PREFACE

Welding Processes and Practices was prepared to complement welding programs of postsecondary and vocational schools. The text is a balanced blend of process theory and practical application exercises. It is designed to challenge and inspire the student. The authors have emphasized neither the theoretical nor the practical portion at the expense of the other. The two have been blended to help create not only a skilled welder but a knowledgeable one as well.

Welding Processes and Practices is intended for beginning students in postsecondary and vocational and technical schools as well as for practicing welders who wish to increase their knowledge of welding theory and application. The book combines classroom theory and shop practice to promote an understanding of the major welding processes. It will help a student to master the skills specified in the portions of the text that describe welding procedures. Since each section begins with basic process theory and moves on to practical exercises that become increasingly more difficult, the book is ideally suited for students at all levels. Beginning students should practice all the lessons, but the more advanced students may omit the earlier lessons and progress to the more difficult exercises. Each of the process sections has a similar chapter sequence. Students should find this helpful in locating information they wish to retrieve.

Each section of the book is meant to stand alone. It is not necessary to follow any particular sequence or rotation. The process sections may be taught in whatever sequence is chosen by the instructor. Each section begins with the history and development of the process, followed by chapters on process basics, equipment basics, and system operation. The text presents advantages, disadvantages, as well as troubleshooting. Safety is stressed throughout the sections and is highlighted by color printing of the sentences containing precautionary information. Objectives are specified at the beginning of each lesson, and theory questions, based on lesson objectives, are given at the end of each section. Section I of the book covers general theory, each of the others a single process. These sections on processes are complete in themselves and can be taught independently of one another.

Every effort has been made to provide the student and instructor with technically correct information on each of the processes selected for this book. The drawings and photographs have been carefully chosen and prepared to help the student understand the material. Commonly used terms and expressions are identified and defined in each section, but American Welding Society terms and definitions are followed throughout.

Each chapter has been written in easily understood language that will not discourage the beginning student. Yet the contents provide enough background and scientific explanations to motivate the more advanced students to seek more knowledge about welding. Instructors can use the text for reading assignments and as a supplement to weld theory classes.

The practical exercises lead students through proven, step-by-step procedures designed to make them proficient in the manual application of the welding process. Each practical exercise, and procedure, outlines the equipment and material necessary to do the exercise. Safety is stressed throughout. Proper techniques are graphically emphasized in the drawings and photographs. Exercises begin with basic steps and progress to more difficult techniques. This text is competency-based and may be used in either fixed-time or celf-paced instructional programs.