Welding Positions

Understanding
“Position” in Welding
Walter J. Sperko, P. E.
Sperko Engineering Services, Inc.
4803 Archwood Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27406
www.sperkoengineering.com
sperko@asme.org
336-674-0600
FAX 336-674-0202
© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C
2005 OM
This presentation is copyrighted
by Sperko Engineering
• General permission is granted for use of this
presentation including printing thereof for
educational purposes provided credit is
given to Sperko Engineering.
• Use of the figures herein in any other
publication without specific written
permission is prohibited.

2005 OM
This presentation is copyrighted
by Sperko Engineering
• The primary purpose of this presentation is
twofold:
– Make sure that code users understand the
difference between testing positions and
production welding positions
– Help users understand how to read the figures
that define production welding positions shown
on the next page.

2005 OM
Production Welding Positions
Groove Welds Fillet Welds

2005 OM
Standard Test Positions
Positions 1G, 3G, 6G, 2F, 5F, etc. are
specially defined standard positions
used for testing. They are properly
referred to as Test Positions. Similar
positions are found in ISO 6947
identified as PA, PC, PG, etc.

2005 OM
Standard Testing Positions
Test positions are discreetly defined
positions of test coupons that are used
when mostly when testing welders.
These positions have tolerance of ±15°
from the defined horizontal planes and
±5° from a defined vertical or inclined
plane. See QW-120
2005 OM
Testing Position 1G/PA
±5°
Weld Axis Horizontal
±15° Plate Horizontal

2005 OM
Test Position 2G/PC
Weld Axis
Horizontal
±5°
±15°
Plates Vertical

2005 OM
Test Position 3F/PF or PG
±5°
2005 OM
Test Position 6G/HL045 or JL045
45°±5°
2005 OM
Test Positions are Discreetly
Defined
• Because of tolerance limits on test positions,
positions in between test positions are undefined!
• That is, a weld that is inclined 22° uphill and
rotated 36° about its axis has no “G” or “F”
position. Such a position, however, may be
encountered during production welding.
• Production welding positions, therefore, need to
be defined contiguously.

2005 OM
Test Positions Qualify Welders
for Specific Welding Positions
Test Positions  Welding Positions

Translations from test positions to welding positions are
made in the construction codes. QW-461.9 is typical.

2005 OM
Test Positions  Welding Positions

2005 OM
Welding Positions
Note to table:
(1) Positions of welding as shown in QW-461.1 and QW-461.2
F = Flat
H = Horizontal
V = Vertical
O = Overhead
(2) Pipe 2-7/8 in outside diameter and over.

2005 OM
Welding positions for groove
welds are defined by the
following diagram.
NOTE
Welding Position Diagrams are
contiguous.

2005 OM
Welding Positions for Groove Welds

2005 OM
Tabulation showing transition
points between welding positions
Tabulation of Positions of Groove Welds
Position Diagram Reference Inclination of Axis Rotation of Face

Flat A 0 to 15° 150 to 210°
Horizontal B 0 to 15° 80 to 150°
210 to 280°
Overhead C 0 to 80° 0 to 80°
210 to 360°
Vertical D 15 to 80° 80 to 280°
E 80 to 90° 0 to 360°
How this table and the diagram on the previous page work are shown in the
following diagrams

2005 OM
Let’s start with the
Flat Position

2005 OM
Welding Positions

Flat A 0 to 15° 150 to 210°
Horizontal B 0 to 15° 80 to
150°
210 to 280°
210 to 360°
E 80 to 90° 0 to 360°
following diagrams

2005 OM
Flat Positions Axis Inclination
15°

2005 OM
Start at Nominal Flat Position
Face of weld is up

2005 OM
Flat Upward Inclined Limit
Weld may
incline upward
to a limit of 15°
15°

2005 OM
Flat Upward Inclined Limit
But the welder
could be traveling
down the incline. . .
15°

2005 OM
Flat Downward Limit Is Implied
© Sperko Engineering
2005
15°WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C
OM
Welding Positions

Flat A 0 to 15° 150 to 210°
Horizonta B 0 to 15° 80 to 150°
210 to 280°
210 to 360°
E 80 to 90° 0 to 360°
following diagrams

