
Do you see yourself exploring different job placements? Welding is perfect because welding can be integrated into any industry. There are various opportunities in the skilled trades industry. Since most buildings are pre-planned workers can find a job easily.
Infrastructure opportunities provide welders with a range of options to choose from. They love choosing from top-rated TIG welders and top-quality MIG welders. Specific to structural welding, job opportunities will be impacted by people needing to train and for those who can relocate.
Study Blueprints
Studying blueprints is an essential part of structural welding.
You are responsible for the sturdiness and longevity of the building, so you want to make sure you’re knowledgeable about every detail.
To engage in blueprints you want to be able to perform math and measurement skills.
For the mathematical portion, you’ll be mostly dealing with decimal fractions and common fractions. You’ll need to know the lines and views on the blueprints as well as the weld joints needed to place the building together.
Organize Effectively
Organization is a key factor in carrying out a blueprint. Without the proper steps, the building can dangerously collapse. You want to begin by facilitating a challenging, yet cohesive workforce. Welding is all about teamwork if one person on the team isn’t doing what they’re supposed to it could affect your entire workspace.
You want to make sure that you’re being attentive to the position you have. Partnering is an important part of staying organized. Always seek to develop new skills and improve the value of mechanical solutions.
Weld Proficiently
You want to operate your equipment to make sure you have a safe environment. The best arc welders will be responsible to make the base material of electricity. Structural welders depend on skyscrapers or bridges so you want to rely on the welds that fit the structure. There are people outside of the welding industry that’ll depend on you.
Electricians and ironworkers will work with the structure that you focused on. You want to be confident and work with your skills in full force. When you’re placed in positions such as unpredictable weather environments or high scaffolding you want to be prepared and put your best foot forward.
Maintain Safety
You want to look at your surroundings at all times. Take an overview or your surrounding to prevent any injuries. Structural welders often work with steel beams and this can cause burns, cuts, and falls.
It is your duty to make sure you’re wearing all the equipment you need. You want to make sure you’re wearing hardhats and harnesses to ensure safety. Also for those who went through training programs, it’ll increase your knowledge on how to improve your chances of safety.
FAQs
1. What kind of welding is structural?
Stick welding and self-shielded flux-cored arc welding (FCAW-S) are the most often used techniques in the field for structural steel welding, whereas gas-shielded flux-cored arc welding (FCAW-G) and submerged arc welding (SAW) are employed for structural steel welding indoors.
2. What is a structural welder and what are their job duties?
Structural welders are responsible for designing, layout, and fabrication of industrial and commercial buildings' metal frameworks. They provide services to a wide range of businesses, including manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction. Structural welders are also responsible for evaluating the equipment's condition.
3. How do I become a structural welder?
A welding certification is required to work as a structural welder. Welding certificates are earned through a hands-on examination of welding methods, which a welding inspector monitors to ensure that your work meets all applicable codes. Certifications exist for many types of welds and metals.
4. How dangerous is structural welding?
Due to the inherent dangers of structural welding, safety is critical. While working, you will be required to move heavy beams and welding equipment and bend, kneel and reach. Additionally, you may be required to work outside in inclement weather or difficult positions.
5. What is meant by structural steel?
Structural steel is a type of steel that is used to fabricate a variety of construction products. The majority of structural steel geometries, such as I-beams, have a large second moment of area, indicating that they are extremely stiff in their cross-sectional area and capable of supporting a high load without undue sagging.
