Inspection Trends
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May 2026
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Anatomy of a Welded Repair
We, welders, are a curious lot. Our typical response to the question, “Can you weld this?” is “I can weld anything except the crack of dawn or a broken heart!” Self-confidence is never in short supply. And for the most part, we get the job done.
see moreClearer Views, Better Data: A CWI’s Guide to Video Borescope Inspection
For decades, the primary tools of the AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) were simple: a flashlight, a mirror, a fillet gauge, and a keen pair of eyes. But as engineering designs become more complex and tolerances tighten, the areas that require nondestructive examination (NDE) are becoming increasingly difficult to access.
see moreFrom Navy Vet to CWI
A summer job at a friend’s family’s fabrication shop during high school, assisting around the shop and working in the humid Ohio heat, jump started Donald Maatz Jr.’s interest in welding and a career that has now spanned more than 40 years.
see moreA Guide to Building a Successful Welding and Inspection Program
The welding and inspection industry are the cornerstone of the manufacturing sector, with a growing demand for skilled labor. Educational institutions play a critical role in preparing both students and career changers with the skills needed to enter and advance in the field.
see moreDeveloping a Quality Management System Manual
Perhaps you are a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) with a few years under your belt. Perhaps you were lucky enough to have worked under a seasoned inspector who served as your mentor. Now you are working for a new company that wants you to develop its quality management system (QMS) manual. This may seem overwhelming at first.
see moreEvaluating AWS Standard Welding Procedure Specifications
In welding and fabrication, maintaining quality, consistency, and compliance is essential, especially when producing critical components for pressure vessels, piping systems, bridges, and structural supports. A tool designed to support these requirements is the AWS standard welding procedure specification (SWPS).
see moreThe Answer Is
Q: I am a new quality control manager for a large manufacturing company. I’m a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), and I supervise a team of CWIs responsible for ensuring our manufacturing process consistently meets quality objectives.
see moreIEC 2026 Brings Inspectors, Innovation, and AI to Austin
The 2026 Inspection Expo & Conference (IEC), which took place at the beginning of February in Austin, Tex., united welding inspectors, engineers, manufacturers, and industry leaders from across North America for two days of technical education, professional development, and forward-looking discussion.
see morePublication Archive
View past issues of our magazines, including Welding Journal Research Supplement in PDF format.