§ Blog
AWS D1.1:2025, WPS, PQR — without the jargon.
Practical guides for the people writing, signing, and auditing welding procedure specifications. No fluff, no SEO filler — just what you need to ship a code-compliant WPS faster.
- 7 min readAWS D1.1Arc Strikes
Repairing arc strikes on structural steel under AWS D1.1:2025
Arc strikes outside the weld zone create hard spots and are a fabrication nonconformance. AWS D1.1:2025 repair sequence, inspection after removal, and documentation requirements.
Read article → - 6 min readPreheatAWS D1.1
AWS D1.1 preheat verification: field methods and records
How CWIs verify and document preheat compliance under AWS D1.1:2025 — comparing thermocrayons, contact pyrometers, and the inspection records required during production welding.
Read article → - 7 min readSAWFlux
SAW flux handling and moisture control: what the WPS must specify
How to document SAW flux handling, drying, and reconditioning cycles in a D1.1-compliant WPS program — shelf life, oven temp, and what the inspector checks.
Read article → - 6 min readAWS D1.3sheet steel
AWS D1.3: WPS for Cold-Formed Sheet Steel
AWS D1.3 governs structural welding of cold-formed sheet steel. Learn WPS requirements, prequalified joints, and key differences from AWS D1.1.
Read article → - 7 min readAWS D1.1weld backing
Weld Backing Types: Steel, Ceramic, Flux AWS D1.1
Steel bar, ceramic, and flux backing each affect WPS essential variables and CJP quality. AWS D1.1:2025 requirements for choosing and documenting weld backing.
Read article → - 6 min readAWS D1.1existing structures
Welding on Existing Structures: AWS D1.1 Clause 8
AWS D1.1:2025 Clause 8 sets specific rules for strengthening and repairing in-service structures. Here's what CWIs and fabricators need to know.
Read article → - 6 min readWPSbase metal
Mill certificate review for WPS base metal compliance
How CWIs and QC managers verify that mill test reports confirm base metal identity, chemistry, and mechanical properties before welding begins.
Read article → - 6 min readNDEUT
UT acceptance criteria for structural welds: AWS D1.1:2025
AWS D1.1:2025 UT acceptance thresholds depend on structure load type and the d-value amplitude rating. What CWIs and fabricators need to know.
Read article → - 6 min readAWS D1.1fabrication
Weld access holes in structural fabrication: AWS D1.1:2025
AWS D1.1:2025 geometry and surface finish requirements for weld access holes and cope cuts. What your WPS, shop drawings, and CWI inspection must address.
Read article → - 7 min readWPSAWS D1.1
Cold weather welding requirements under AWS D1.1:2025
When ambient temperature drops below 32°F, AWS D1.1:2025 adds requirements beyond standard preheat. What your WPS, site procedures, and inspector hold points must cover.
Read article → - 7 min readNDERT
RT acceptance criteria for structural welds under AWS D1.1:2025
AWS D1.1:2025 radiographic testing acceptance criteria explained: porosity limits, slag inclusions, cracks, incomplete fusion, and what the RT report must document for audit.
Read article → - 6 min readWPSAWS D1.1
Weld-through primer on structural steel: WPS documentation requirements
Fab shops welding over zinc-rich or weld-through primer must qualify the coating and document it on the WPS. Here is what AWS D1.1:2025 requires and how audits expose gaps.
Read article → - 6 min readASME IXPQR
ASME Section IX Variable Types: Essential vs Nonessential
QW-250 through QW-290 define three variable types for each welding process in ASME Section IX. Which changes require a new PQR, and which only require a WPS amendment?
Read article → - 6 min readASME IXWelder Qualification
ASME Section IX Welder Qualification: QW-322 Explained
QW-322 governs when ASME Section IX welder qualifications expire: the six-month rule, how to renew qualification, and how it compares to AWS D1.1.
Read article → - 5 min readAWS D1.5bridge welding
AWS D1.5 bridge welding WPS: how it differs from D1.1
DOT and AASHTO bridge projects run under AWS D1.5, not D1.1. Key differences in WPS qualification, fracture-critical members, and essential variables.
Read article → - 5 min readAWS D1.1CJP
Steel Backing Removal on CJP Groove Welds: When Required
AWS D1.1 permits steel backing to remain on statically loaded CJP welds but mandates removal for demand-critical and cyclically loaded connections. Here's when and how.
