Connecting the welding industry across Canada

Highlights from Welding Industry Day

More than 140 people attended Welding Industry Day on February 7, 2024, hosted by the CWB Association. This online event provided an accessible platform for industry professionals to gain valuable insights, exchange ideas, and stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in the welding sector.

This Welding Industry Day covered a range of topics from productivity solutions to safety to supporting future welders, showcasing the latest technologies and innovative approaches. Attendees also participated in lively Q&A sessions and visited a virtual expo pavilion to connect with event sponsors.

Sebastian Max Ceron , Director of the CWB Association, got the day started with opening remarks. He shared some Association news and upcoming events, and also announced the first giveaway winner of the day. He set the tone for a positive and exciting day of learning.

Mitch Matheny, Commercial Sales Director at EWI, gave the first presentation, "Welding Engineering Problem Solving Resources." He highlighted EWI's extensive experience in providing engineering services to companies for identifying, developing, and implementing optimal solutions for various applications. Matheny emphasized the benefits of EWI corporate membership for welders, welding engineers, and management across multiple industries, focusing on its role in new product development and current production support. The key takeaway was understanding who EWI is and how companies can enhance their competitiveness through membership services.

Robert Pistor, President of Liburdi Automation, was next up on the virtual stage to discuss "Adaptive Welding for Shipbuilding and Offshore Structures." Pistor outlined the new features integrated into Liburdi Dimetrics' 7th generation welding system, designed to expand the range of welding applications. The presentation covered advanced modes of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), including arc seam tracking, Neural Network weld recognition, robotic path optimization, and modified short circuit pulsed GMAW. Attendees learned how these advancements could significantly increase workforce productivity without the need for additional welders.

Tom McGaughy, Senior Technology Leader EWI, presented on the "Development of In-Situ Weld Cooling Rate Measurement Methods." He addressed structural carbon steel welding applications with specific performance requirements related to weld and heat-affected zone hardness. The focus was on integrating infrared (IR) instrumentation into arc welding systems for real-time temperature profile measurements and data analysis to estimate weld cooling rates. Information on sensor placement, protection, and considerations for addressing weld fume thermal masking and emissivity reflections were provided. The presentation shared the importance of real-time measurement in enhancing welding quality and meeting performance requirements.

Stacey Blundell and Stacy Richardson from 3M shared insights on the "Science of Correctly Fitted PPE - Welding Safety." The speakers emphasized the importance of fit, comfort, and compliance in PPE selection, highlighting how proper use of PPE contributes to overall workplace safety.

Will Schwarz, Executive Director of Apprenticeship and Training at UA Piping Industry College of BC (UAPICBC), presented "Welding Foundation at UAPICBC - Doing Things Different." Schwarz delved into the innovative approach of the Welding Foundation course, covering both Level 1 and Level 2 Welding. Supported by the Federal Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP), the programs aim to make welding education more accessible by offering partial or full funding. UAPICBC’s commitment to a fresh and accessible approach to welding education was clear.

The final presentation of the day was delivered by Shallyn Nowakowski and Shayne Sutcliffe from JNE Welding, titled "Innovation in our Products through Investment in our People." They addressed the challenge of recruiting and retaining skilled labor in Saskatchewan and the broader Canadian workforce. The speakers emphasized the importance of supporting and developing young tradespeople to establish fulfilling, lifelong careers. The key learning was the immense potential in skilled trades and the efforts JNE is making to stand out in supporting and developing young talent.

Welding Industry Day was made possible by a number of sponsors committed to advancing the field of welding: UA Piping Industry College of BC, Liburdi, Apprenticesearch.com, and JNE Welding.

The CWB Group first launched Welding Industry Days in 2019 to provide industry professionals and educators with a combination of technical presentations, networking opportunities, and relevant content at no cost. Originally, these events were offered in-person in different cities across Canada, but were re-visioned as virtual events in 2020.

As Max Ceron noted during his closing remarks, attendance at Welding Industry Day has grown every year since transitioning to an online event during COVID-19, indicating it remains a valuable tool to connect the industry across Canada.

Watch for details about future Welding Industry Day events to come.