Welding is considered as a 'Special Process', which means that its quality cannot be readily verified and its successful application requires specialist management, personnel and procedures above and beyond those that are considered for general quality systems such as ISO 9001. These requirements have led to a number of developments, notably the publication of ISO 3834; 'Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials' (www.iso3834.org).
Welding quality assessments by TWI's welding engineers may include a review of your company's manufacturing process, namely: procedures for review of technical requirements, welding personnel (welders and welding coordinators), inspection and testing, welding equipment, shop floor procedures (e.g. welding procedures, work instructions), welding consumables, storage of materials, identification and traceability, quality records.
The scheme for manufacturer certification is the Welding Fabricator Certification Scheme (WFCS), which is operated by TWI Certification Ltd, a manufacturer certification body accredited by UKAS and authorised by the International Institute of Welding to perform assessments in accordance with ISO 3834. More specifically, to deal with ISO 3834 requirements that are called for welded rail products in BS EN 15085, TWI also manages a separate UKAS accredited scheme for welding of railway vehicles and components
In a competitive industrial world, where the engineering and manufacturing functions are often driven by commercial pressure and delivery timescales. A sound welding quality system is the key to ensuring good control of the manufacturing process.
Our welding engineers are not only quality assessors, their extensive experience in the field will contribute to improvements in the manufacturing process that will increase productivity and reduce costs. They can also help raise the quality of welded products to the level required to enter new market sectors.
The support and consultancy from our welding engineers has proved to be extremely valuable in preparation for formal manufacturer assessment to ISO 3834 and EN 15085.
For more information, email contactus@twi.co.uk.