Catalog Description

Formerly known as WELD 25
Prerequisite: Completion with grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in WELD 5A
Hours: 72 (18 lecture, 54 laboratory)
Description: An expansion of the principles of Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMAW). Provides instruction in welding mild carbon steel groove weld joints in various positions, with backing and open root joints. Prepares students who wish to pursue a career in structural or pipe welding outdoors at various construction sites. (not transferable)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Apply knowledge of safety standards for both a learning environment and work site environment with focus on MMAW and track OFC cutting processes on plate.
  • CSLO #2: Define terms related to this course: open groove, low hydrogen exposure limit, air carbon arc gouging, inclination of axis.
  • CSLO #3: Demonstrate manipulative skills to prepare materials and deposit MMAW in 2G, 3G, 4G positions on carbon steel plate.
  • CSLO #4: Interpret Welding Procedure Specification by performing the correct weldment listed on the WPS.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

72

Outside of Class Hours

36

Total Student Learning Hours

108

Course Objectives

Lecture Objectives
  1. Safety Topics
    1. Describe and compare all types of personal respiration safety devices.
    2. Identify & remediate hazardous fumes and particulate in processed and welded material
    3. Locate Safety Data Sheets and identify key health and environmental hazards
    4. Evaluate safety issues as they pertain to shop safety, industrial safety, and personal safety and apply appropriate safety
    5. Discuss and analyze correct safety practices when using the various types of welding or cutting equipment and general shop equipment such as grinders.
  2. Assessing the weld puddle appearance to adjust Essential Variables During the Welding Process
    1. Identify when and how much each of the following parameters need adjustment based on weld puddle and bead appearance
      1. Current & Arc Force (aka Dig) as needed
      2. Arc length
      3. Direction of travel & travel angle
      4. Work Angle
      5. Travel Speed
      6. Electrode Manipulation
      7. Gas Selection and adjustment as applicable
    2. Identify what factors affect each of the afore mentioned parameters
  3. Application of Welding Mild Steel in Horizontal, Vertical, and Overhead Positions on plate with a backing bar
    1. Discuss, compare and contrast various welding techniques employed when welding in horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions on plate
    2. Apply knowledge of welding in horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions to various joint types
  4. Bench Grinder, Bench Sander, Air Tool Safety and operation
    1. Identify key parts and safety features of bench grinder, bench sander, and/or various air tools
    2. Demonstrate safe use of bench grinder, bench sander, and/or various air tools
    3. List, then compare and contrast various abrasive wheels, discs, and pads and their uses.
    4. Select the correct abrasive for a given task and produce a quality finish
  5. Oxy-Acetylene Cutting Safety
    1. Identify all parts of a Oxy-Acetylene Cutting (OAC) Set-Up
    2. Explain safety features of the OAC components
    3. Enumerate all safe operating procedures for OAC
    4. Demonstrate safe operating procedures for OAC unassisted
    5. Explain where to locate oxygen and acetylene pressure settings for various metal thicknesses
    6. Explain where to locate recommended tip sizes for various metal thicknesses
  6. Oxy-Acetylene Cutting Operation
    1. Demonstrate simple cutting techniques using OAC
      1. Cut a straight line with clean separation and minimal dross
      2. Cut beveled line with clean separation and minimal dross
      3. Pierce and Cut a hole with clean separation and minimal dross
