Weld Data Monitoring Solutions Help Pipe Shops Drive Improvements

Pipe shop weld monitoring

Pipe fabrication shops are always looking for ways to boost productivity and efficiency to differentiate themselves — without negatively impacting the rigorous weld quality requirements the shops must meet.

In addition to these challenges, many pipe shops face increasing pressure from clients to track and document weld quality and other factors based on customer specifications.

As data monitoring becomes a growing customer expectation, available technologies can help pipe shops track and measure productivity, quality and other data. Weld data monitoring systems designed specifically for pipe fabrication can help shops ensure they are meeting the codes and standards necessary for pipe welding applications — as well as client expectations.

Solutions designed for pipe

Weld data monitoring solutions address the unique needs of pipe fabricators and make tracking key metrics easy and efficient. These solutions allow fabricators to document individual joints by recording welding parameters and attaching those parameters to a contract, spool and joint as it flows through a shop. This helps drive continuous improvement efforts without requiring the welding operator to spend non-productive time inputting data.

Gathering welding parameter information for each individual joint allows pipe shops to efficiently track productivity and quality metrics that are crucial in pipe welding applications. Shops can easily see information on any out-of-parameter welds to help prevent defects or correct specific issues.

This streamlined data collection and documentation improves the quality control process for pipe shops — for total traceability of welding parameters and reportability to clients.

Real-time data collection

One of the biggest benefits of these systems is the ability for pipe fabricators to monitor progress and production in real time, since the systems collect welding information as operators complete welds.

Previously, manual data collection meant a piece of paper had to travel with the spool joint through the shop and on through the process of weld testing. Operators recorded information by hand, on the paper along the way.

Now that the tracking process is electronic, pipe shops can get instant visibility to factors such as arc-on time and any instances when a weld fails to meet established thresholds for amps and volts, for example. This improved, real-time insight is especially useful when change orders happen on a job. It makes knowing whether or not a specific part has been welded much easier and more efficient to track.

The ability to track individual joints is also helpful when a customer wants a progress report, since a check of the system will show if a spool has been welded or not.

Some of these systems also provide the ability to import and export jobs in a generic file format, which allows easy integration with existing business software programs a shop may have. This gives users flexibility and more options for gathering additional information.

Reduce errors and save time

Collecting data electronically also reduces chances for potential errors or problems. It also drastically reduces the time is takes to gather the information.

Tracking and entering information by hand is a time-consuming process that has the potential for errors due to typos or poor handwriting. When fabricators use a paper tracking system, the paper traveling with or following each joint on the production floor must be sent to the office and entered into a computer database, which introduces the element of human error. Problems can also arise if the handwritten marks on the paper for each weld joint become smeared or damaged during the process on the production floor.

Using a system that collects data electronically directly from the weld cell eliminates these issues.

Performance and quality improvements

Technology advancements and options available in weld data monitoring are providing simple solutions that help pipe shops drive improvement.

Knowing what aspects within the welding operation actually need to change to drive improvement is an important part of helping pipe shops reach their productivity, efficiency and quality goals. Better information going into the system helps drive better business decisions — and better outcomes.

Weld data monitoring solutions provide the ability to easily track performance and quality metrics so shops can implement changes that result in improvements.