i tend to agree with BB, but the prequalified preparations are just that, preparations, the tables in 1554 dont suggest amps, volts, consumables etc to produce a test piece, for the qualification of a procedure, and thence a WPS
As with all these ‘prequalified preparations’, they are only a small part of the whole process of qualifying a procedure. All the other components of the PQR-consumables, amps, volts, travel speed etc with which the variables of a WPS, can be written, are at the discretion of the operator producing the coupon. I once had a welder qualifying an ASME coupon, with a 5mm root gap. I suggested it was a big gap, and everyone else would have to replicate it. He just said ‘i like big root gaps’
i would question why you state ‘it is a complete waste of time’?
it is a low cost viable option, and is acceptable to the standard.
as i stated, it is a little grey.
i personally think the positional ranges a 2980 gives, is way to generous, a mig monkey passes an overhead, and gets the ‘keys to the city’. there are plenty of positional welders that coulnt weld up a supermarket trolley, out of position!!
(and i did put a submission in, for the current review of as/nzs 1554.1)
lot of views and no replies? get yourself a copy of the applicable standard
Bloke, they different joints, with different variables, one has a root gap, the other closed. the angle is set for one and variable for the other, depending on position.
my take would be,
if you are qualifying them to a procedure under 1554.1
-you can under 4.12.2.3 get them to weld a coupon, and simply perform a macro on it.
this little ‘hole/gray area’ may be removed when this standard is reviewed next time(but not, i believe for this years review)
actually, let me put it this way, i have qualified welders to a procedure, this way, and i know of another inspector who uses this method.