2005 OM
Flat Position --Rotation About Axis
150° 180°
210°
30°
30°
© Sperko Engineering 0°
WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C
2005 OM
Flat Rolled Limit Clockwise
180° 210°
30°

2005 OM
Flat Rolled Limit Clockwise
30° 210°
Equivalent to
rotating
The plate 30° 180°

2005 OM
Flat Rolled Limit Counterclockwise
150° 180°
30°

2005 OM
Flat Rotated Limits Not
Considering Inclination
60°
2005 OM
Welding Positions

Flat A 0 to 15° 150 to 210°
Horizonta B 0 to 15° 80 to 150°
210 to 280°
210 to 360°
E 80 to 90° 0 to 360°
following diagrams

2005 OM
Flat Uphill Limit Rotated
15°
60°

2005 OM
Flat Downhill Limit Rotated
15°
2005 OM
Composite Flat Position Ranges
60°
30°

2005 OM
Compare this range to 1G/PA. . .

2005 OM
Testing Position 1G/PA
±5°
Weld Axis Horizontal
±15° Plate Horizontal

2005 OM
Flat ≠ 1G !!!!

2005 OM
Welding Positions

Flat A 0 to 15° 150 to 210°
210 to 280°
210 to 360°
E 80 to 90° 0 to 360°
following diagrams

2005 OM
Horizontal Position Axis Inclined
15°

2005 OM
Basic Horizontal Position

2005 OM
Horizontal Position Uphill
Inclined Limit
15°

2005 OM
Horizontal Position Downhill
Inclined Limit
15°
2005 OM
Welding Positions

Flat A 0 to 15° 150 to 210°
210 to 280°
210 to 360°
E 80 to 90° 0 to 360°
following diagrams

2005 OM
Horizontal Position Rotated
150°
210°
70° range
70° Range
80°

2005 OM
280°
Start at the Flat Rolled Limits
180° 210°
30°
Let’s go to an
end view. . . .
2005 OM
Horizontal End View
Horizontal starts where 210°
Flat ends. . . .
30°

2005 OM
Horizontal Rotates to where the
plate is perpendicular to the ground
Horizontal rotates
clockwise . .
30°

2005 OM
Horizontal Position Rotated
Limit Horizontal ends
90° here. . . .
10°
30°
280°
2005 OM
Non-inclined Horizontal Position
Limits
Starts with plate
Rotated 30°
70°

2005 OM
Non-inclined Horizontal Position
Limits
Finishes with plate
Rotated 10° beyond
perpendicular
70°

2005 OM
Composite Horizontal Position
Limits
15°
15°
2005 OM
Compare Horizontal to 2G/PC

2005 OM
Test Position 2G/PC
Weld Axis
Horizontal
±5°
±15°
Plates Vertical

2005 OM
Horizontal ≠ 2G/PC !!!!

2005 OM
Overhead Position
80°
280°
160° range
2005 OM
Basic Overhead
Face of weld
is overhead!!!
0°
2005 OM
Basic Overhead End View
Face of weld
© Sperkois overhead
Engineering
0°
2005 OM
Overhead Partial Rotation
End View
Face of weld
is overhead
0°
2005 OM
Overhead Maximum Rotation
End View
Face of weld on
This side
280°

2005 OM
0°
Overhead Maximum Opposite
Rotation End View
Face of weld on
This side
80° 280°

2005 OM
0°
Same Rotation in Isometric View

2005 OM
Basic Overhead
Face of weld
is overhead
0°
2005 OM
Overhead Partial Rotation
Isometric View
Face of weld
0°
is overhead
2005 OM
Overhead Maximum Rotation
Isometric View
Face of weld
On this side
280°

2005 OM
0°
Overhead Maximum Opposite
Rotation Isometric View
Face of weld
is on this side
80° 280°
2005
0°
OM
Overhead Position
Axis Inclination
80° range
80°
280°
160° range
2005 OM
Basic Overhead for Inclined Axis
Face of weld
is overhead
0°
2005 OM
Overhead Inclined Axis Rotation
0°
0°
2005 OM
Overhead Inclined Axis Limit
80°
0°

