Welder Testing

VIU welder testing facility 

• booths set up with individual fume extractors and welding stands
• new inverter type welding machines that can be set up with a variety of consumables for a range of procedures SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, dual shield or flux core
• machining equipment for preparation and testing of welding coupons
• experienced staff supervisors available to assist

Canadian Welding Bureau test in SMAW, FCAW and GMAW

Monthly CWB testing

Fees reflect non-company sponsored tests.

Prerequisites

• be prepared to present welding certification cards to CWB inspector
• personal protection equipment required (PPE):
  • CSA approved steel toe work boots
  • personal eye protection
  • wear 100% cotton or wool or fire retardant material
  • welding jacket or sleeves
  • welding gloves

CWB plate test

• 45 minutes per plate – 5/16 maximum leg length
• 1/8” maximum build up – 1/32” maximum undercut
• use run off tabs – wire wheel on grinder allowed
• no defacing of stamped area – stops and starts must be observed
• electrode sizes 3/32”, 1/8”, 5/32” usage – no using any grinders or files for metal removal

Guidelines for passing CWB welder test

• no chipping hammer marks or stray arcs on plate
• fill in the craters at the end of the grove weld
• do not build weld up more than 3mm (1/8”) above the surface of the plate
• no grinder, saw blades, files or tools for metal removal are allowed
• ensure that you do not weave up against the square cut plate, always point to the square cut plate when welding to it
• you are required to make stop/starts as directed by the CWB representative. Ensue that stop/starts are welded correctly

Stop/start technique

Using SMAW, restart the arc ahead of the crater, move back to the crater, fill it and continue to weld.

• using FCAW, restart in the centre of the weld crater
• the second pass must touch the beveled plate
• technique for the fill passes is up to the welder, but it is generally considered easier with less chance of leaving a defect in the weld if stringer passes are used. The vertical position may be an exception
• the legs of the fillet weld must not vary in size by more than 1.5mm (1/16”)
• fillets size weld is 8mm (5/16”) maximum (this means that you can put on a 5mm (3/16”), 6mm (1/4”) or 8mm (5/16”) fillet weld)
• if attempting three passes in the root area, make sure enough room is left to fuse the third pass to the backup strip

Booth rental/upgrading for ASME or CWB test

Available Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 2:15 pm

Student CWB testing

Current in session student rate is $150 per plate to maximum of two (2) plates on class test day. 

Students must be in session at time of booking. Pending students' are at the instructors discretion.

Scheduling welder testing and booth rentals

To schedule welder testing and booth rentals contact the welding tool room at WeldTest@viu.ca.

Please provide:

• First name, middle name, last name
• Mailing address (where the test report will be sent)
• Contact phone number
• Whether the welder or company will be paying
• Which process is welder testing for: SMAW (stick) – FCAW (flux/wire) – GMAW (mig)