  7. Set Up and Use Advanced Functions on Welding Equipment
    1. Adjust arc force (dig) as needed
    2. Explain how arc force affects the arc and heat input of a weld
    3. Use arc force to weld open root joints
    4. Explain how arc penetration changes based on polarity
    5. Describe which polarity should be used in various situations and explain why
  8. Welding Mild Steel in Horizontal, Vertical, and Overhead Positions with open root plate 
    1. Define keyhole
    2. Draw or explain proper keyhole size and shape
    3. apply effective electrode manipulation to achieve correct metal deposition and placement
    4. Analyze keyhole formation, penetration through the joint, and size.
    5. Make adjustments to welding technique to produce a quality weld bead
    6. Use proper welding techniques when welding in horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions on open root plate to achieve desired penetration
  9. Groove Weld Profiles and Acceptability
    1. Identify the parts of a groove weld
    2. Draw and label the following groove weld profiles in a butt joint
      1. Acceptable profile
      2. Insufficient size (underfill)
      3. Excessive convexity
      4. Undercut
      5. Overlap
      6. Slag inclusion
      7. Incomplete fusion
      8. Included porosity
      9. Cracks
    3. Label which 9 groove weld profiles are desired, acceptable, sometimes unacceptable, and always unacceptable based on severity of discontinuity
  10. Understanding Groove Weld Symbols
    1. Explain the difference between a “weld symbol” and a “welding symbol”
    2. Draw or explain arrow side and other side weld symbols
    3. Match the following groove weld symbols to their corresponding joint configurations
      1. Single Bevel
      2. Double Bevel
      3. Single J
      4. Double J
      5. Single V
      6. Double V
      7. Single U
      8. Double U
    4. Identify all possible combinations of each basic groove weld type and weld joint
      1. Butt Joint: square, bevel, double bevel, J, double J, V, Double V, U, Double U
      2. Tee Joint: square, bevel, double bevel, J, double J
      3. Lap Joint: square, bevel, double bevel, J, double J
      4. Corner Joint: square, bevel, double bevel, J, double J, U, V
    5. Edge Joint: square, bevel, J, U, V
  11. Understanding Groove Welding Symbols
    1. Correctly interpret all aspects of a groove welding symbol
      1. (S) Depth of Bevel; Size or Strength of welds
      2. (E) Groove Weld Size
      3. (A) Groove Weld Angle
      4. (R) Root Opening
    2. Match welding symbol examples to their corresponding joint configuration design
    3. Analyze pros and cons of using each of these combinations on a variety of welding applications
  12. Interpreting Welding Procedure Specifications
    1. Identify the main sections of a Welding Procedure Specification
    2. Identify the individual components of a Welding Procedure Specification and how they relate to producing a weldment that meets industry acceptance criteria
    3. Correctly interpret Welding Procedure Specifications to produce weldments that meet industry acceptance criteria
  13. MMAW on Aluminum and Stainless Steel
    1. Explain the importance of cleaning and cross-contamination
    2. Analyze proper fit up, tacking sequences, and heat distortion issues
    3. Compare and contrast welding thin vs thick aluminum and stainless steel
    4. Explain electrode selection and polarity for welding on Aluminum and Stainless Steel
    5. List pros and cons of using MMAW to weld Aluminum and stainless steel
  14. American Welding Society Specifications of Welding Positions by Degree Range Values
    1. Define rotation of face and inclination of axis
    2. Explain how rotation of face and inclination axis ranges and limits define welding positions for fillet and groove welds independently
  15. Create a resume and cover letter with welding experience listed