Read article → - 6 min readAWS D1.1stud welding
AWS D1.1 Stud Welding: Clause 7 Requirements
Clause 7 of AWS D1.1:2025 governs drawn-arc and capacitor-discharge stud welding — qualification, production control testing, and acceptance criteria.
Read article → - 5 min readstud weldingAWS D1.1
Stud welding under AWS D1.1: WPS and qualification basics
Arc stud welding for composite deck follows AWS D1.1 Clause 7, not the process chapters. Here's what qualifies the procedure and what production tests to run.
Read article → - 6 min readgalvanized steelWPS
Welding galvanized structural steel: WPS requirements
Zinc coatings introduce porosity risk and fume hazard on structural welds. Here's how to address coating condition in your WPS and production prep.
Read article → - 6 min readWPSAWS D1.1
WPS Responsibility: Fabricator, Contractor, or Engineer?
AWS D1.1 places WPS responsibility on the fabricator. Learn how contracts blur the lines between fab shop, general contractor, and engineer of record.
Read article → - 4 min readASME IXQW-451
ASME IX QW-451 thickness and position qualification ranges
QW-451 maps your PQR coupon thickness to the base metal range your WPS covers. Here's how the table works and how to plan a cost-effective PQR program.
Read article → - 5 min readback gougingCJP
Back gouging on WPS: AWS D1.1 requirements for CJP welds
For two-sided CJP groove welds, AWS D1.1 requires back gouging to sound metal before closing the root. Here's how to specify it correctly on your WPS.
Read article → - 4 min readweathering steelA588
Weathering steel WPS: A588, A709 50W, and HPS 70W basics
A588 and A709 Grade 50W are prequalified base metals. HPS 70W and HPS 100W require a PQR. Here's what changes on your WPS when you weld weathering steel.
Read article → - 5 min readAPI 1104AWS D1.1
API 1104 vs AWS D1.1 WPS: what changes for pipeline work
Pipeline vs structural WPS: API 1104 and AWS D1.1 take different paths on procedure qualification, essential variables, and position testing.
Read article → - 5 min readprequalified WPSAWS D1.1
Prequalified base metals under AWS D1.1:2025: the approved list
AWS D1.1:2025 restricts prequalified WPS use to an approved base metal list. Steels outside that list need a PQR. Here's which grades qualify and why A514 doesn't.
Read article → - 5 min readconsumablesAWS D1.1
Welding consumable certification and heat-lot traceability
A certificate of conformance links every electrode box to a specific heat and lot. Here's what AWS D1.1 requires for consumable documentation and the audit trail.
Read article → - 5 min readAWS D1.2aluminum welding
AWS D1.2 aluminum WPS: key differences from D1.1
AWS D1.2 governs aluminum structural welding — and its WPS qualification rules differ sharply from D1.1 steel. Here's what QC managers need to know.
Read article → - 5 min readCWIvisual inspection
Visual acceptance criteria for structural welds: AWS D1.1
AWS D1.1 sets specific visual acceptance criteria for groove and fillet welds. Here's how CWIs apply them on statically and cyclically loaded structures.
Read article → - 5 min readWPSPQR
WPS and PQR record retention: how long to keep them
How long must a fab shop keep its WPS, PQR, and WPQ records? The answer depends on which code, contract, and jurisdiction governs your project.
Read article → - 5 min readfit-upjoint preparation
Joint fit-up tolerances for AWS D1.1 structural welding
When production fit-up deviates from the WPS joint geometry, the procedure may not apply. Here's how AWS D1.1:2025 treats root opening, groove angle, and misalignment—and what inspectors do when fit-up is out of tolerance.
Read article → - 6 min readWPSmulti-pass
Multi-pass weld pass-sequence documentation on a WPS
Most WPS forms capture a single parameter row for all passes combined. Here's why pass-by-pass documentation matters, what AWS D1.1:2025 requires, and how to structure a passes table on your WPS.
Read article → - 5 min readSAWAWS D1.1
SAW wire-flux combination essential variables AWS D1.1:2025
The flux classification in SAW is an essential variable under AWS D1.1:2025 Table 6.6. Switching flux grades without requalification is a common and costly audit finding in structural fab shops.
