2027 AIHEC Student Conference
Welding
AIHEC Welding Technology Competition Objectives:
-
Demonstrate Quality Welding Skills: Produce sound, industry-standard welds using proper techniques and equipment. Follow Safety and Professional Standards: Work safely using correct PPE and professional workplace practices. Manage Time Effectively: Complete quality work within given time limits.
Students Must Bring Their Own Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
-
Eye and Face Protection:
-
Safety glasses must be worn at all times under welding helmets
-
Welding helmet with appropriate ilter lens shade number for the welding
-
process being used
-
-
Body Protection:
-
Flame-resistant clothing suitable for welding processes (no synthetic fabrics)
-
Full-length pants with no cuffs (to prevent spark/slag accumulation)
-
High-top leather safety shoes or boots (steel-toe recommended)
-
-
Hand and Head Protection:
-
o Leather welding gloves in good condition
-
Flame-resistant welder's cap or skull cap worn under helmet
-
Hair must be contained and not exposed
-
Safety Protocol Requirements:
-
Immediate disqualiication will result from:
-
Failure to wear required PPE
-
Removing PPE during welding operations
-
Creating unsafe conditions that endanger self or others
-
Failure to follow judges' safety instructions
-
Competition Procedures:
-
Competitors will have 15 minutes for setup and material preparation
-
Welding time limit is 90 minutes from start signal
-
All work must be completed individually with no outside assistance
-
Competitors must use materials and equipment provided
-
Students may bring their own hand tools (chipping hammers, wire brushes, etc.)
-
Each competitor's welding booth will be assigned randomly
-
Cell phones and electronic devices are prohibited in the competition area
Judging Criteria (Based on AWS Code Standards):
Welds will be evaluated according to AWS welding code standards with tighter-thannormal tolerances (100 points total):
-
Visual Inspection (30 points): Weld appearance, uniformity, bead profile, and overall workmanship
-
Dimensional Accuracy (25 points): Adherence to welding procedure speciications and dimensional tolerances
-
Weld Quality (30 points): Penetration depth, fusion quality, and absence of defects including porosity, cracks, undercut, overlap, or incomplete fusion
-
Safety and Professionalism (15 points): Continuous safety compliance, workspace organization, proper equipment use, and professional conduct
Note: All welds are evaluated objectively using measurable criteria, not subjective opinions. Judges use welding inspection tools and gauges for consistent, defendable scoring.
Students will be judged on three types of welds. Students receiving the top scores for each level will proceed to the next highest level, with Level 3 being the highest and last level. The judges’ decisions are final.
Level 1
Square-groove weld, butt joint, vertical position, up
-
6010 1/8 root pass
-
7018 3/32
-
3 bead cover pass
Level 2
Fillet weld, lap joint, overhead position
-
6010 1/8 rod, all overhead
Level 3
Plate on a 3” pipe (pipe is 1 – 1 ½” inches)
-
6010 1/8 rod, all overhead
-
Various positions assigned randomly. Each student will perform one weld from the following (description of each on following page):
-
1F (flat position, rotated): the assembly is positioned at approximately 45° and rotated.
-
2F (horizontal, fixed): the pipe axis is vertical, and the joint is in the horizontal fixed position.
-
2FR (horizontal, rotated): the pipe axis is horizontal, and the assembly is rotated as welding progresses.
-
4F (overhead, fixed):t he pipe axis is vertical, and the joint is in the overhead position.
-
5F (multiple, fixed): the pipe axis is horizontal, and welding is done in the overhead, vertical, and flat positions.
-
6F (multiple, fixed): the pipe axis is approximately 45° and welding is done in the overhead, horizontal, and flat positions.