2005 OM
Weld can rotate 360°
about vertical axis
while inclined 10°
forward tilt. 80°
© Sperko Engineering 0° WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

2005 OM
10°
Weld can rotate about

The vertical axis
0°
2005 OM
10°

The vertical axis
0°
2005 OM
10°

The vertical axis
0°
2005 OM
Overhead Inclined Axis Limit 10°

The vertical axis
0°
2005 OM
10°

The vertical axis
0°
2005 OM
10°

The vertical axis
0°
2005 OM
Overhead Inclined Axis Limit10°
Weld ends up back

Where it started!
0°
2005 OM
Composite Overhead Position Limits
360° 10°
80°
80°
0°
© Sperko Engineering 0°
WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C 280°
2005 OM
Overhead ≠ 4G/PE !!!!

2005 OM
80°
Vertical Position Part 1
65° Range of Inclination
From 15 to 80°.
Face of weld is up
15°

2005 OM
Range of inclination
Starts at 15°
Face of weld is up
15°

2005 OM
Range of inclination
continues upward. . .
Greater than 15°

2005 OM
Until reaching 80°
80°

2005 OM
When the “E” portion
of the
diagram is reached
80°

2005 OM
80°
The “E” portion
of the diagram --
360° Rotation
About vertical axis

2005 OM
The “E” portion of the
diagram begins here. .
80°

2005 OM
Partial rotation about
Vertical axis

2005 OM
More rotation about
Vertical axis

2005 OM
Even more rotation about
Vertical axis

2005 OM
Rotated 180° about
Vertical axis

2005 OM
Continuing Rotation about
Vertical axis

2005 OM
Vertical axis

2005 OM
Vertical axis

2005 OM
360° of Rotation about
Vertical axis completed

2005 OM
200° Range
of Rotation
80°
280°

2005 OM
Start here with inclination

Uphill or Downhill 15°
Face of weld upward
15°

2005 OM
Rotate face while holding

Inclination constant
15°

2005 OM
Continue rotating with

15°

2005 OM
Rotated to vertical limit

15°
280°
2005 OM
Return to starting position

Face of weld upward
15°

2005 OM
Rotate face of weld

Opposite direction
Inclination Constant 15°
15°

2005 OM
Continue rotating
Opposite direction
15°

2005 OM
Plate near vertical

15°

2005 OM
Plate at vertical limit

of rotation.
80°
15°

2005 OM
200° Range of
Rotation inclined
80°
15°
280°
2005 OM
80°
200° Range of Rotation

Inclination angle
Increases 280°

2005 OM
80°
200° Range of Rotation
Inclination angle
Increases more. . .
280°

2005 OM
Vertical Position 360°
Composite
65°
200°
80°
© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C 280°

2005 OM
160° range
Welding Positions for Fillet Welds

2005 OM
Flat Fillet Weld

2005 OM
Horizontal Fillet Weld

2005 OM

2005 OM
Tabulation of Positions of Fillet Welds

Flat A 0 to 15° 150 to 210°
Horizontal B 0 to 15° 125 t0 150°
210 to 235°
Overhead C 0 to 80° 0 to125°
235 to 360°
E 80 to 90° 0 to 360°

2005 OM
The Horizontal Range
Is smaller for fillet welds
Than it is for groove welds

2005 OM
Welding Positions for Groove Welds

2005 OM
Questions?
Feedback?
Can you explain the diagrams to
your friends?
Send e-mail to:

Sperko@asme.org

2005 OM

Welding Positions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Welding Positions

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Welding Positions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Understanding

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

±15° Plate Horizontal

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

Test Positions  Welding Positions

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

Position Diagram Reference Inclination of Axis Rotation of Face

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

Position Diagram Reference Inclination of Axis Rotation of Face

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

Position Diagram Reference Inclination of Axis Rotation of Face

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

Position Diagram Reference Inclination of Axis Rotation of Face

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

±15° Plate Horizontal

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

Position Diagram Reference Inclination of Axis Rotation of Face

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

Position Diagram Reference Inclination of Axis Rotation of Face

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

© Sperko Engineering 0° WWW.SPERKOENGINEERING.C

Weld can rotate about