Read article → - 5 min readAWS D1.8seismic
AWS D1.8 seismic supplement: extra WPS requirements
AWS D1.8 adds supplemental CVN and filler-metal requirements onto D1.1 for seismic moment frame welds. Here's what changes on your WPS and PQR.
Read article → - 5 min readHSStubular connections
Tubular and HSS weld procedure qualification under AWS D1.1
T-Y-K tubular joints and HSS-to-plate connections have distinct WPS requirements under AWS D1.1. Here's what changes for prequalified and qualified procedures.
Read article → - 6 min readA913PQR
WPS and PQR for ASTM A913 high-strength steel columns
ASTM A913 Grades 65 and 70 require procedure qualification beyond the prequalified limits in D1.1. Here's how to build the WPS and PQR for QST steel.
Read article → - 6 min readFiller MetalAWS A5
AWS A5 filler metal classifications decoded for WPS
AWS A5 classifications encode strength, position, coating, and hydrogen content. Here's how to read E7018-H4, ER70S-6, and E71T-1C to verify WPS compliance.
Read article → - 5 min readAWS D1.8Seismic
AWS D1.8 seismic supplement: WPS for demand-critical welds
AWS D1.8 supplements D1.1 for seismic-critical connections. Here's what demand-critical weld WPS requirements mean for your qualification package.
Read article → - 6 min readMulti-pass weldingWPS
Multi-pass weld sequence: what your WPS must document
Multi-pass welds need more than a process spec. Document sequence, interpass cleaning, and temperature limits so the WPS can be enforced in the field.
Read article → - 6 min readAWS D1.6stainless steel
AWS D1.6 Stainless Steel Structural WPS Basics
AWS D1.6 governs structural stainless welding. Learn how filler selection, heat input limits, and essential variables differ from AWS D1.1 for your WPS.
Read article → - 5 min readWPQAWS D1.1
Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ) Under AWS D1.1
WPQ certifies the welder, not the procedure. Understand test positions, qualification ranges, and the 6-month continuity rule before your next audit.
Read article → - 6 min readwelding positionAWS D1.1
Welding Position Qualification Limits Under AWS D1.1
Test in the right position and qualify for more. How AWS D1.1 position ranges work for plate and pipe, and how position affects your WPS and WPQ.
Read article → - 5 min readWPSAWS D1.1
Dissimilar metal welding: writing the WPS under AWS D1.1
Welding A36 to A514 or mild steel to high-strength alloy requires a WPS that covers both base metals. Procedure qualification strategy under AWS D1.1:2025.
Read article → - 6 min readSMAWAWS D1.1
Low-hydrogen electrode conditioning: H4, H8, H16 on a WPS
Moisture in SMAW electrodes causes hydrogen cracking. What H4, H8, H16 designators mean and how to document baking and storage requirements on the WPS.
Read article → - 6 min readNDEAWS D1.1
NDE method selection for structural welds under AWS D1.1
RT, UT, MT, and PT each catch different flaw types. Match the NDE method to joint geometry, AWS D1.1:2025 acceptance criteria, and project risk.
Read article → - 5 min readfillet weldWPS
Fillet weld size limits and WPS documentation under AWS D1.1
Minimum fillet weld sizes, maximum single-pass limits, and what your WPS must explicitly document for structural fillet welds under AWS D1.1:2025.
Read article → - 6 min readA514high-strength steel
WPS requirements for A514 high-strength steel welding
A514 quenched and tempered steel requires preheat, low-hydrogen process, and heat input limits. What your WPS must document under AWS D1.1:2025.
Read article → - 5 min readCWIinspection
Weld inspection hold points: CWI tasks at each stage
What a CWI must verify at fit-up, during welding, and at final inspection on structural steel jobs under AWS D1.1:2025. Hold-point tasks and documentation tips.
Read article → - 5 min readAWS D1.1preheat
Carbon equivalent and preheat selection under AWS D1.1:2025
How to calculate carbon equivalent for structural steel and select the correct minimum preheat under AWS D1.1:2025 — and how this flows into your WPS.
Read article → - 6 min readCJPPJP
CJP vs PJP groove welds: WPS scope under AWS D1.1:2025
CJP and PJP groove welds differ in qualification scope, NDE requirements, and PQR coverage under AWS D1.1:2025. Here's what every CWI needs to know before first arc.
