September 2012 1

Guidelines for the Use of VWTS -Guidelines for the Use of VWTS -Virtual Welding Training Systems Virtual Welding Training Systems

Duisburg, 27 September 2012

Klaus Middeldorf

September 2012 2

Modern Concepts of Welding Training

Theoretical training

Practical training in the welder's booth

Welding training supported by VWTS

Test pieces / real applications

Welding Training in the Future?

September 2012 3

Welding Training in the Future?Welding Training in the Future?

All steps are continuously linked and flexibly mixed.

… to continuously move between the „virtual“ and the „real“ world …

September 2012 4

Why VWTS?

Supporting welding training in real processes by using VWTS

The use of VWTS is a good tool to improve welding training by constantly monitoring the status of the training and reacting to the individual training progress of each participant

September 2012 5

VWTS are just as important as real training facilities

VWTS supplement welding training in the welder's booth

Why VWTS?Why VWTS?

September 2012 6

Advantages Due to the Integration of VWTS:

Training of individual skills, supported by interactive indications

Direct feedback in real time

Individual training speed and level

New methodological-didactic possibilities

Team orientation and teamwork

Benefits by using VWTS?Benefits by using VWTS?

September 2012 7

Objective analysis and assessment

Continuous documentation of the welding results

Additional observation possibilities of the trainer (posture, physical stress and ergonomics)

Improvement in the quality of the welder training

Benefits by using VWTS?Benefits by using VWTS?

Advantages (continued)

September 2012 8

Benefits by using VWTS?Benefits by using VWTS?

The real benefits of the use of VWTS are

the improvement of the quality of training and

the new and modern attitute which can be given to welding training.

September 2012 9

IAB 089 International Welders

IAB 252 International Welding Engineers,Technologists, Specialists and

Practitioners (Personnel with Qualification for Welding Coordination)

IIW Rules considering VWTS

September 2012 10

In the case of the Personnel for Welding Coordination, there is merely the following indication for the practical training of Welding Engineers, Welding Technologists and Welding Specialists:

It is possible to use the advantage of Virtual Welding Training Systems but for a maximum of 50% of the practical training hours.

IAB 252 and VWTS?

September 2012 11

In contrast to IAB 252, there is a detailed description in the case of the Welder:

There are many intelligent computer-aided welding simulation systems available.

If an existing welding simulation system is suitable for use in welding training sessions for a special process, it has to be approved by the ANB (Authorised National Body).

In the case of an approved simulation system, the ATB (Authorised Training Body) can decide if it will use it.

IAB 089 and VWTS?

September 2012 12

The recommended training hours depend on each system and may be different from one system to another.

The decision about the range of utilisation is up to the ATB.

Maximum time allocated: up to 20% of the practical training hours in Modules 1 to 4.

(Explanation: These modules encompass the International Fillet Welder and the International Plate Welder. The International Pipe Welder with Modules 5 and 6 is thus not included in this regulation.)

IAB 089 and VWTS?

September 2012 13

… to concentrate on the implementation of VWTSin welders‘ training

Task

How to implement these general rules in IAB 089 concerning VWTS?

Implementation of VWTS

September 2012 14

DVS 1108-1 Guideline (in German)

Use of VWTS in the course of computer-based welding training in DVS training bodies

Draft for public discussion in October 2012

Why do we need such a guideline / further guidelines?

Implementation of VWTS

September 2012 15

Basic Requirements

Requirements

Involvement of DVS Welding Trainer / …

Involvement of DVS Bodies

Implementation of VWTS in training schedules of welding coordinators

List of Contents DVS 1108-1

September 2012 16

In general:

1 Welding Trainer – max. 6 VWTS – max. 3 Trainees each

1 Welding Trainer – max. 12 Trainees (VWTS + practical training)

Requirements according to DVS 1108-1

Basic Requirements (1)

September 2012 17

In general:

6 m2 per VWTS

VWTS to be used on the shop floor or in the classroom

Requirements according to DVS 1108-1

Basic Requirements (2)

September 2012 18

Requirements to be fullfilled by VWTS used in DVStraining bodies

Welding torches close to reality should be utilised.

While the exercise is being carried out, it is necessary to provide auxiliary functions which already give corrective indications during the exercise sequence.

The systems should offer an evaluation which shows the quality of the performance of the welding task.

It should be possible to save the evaluations.

Requirements according to DVS 1108-1

Requirements (1)

September 2012 19

The devices should provide one or more of the following welding processes: gas-shielded metal arc welding (GMAW), gas-shielded tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and manual metal arc welding (MMAW).

The systems utilised in Germany should be offered in German or in other language options / training languages.

The system must permit torch positions which can portray the welding positions to be trained according to

Modules 1 to 4 of the DVS-IIW 111 guideline. Requirements according to DVS 1108-1

Requirements (2)

September 2012 20

Different degrees of difficulty should be available by setting tolerance ranges.

The welding results should be reproduced as the representation of a weld or using evaluable graphics.

The systems should bear a CE mark.

Requirements according to DVS 1108-1

Requirements (3)

September 2012 21

Additional Requirements to be fullfilled by VWTS used in DVS training bodies

Self-explanatory menu structure

Replay functions

Various evaluation types

Different representations of weld types

e-learning functions (theoretical contents and tests)

Setting stipulations for exercise purposes (gas, current, voltage etc.)

Requirements according to DVS 1108-1

Requirements (4)

September 2012 22

Use of a welder's helmet

Flexible utilisation location (training room or workshop)

Networking in the case of several systems

Variable training stipulations (speed, distance etc.)

Flexible working positions / working heights

Interfaces to computers (VGA, USB etc.)

Requirements according to DVS 1108-1

Requirements (5)

September 2012 23

Involvement of Welding Trainers

Now we have a first guideline …

It gives some help to those who organise and run welding training

The key questions are:

How to involve Welding Trainers

How to install VWTS as a prerequisite for modern welding training

September 2012 24

creating a further set of guidelines (Be aware: guidelines don‘t solve problems, they only can help to deal with problems)

Welding trainers need curricula, which tell them exactly how to use VWTS in welding training

What‘s next?

September 2012 25

Installing VWTS as a prerequisite for modern welding training

DVS 1108 DVS 1102 Planning and Setting-Up ofDVS Course Centres

… to involve quality management auditors …

What‘s next?

September 2012 26

Involving Welding Trainers

DVS 1108 DVS 1154 Advanced Training of DVSWelding Practitioner and DVS WeldingInstructors

(DVS 1108 DVS 1157 DVS Course for DVS WeldingPractitioner)

DVS 1108 DVS 1112 Intercompany Trainee Instruction (in the crafts sector)

What‘s next?

September 2012 27

A first DVS guideline is out for public discussion

Further needs for guidelines are identified

…

Summary

Thank you very muchThank you very muchfor your attention!for your attention!

Looking forward to Looking forward to meeting you all in meeting you all in Essen 2013 …Essen 2013 …