2007 PROFESSIONAL WELDER COMPETITION

This year’s competition took place November 12-13, 2007, during the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show in Chicago, Illinois.  Welders from all across the U.S.A participated in this year’s competition.

Top 12 Competitors

1.   Luis T. Aceves - Manitowoc, WI
2.   Kodi Welch - Menasha, WI
3.   George Rolla - Murrieta, CA
4.   Mike Ho - Edmonton, AB Canada
5.   George Crumley - Quinton, AL
6.   Greg Larson - Hokah, MN
7.   Kenneth Mapes - Laurel, MD
8.   Joe Steenhoek - Colfax, IA
9.   George Calancea Jr. - Douglasville, PA
10.  Isaac Carrion - Austin, TX
11.  Thomas Hiltz - Chana, IL
12.  Doug Tennant - Green Bay, WI

The Welding Procedure - The competition was timed and each welder was given five minutes to complete a 5/16 inch fillet weld using 5/32 inch E7018 electrode on low carbon steel. The welding procedure involved welding a 3x3x3/8 inch angle to a 1/4 inch thick horizontal plate using Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). A team of AWS Certified Welding Inspectors judged the competition using the criteria for size and appearance of the fillet weld as stated in AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2006, Structural Welding Code—Steel. The judges’ results were verified using automated inspection equipment supplied by Servo-Robot, Inc.

The Organizers - Volunteers from the AWS Indiana Section helped to organize and operate the competition, supported by instructors and students from the Chicago area, Wyoming and Texas. Sponsors of the competition included ESAB Welding and Cutting, The Lincoln Electric Corporation, Miller Electric Manufacturing Company, Wilson Industries, Servo-Robot, Inc., Jackson Safety Products, RoboVent, LAPCO Manufacturing, Markal Corporation, Arc One and Steiner Industries. Contest weldments were donated and prepared by Westfield Steel, Inc, Lift-A-Loft Corporation, Ivy Tech Community College and New Castle Area Career Programs.