Read article → - 6 min readrepair weldingWPS
Repair weld WPS requirements under AWS D1.1:2025
Repair welds require engineer authorization, an approved WPS, and post-repair NDE under AWS D1.1:2025. Here's what changes vs new construction and what belongs in the repair record.
Read article → - 5 min readAWS D1.5bridge welding
AWS D1.5 bridge welding code: WPS requirements for DOT work
State DOT and AASHTO specs require AWS D1.5, not D1.1, for highway bridge steel. Here's how D1.5 WPS qualification differs — and where shops get tripped up.
Read article → - 7 min readhydrogen crackingpreheat
Hydrogen-induced cracking: prevention through WPS controls
Hydrogen-induced cracking is the most preventable serious weld failure mode. Here's how preheat, filler selection, and post-weld practice on your WPS stop it.
Read article → - 5 min readrepair weldingAWS D1.1
Repair weld procedure qualification under AWS D1.1
In-process and in-service weld repairs both need code-compliant procedures. Here's when your current WPS covers a repair — and when you need a new one.
Read article → - 6 min readWPSPQR
Qualifying a WPS for dissimilar base metals under AWS D1.1
Joining different AWS D1.1 base metal groups requires specific PQR scope, filler selection, and tensile testing. Here's what to verify before production.
Read article → - 6 min readESWEGW
ESW and EGW WPS requirements under AWS D1.1:2025
Electroslag and electrogas welding fall under Table 6.7 of AWS D1.1:2025, not Table 6.6. Here's when to use them and what WPS documentation is required.
Read article → - 5 min readWPSPQR
Groove weld PQR coverage for fillet welds under AWS D1.1
A PQR qualified on groove welds extends to fillet welds under AWS D1.1—but position and process rules limit that coverage. Here is where the lines are.
Read article → - 6 min readSAWWPS
SAW flux and wire: essential variable rules under AWS D1.1
SAW flux classification, wire type, and electrode count are all essential variables under AWS D1.1:2025. Here's what triggers PQR requalification.
Read article → - 6 min readweld mapWPS traceability
Weld maps and WPS traceability on fabrication drawings
A weld map links drawing weld symbols to the qualifying WPS. Here's how to set one up, what auditors look for, and the most common traceability errors.
Read article → - 6 min readWPSPQR
WPS qualification range: what one PQR actually covers
One PQR test plate doesn't cover every thickness and position. Here's exactly how AWS D1.1 defines the qualification range for groove and fillet welds.
Read article → - 5 min readASME IXP-numbers
ASME IX P-Numbers and F-Numbers: What They Mean for Your WPS
How ASME Section IX groups base metals by P-number and filler metals by F-number—and why those groupings determine your WPS qualification range.
Read article → - 3 min readWPQwelder qualification
The AWS D1.1 6-month welder continuity rule, explained
Under AWS D1.1, a welder's qualification expires after 6 months without using a process. Here's how the continuity rule works, what it voids, and how to track it.
Read article → - 5 min readAWS D1.1WPQ
AWS D1.1 welder continuity: the 6-month lapse rule
AWS D1.1 Clause 6.4.1 requires welders to use each qualified process every six months or lose qualification. Here's what 'use' means and how to track it.
Read article → - 3 min readGMAWshielding gas
GMAW shielding gas changes that void your WPS
Shielding gas composition is a PQR essential variable under AWS D1.1 Table 6.6. Here's which GMAW gas changes void qualification and which you can make freely.
Read article → - 5 min readNDEAWS D1.1
AWS D1.1 NDE documentation: the audit packet checklist
VT, MT, PT, and UT records all belong in an AWS D1.1 audit packet. Here's what each NDE type records and how auditors verify the chain of traceability.
Read article → - 6 min readWPSshielding gas
Shielding Gas Documentation on a WPS: Essential Variables and Flow Rates
What belongs on the WPS shielding gas fields: mixture percentages, flow rates, and backing gas—and why getting them wrong is an essential variable violation.
Read article → - 4 min readWPSAWS D1.1
Tack weld WPS requirements under AWS D1.1
AWS D1.1 treats incorporated tack welds the same as production welds: qualified welder, WPS, preheat. Here's what shops get wrong and what the code requires.