Laboratory Objectives


1. Use safe shop practices.

a. Employ the correct use of Personnel Protective Equipment in welding applications.

b. Correctly and safely operate the welding equipment.

2. The following objectives will be applied to all lab projects in section 3.

a. Recall common terminology and concepts used in the application of welding operations and apply tot the lab setting

b. Employ pre-weld metal preparation and apply correct welding parameter adjustment tasks

d. Apply foundational skills to weld carbon steel to industry-based acceptance criteria

e. Apply demonstrated techniques to weld beads with each welding process used in this course on the assigned student projects

3. Apply Manual Metal Arc Welding techniques to successfully complete the following lab assignments;

a. Perform set-up. operation and tear-down of OAC equipment.

b. Cut 2 straight (90 deg.) and 2 22.5 deg. beveled edges with OAC Torch

c. In 2,3, and 4 position. Weld smooth surface beads using E-7018 using stringer beading techniques with 1/8" dia. electrode.

d. 2G Bevel groove joint using E-7018 using stringer beading technique with 1/8" dia. electrode.

e. 3G at 90 deg. inclination of axis. Single-Vee Butt joint using E-7018 using stringer beading technique with 1/8" dia. electrode.

f. 4G at 0 deg. inclination of axis. Single-Vee Butt joint using E-7018 using stringer beading technique with 1/8" dia. electrode.

g. 3G at 90 deg. inclination of axis. Open root square butt joint on 1/8" material using E-6010 3/32"dia. electrode vertical down progression

h. 3G at 90 deg. inclination of axis. Open root square butt joint on 1/8" material using E-6010 3/32" dia. electrode vertical up progression

i. 4G at 0 deg. inclination of axis. Open root square butt joint on 1/8" material using E-6010 3/32"dia. electrode

j. 3G at 30 deg. inclination of axis. Open-root square butt joint on 1/8" material using E-6010 3/32"dia. electrode vertical down progression

k. 4G at 45 deg. inclination of axis. Open-root square butt joint on 1/8" material using E-6010 3/32"dia. electrode vertical up progression

l. 1G at 0 deg. inclination of axis. Open root square butt joint 1/8"

m. Pad weld stainless steel MMAW rod in flat position.

n. Pad weld aluminum MMAW rod in flat position.

o. Perform cleaning operations in lab environment for safe operation of lab equipment.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

            Methods of Evaluation

            • Classroom Discussions
              • Example: Instructor facilitates group discussion on the MMAW open groove techniques for critical out of position welding, with lab application evaluation. Students are evaluated based on participation.
            • Objective Examinations
              • Example: Examination of the definitions of weld discontinuities and interpretation of welding symbols. Students will be evaluated based upon the accuracy of their answers.
            • Skill Demonstrations
              • Example: Lab assignments in each welding position and joint configuration covered in this course. Students' work is evaluated and graded based on industry and AWS weld quality standards.

            Repeatable

            No

            Methods of Instruction

            • Laboratory
            • Lecture/Discussion
            • Distance Learning

            Lab:

            1. With instructor demonstration and oversight, students will apply techniques of position welding to complete lab assignments.
            2. Following class lecture, video presentation, and lab demonstration, instructor will supervise student practice in honing manipulative skills in each welding process application.

            Lecture:

            1. Instructor will lead a lecture and group discussion on the MMAW open groove techniques for critical welding.
            2. Instructor will use slide show presentation, instructor created video, or lecture presentation on a learning platform to teach about best safety practices in the for personal protective equipment, the weld lab environment, and/or tools & equipment. Students will be given a scenario and expected to list the best safety practices that should be employed and explain why they should be used. Students will submit the assignment via text entry, file upload, video or audio recording.

            Distance Learning

            1. Instructor will use slide show presentation, instructor created video, or lecture presentation on a learning platform to teach about best safety practices in the for personal protective equipment, the weld lab environment, and/or tools & equipment. Students will be given a scenario and expected to list the best safety practices that should be employed and explain why they should be used. Students will submit the assignment via text entry, file upload, video or audio recording.

            Typical Out of Class Assignments

            Reading Assignments

            1. Read the chapter in the textbook on using whip and pause technique to weld an open root groove along with provided handout on this lab assignment and be prepared to discuss in class. 2. Read the chapter in the textbook on techniques of Manual Metal Arc Welding with open groove joint to achieve complete weld penetration in order to complete the welding assignment after a classroom discussion. 3. Research electrode manufactures web sites to determine tensile strength, and use to determine proper filler metal - base metal matching.

            Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

            1. Complete the review questions from chapter reading assignment on out of position MMAW. 2. Demonstrate performing various welds on lab assignments during each class meeting from.

            Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

            Required Materials

            • Modern Welding
              • Author: Althouse, Turnquist, Bowditch, Bowditch, & Bowditch
              • Publisher: Goodheart-Wilcox
              • Publication Date: 2020
              • Text Edition: 12th
              • Classic Textbook?:
              • OER Link:
              • OER:
            • Shielded Metal Arc Welding
              • Author: Walker, Polanin
              • Publisher: Goodheart-Willcox
              • Publication Date: 2023
              • Text Edition: 10th
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:

            Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.