Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This is an outcome based course utilizing a lecture/lab format. This course includes classroom discussions, videotapes, and lab demonstrations of technical skills.  Course outcomes will include: theoretical concepts, layout, fabrication, welding, oxy-fuel cutting and safety.

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Function safely in the PCC Welding Lab.
• Operate oxy-fuel portable and track cutting systems in accordance with industry standards.
• Understand and apply fundamentals of SMAW E7018 operations.
• Interpret blueprints to accurately lay out, prepare, and assemble weld joints.
• Weld common joint assemblies with the E7018 electrode to AWS D1.1 Structural Steel Welding Code.

• Operate an CAC-A (Carbon Arc Cutting - Air) system in accordance with industry standards.

• Apply visual examination principles and practices in accordance with AWS D1.1.

Welding lec/lab courses are Open Entry and Open Exit (OE/OE) and are offered concurrently. Courses are designed to meet the needs of the students with flexible scheduling options.  Students may attend full time or part time. This is an OE/OE course which does not align with the normal academic calendar.

The student will be assessed on his/her ability to demonstrate the development of course outcomes. The methods of assessment may include one or more of the following: oral or written examinations, quizzes, written assignments, visual inspection, welding tests and task performance.   

Function safely in the PCC Welding Shop.

• Understand and practice personal safety by using proper protective gear
• Understand and practice power tool safety
• Understand and practice equipment safety for welding and oxy-fuel cutting systems
• Understand and maintain a safe work area
  • Recognize and report dangerous electrical and air/gas hose connections
  • Understand and practice fire prevention

Operate oxy-fuel portable and track cutting systems in accordance with industry standards.

• Demonstrate correct setup and shutdown procedures for the hand cutting and track cutting systems.
• Perform oxy-fuel cutting with guided practice.

Understand and apply fundamentals of SMAW E7018 Operations.

• Describe and demonstrate equipment setup, shut down, and operation

• Identify  Electrode Characteristics
• Demonstrate proper Arc Length and Travel speed
• Demonstrate correct starting, stopping and restarting techniques
• Demonstrate proper bead placement

Interpret blueprints to accurately lay out, prepare, and assemble weld joints.

• Interpret lines, symbols, views and notes
• Lay out material per specifications
• Use the oxy-fuel cutting process to cut material to specified dimensions
• Assemble project per specifications

Weld common joint assemblies with the E7018 electrode to AWS D1.1 Structural Steel Welding Code in the following joint configurations and positions.

• Vertical position.
  • Lap joint
  • Single V-groove
• Overhead position

  • Bead plate

  • T-joint
  • Lap joint
  • Single V-groove

Operate a Carbon Arc Cutting - Air system (CAC-A) in accordance with industry standards.

• Demonstrate correct setup and shutdown procedures
• Adjust current and air pressure for size of electrode being used
• Explain CAC-A electrode shapes and their uses
• Demonstrate the effects of the following variables: electrode angle, amperage setting, air pressure, and travel speed
• Demonstrate correct CAC-A gouging techniques on steel

Apply visual examination principles and practices in accordance with AWS D1.1.

• Evaluate welds using appropriate welding inspection tools
• Assess weld discontinuities causes and corrections