Read article → - 5 min readWPQwelder qualification
Welder Qualification Positions: 1G Through 6G Explained
What welding positions actually authorize—groove and fillet ranges for plate, pipe, and structural welder qualification tests under AWS D1.1.
Read article → - 4 min readasme ixwps
ASME IX QW-404.4 F-Number Explained for Pressure Vessel Shops
QW-404.4 F-numbers control filler-metal substitution on qualified WPSs. Here's what pressure vessel shops need to know to stay compliant.
Read article → - 4 min readasme ixpqr
ASME IX QW-403.8: When a P-Number Change Forces Requalification
QW-403.8 is one of the most-tripped essential variables in ASME IX. Here's exactly when a P-number change kills your existing PQR.
Read article → - 2 min readWPSAWS D1.1
How to write a WPS for AWS D1.1:2025 (step-by-step)
A practical step-by-step for writing a code-compliant Welding Procedure Specification under AWS D1.1:2025 — from joint sketch to signature.
Read article → - 2 min readWPSAWS D1.1
Prequalified WPS under AWS D1.1 Clause 5: what qualifies
Most shop welds can be prequalified — no PQR required. Here's exactly what AWS D1.1 Clause 5 lets you skip qualification on, and the traps that disqualify a WPS.
Read article → - 2 min readWPSAWS D1.1
What is a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)?
A Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) is a written document that tells a welder exactly how to make a code-compliant weld. Here's what it contains and why every fab shop needs one.
Read article → - 2 min readWPSessential variables
WPS essential variables vs nonessential variables (and why it matters)
Change a nonessential variable and you update the WPS. Change an essential variable and you may need to requalify the procedure. Here's the distinction in plain English.
Read article → - 2 min readWPSPQR
WPS vs PQR vs WPQ: what's the difference?
WPS prescribes how to weld. PQR proves a procedure produces sound welds. WPQ proves a welder can follow it. Three documents, three roles — explained in one read.
Read article → - 2 min readAWS D1.12025 edition
AWS D1.1:2025 vs 2020: what changed
The 2025 edition of AWS D1.1 renumbered the essential-variable tables and tightened several technical limits. Here's a focused diff for anyone maintaining a WPS library.
Read article → - 2 min readWPSaudit
10 common WPS mistakes that fail QC review
The same WPS deficiencies show up audit after audit. Here are the ten most common, in order of frequency — and the one-line fix for each.
Read article → - 2 min readWPSCWI
Who can sign a WPS? CWI requirements and the responsible-engineer rule
A WPS is signed by someone whose qualifications are accountable to the code. Here's who can sign — and who can't — under AWS D1.1, ASME IX, and major US contractor certifications.
Read article → - 2 min readWPSrevision control
WPS revision control: when to issue a new revision (and how to do it right)
A WPS is a controlled document. Edits create new revisions, with full audit trail. Here's the standard for revision control that survives a third-party audit.
Read article → - 3 min readWPSAWS Annex M
WPS template vs WPS form: what AWS Annex M actually shows
AWS D1.1 Annex M includes sample WPS and PQR forms. These are illustrative, not mandatory — but every shop should know what's on them and why.
Read article → - 2 min readTable 6.6PQR
AWS D1.1:2025 Table 6.6 explained: PQR essential variables row by row
Table 6.6 is the heart of PQR essential variables for SMAW, SAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW under AWS D1.1:2025. Here's what each row covers and the common requalification triggers.
Read article → - 2 min readCVNTable 6.8
CVN impact testing and AWS D1.1:2025 Table 6.8 supplementary essentials
When CVN (Charpy V-Notch) testing is required, Table 6.8 adds supplementary essential variables on top of Table 6.6. Here's what changed in 2025 and when it applies.
Read article → - 3 min readPQRqualification
How to qualify a welding procedure (PQR step-by-step)
From draft WPS to signed PQR in three weeks. Here's the sequence that experienced welding engineers use to qualify procedures the first time.
Read article → - 3 min readPQRmechanical testing
PQR tensile and bend test requirements under AWS D1.1:2025
What specimens to cut, what tests to run, what pass-fail criteria apply. A field-ready summary of mechanical-test requirements for AWS D1.1 PQR qualification.
Read article → - 3 min readPQRAWS D1.1
What is a PQR? Procedure Qualification Record, explained
A Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) is the test-weld documentation proving that a welding procedure produces sound welds. Here's what a PQR contains and when you need one.
