HSM staff demonstrate welding expertise

A number of our staff have demonstrated expertise in their field by passing welding codings in recent weeks. Codings are professional qualifications that certify that a welder is competent to perform specific types of welds to a regulated standard. 

We ensure our welders meet the minimum standard - BS EN ISO 9606-1 and 2  - to comply with defence contracts that we fulfil for a number of valued customers. This demonstrates our commitment to customer excellence as well as investing in the skills of our team.

We also undertake coding for customer-specific materials and applications and keep an up-to-date matrix. We first have to create a weld procedure and then the welders are tested to gain approval.

To become coded, a welder must complete a Welder Approval Test, which is a physical demonstration of skill. The test comprises:

The Test Piece: The welder joins two pieces of metal (usually pipe or plate) using a specific process (like TIG, MIG,).

The Parameters: The test is done in a specific position (e.g., overhead, vertical, or flat), on a specific material (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum), and at a specific thickness.

Inspection: The finished weld is sent to a laboratory for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), such as X-rays or ultrasonic testing, and Destructive Testing, where the weld is literally bent or snapped to ensure it holds.

Certification: If it passes, the welder receives a certificate for those exact parameters.

Our thanks go to Ultramag Inspection Services for their continued support. Three of our welders have passed their codings so far. Well done to Mark Searle, Stuart Fall, Xavier Cook  who successfully passed their tests first-time, demonstrating their excellence in welding.

Coding is important and required for "safety-critical" jobs where a weld failure could be catastrophic. In terms of the work we undertake for a range of defence customers, this comprises projects including:

Submarine components: Our precision-engineered components withstand the harsh environments while maintaining optimal functionality, contributing to the health and safety capabilities of submarines.

Air filtration systems: We work with the MOD to produce components for air filtration systems that provide effective purification of air within a range of armoured personnel vehicles; essential for maintaining optimal performance and crew health in enclosed environments.

Military electronics enclosures and casings: We utilise state-of-the-art CNC technology to ensure that each enclosure is precisely crafted; these enclosures are critical for protecting sensitive electronic components from environmental factors, electromagnetic interference and mechanical impacts.

Assembly work: Our expertise in assembly work ensures the precise fitting and integration of components, guaranteeing optimal functionality and performance.

Welding coding requires regular recertification to ensure the skills are maintained. We retest our welders to keep their qualifications up-to-date and to ensure full compliance with our contracts and commitments.

HSM Operations Manager Tony Molloy manages our welders’ ongoing certification programme with the help of our Quality Manager. Tony said: “Our team is exceptional and highly skilled in what they do. They all passed their codings with flying colours, demonstrating their ability to complete sensitive and important work with precision and skill.”

Find out more about our involvement with the defence sector, and get in touch if you have a defence project you’d like to discuss with us.

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