Read article → - 3 min readheat inputWPS
Heat input control: how to calculate and document it on a WPS
Heat input is an essential variable in AWS D1.1 Tables 6.6 and 6.8. Here's the calculation, the documentation pattern, and the production tracking that keeps it in range.
Read article → - 3 min readPQRprequalification
PQR vs prequalified: which path is cheaper?
Prequalified WPSs cost zero in lab fees but constrain your parameter envelope. PQR-supported WPSs are unlimited but cost $1,500–$4,000 each. Here's how to choose.
Read article → - 3 min readpreheatinterpass
Preheat and interpass temperature: how to document on a WPS
Preheat prevents cold cracking. Interpass temperature controls HAZ size. Both belong on every WPS — here's how to specify and verify them.
Read article → - 3 min readPQRinspection
Reading a PQR test report: what inspectors look for
A PQR lab report is densely formatted. Here's the five-minute read that experienced CWIs use to spot problems — and confirm the PQR actually supports the WPS.
Read article → - 3 min readPQRrequalification
When does a PQR require requalification?
A PQR is valid for the life of the procedure — until you cross an essential variable. Here are the specific changes that force requalification under AWS D1.1:2025.
Read article → - 3 min readFCAW-GA992
FCAW-G WPS for A992 wide-flange beams: a structural-shop standard
FCAW with gas shielding (FCAW-G) on A992 wide-flange beams is the bread-and-butter of US steel erection. Here's a complete WPS template — and the AISC seismic implications.
Read article → - 3 min readGMAWA572-50
GMAW WPS for A572 Grade 50: parameters and pitfalls
GMAW with E70S-6 on ASTM A572 Grade 50 is common in structural fab. Here's the full WPS — including the short-circuit-transfer caveats that trip up prequalified status.
Read article → - 3 min readGTAWSMAW
GTAW root + SMAW fill: writing a hybrid WPS
A hybrid procedure with a GTAW root pass and SMAW fill is common on small-diameter pipe and high-cleanliness joints. Here's how to document a hybrid WPS that covers both processes.
Read article → - 3 min readSAWA516-70
SAW WPS for A516 Grade 70 thick plate pressure-vessel work
Submerged arc welding (SAW) on A516 Gr. 70 thick plate is high-deposition, high-quality, and tightly documented. Here's a full WPS — including the ASME crossover.
Read article → - 3 min readSMAWA36
SMAW WPS for ASTM A36: a complete walkthrough
The most common WPS in any structural fab shop: SMAW with E7018 on ASTM A36. Here's the full parameter set, what's prequalified, and the pitfalls.
Read article → - 3 min readFCAW-GFCAW-S
FCAW-G vs FCAW-S: WPS implications
Gas-shielded and self-shielded flux-cored welding share a name but are different procedures. Different fillers, different essentials, different audit gotchas.
Read article → - 3 min readGMAWtransfer mode
GMAW short-circuit vs spray transfer: WPS implications
Transfer mode is an essential variable. Short-circuit, globular, spray, and pulsed GMAW are different procedures with different WPSs — even on the same wire.
Read article → - 3 min readpulsed GMAWWPS
Pulsed GMAW: documenting waveform parameters on a WPS
Pulsed GMAW promises spray-like quality at lower heat input. The WPS has to document the pulse waveform — not just amperage and voltage.
Read article → - 3 min readSMAWE7018
SMAW low-hydrogen E7018 WPS: when and why
E7018 is the most common SMAW electrode in structural welding. The 'low-hydrogen' designator on the WPS isn't decorative — it's the entire reason E7018 exists.
Read article → - 3 min readD1.6stainless
Welding stainless steel: when D1.6 applies instead of D1.1
AWS D1.1 covers carbon and low-alloy steels. For stainless, the governing code is D1.6. Here's what changes — and what stays the same — in your WPS.
Read article → - 3 min readAHJaudit
AHJ asks for a WPS: how to respond fast
An Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) request for WPSs is a common audit trigger. Here's the response that wins time and the response that loses it.
Read article → - 3 min readAISCcertification
AISC certification audits: what to have ready
AISC steel-building certification audits hit the WPS library hard. Here's the document set that survives an AISC visit — and the gaps that fail one.
Read article → - 3 min readthird-party auditdeficiencies
Common WPS deficiencies found in third-party audits
Three-party audits — independent of the shop and the AHJ — find the same WPS deficiencies over and over. Here are the patterns and the preventive fixes.
Read article → - 3 min readCWIWPS review
CWI WPS review: a step-by-step checklist
What a CWI actually looks for when reviewing a new WPS — and the order experienced inspectors do it in to catch the most findings in the least time.
Read article → - 3 min readWPS libraryorganization
Building a welding procedure library that's always audit-ready
A WPS library is a living asset. Here's how to organize one that supports daily production, survives audits, and onboards new CWIs quickly.
Read article → - 3 min readfield weldingWPS
WPS for field welding vs shop welding: the differences that matter
Field welding adds wind, weather, position constraints, and access challenges that shop welding doesn't have. Here's how to write a field-welding WPS that survives reality.
Read article → - 3 min readAnnex Bjoints
Joint design: prequalified geometries from AWS D1.1 Annex B
AWS D1.1 Annex B is the catalog of prequalified joint details. Use what's in Annex B and your WPS stays prequalified. Use something else, and you qualify by test.
Read article → - 3 min readPWHTWPS
PWHT on a WPS: when post-weld heat treatment is required and how to document it
Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) relieves residual stress and improves toughness. Here's when it's required, how to specify it on a WPS, and how to verify it in production.
Read article → - 3 min readWPQtraceability
Welder qualification (WPQ) traceability to the WPS
A WPS authorizes a procedure. A WPQ authorizes a welder. The link between them is the most-audited connection in welding QC.
Read article → - 3 min readdigital signatureWPS
WPS digital signature requirements: what holds up at audit
Digital signatures on WPSs are widely accepted — but not all digital signatures meet code expectations. Here's what makes one defensible.
Read article → - 3 min readAIWPS
AI-drafted WPS vs hand-written: what actually changes
AI doesn't replace a CWI. It eliminates the parts of WPS authoring that already feel mechanical, leaving the engineering judgment where it belongs.
Read article → - 3 min readsoftwarecomparison
Modern WPS software vs WeldAssistant, WeldOffice, and WPS Maker
The incumbent desktop WPS programs have run unchanged for a decade. Here's what a modern AI-native, cloud-based alternative does differently — and where the desktop tools still hold ground.
Read article → - 3 min readspreadsheetsoftware
Spreadsheet WPS vs software WPS: the real cost of mistakes
Excel can produce a WPS. So can software. Here's the honest cost comparison that includes rework, audit findings, and the time you'd rather spend elsewhere.
Read article → - 3 min readmigrationsoftware
Why fab shops are leaving Word and Excel for WPS software
Word and Excel did the job for decades. Three forces are pushing fab shops to dedicated WPS software now — and they're not going away.
Read article → - 3 min readtemplatessearch
Free WPS template downloads: why most are a search trap
Search for 'AWS D1.1 WPS template free download' and you'll get hundreds of results. Almost all of them have the same five problems — and using them as-is fails audits.
Read article → - 4 min readASME IXD1.1
AWS D1.1 vs ASME Section IX: code selection for your WPS
Structural steel goes under AWS D1.1. Pressure vessels and piping go under ASME Section IX. The differences are real and matter for your WPS.
Read article → - 4 min readedition transitionWPS lifetime
How long is a WPS valid? Edition transitions and procedure lifetime
WPSs don't expire — but they can become non-compliant when their cited code edition is superseded. Here's how to manage edition transitions in your library.
Read article → - 3 min readA5.36FCAW
AWS A5.36 designators: what changed in D1.1:2025
A5.36 is the open-classification filler standard for FCAW. Its prequalification status changed in D1.1:2025. Here's what shops need to update.
Read article → - 3 min readSAWTable 6.6
The 10% electrode-to-supplemental-filler ratio rule in AWS D1.1:2025
AWS D1.1:2025 Table 6.6 row 7 tightened the electrode-to-supplemental-filler ratio threshold. Here's what changed and how to comply on a SAW WPS.
Read article → - 4 min readWPS librarynumbering
WPS numbering scheme: best practices for a growing library
A consistent WPS numbering scheme saves hours during audits and onboarding. Here's the format most certified shops use — and the formats that cause problems.
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