Stratford's Welding training course has 5 Modules and a total of 14 lessons.
This course is self-guided with ongoing support from instructors as requested. Once you successfully pass exams in one module, the next module will be made available to you.
Welding for Beginners
Module 1 - Lesson 1
An Introduction to Welding
Understanding the Arc
Filler Metal
Flux and Shielding Gas
Grounding Principles, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding
Considerations for Studio Layout
Safety and Protective Gear
Overview of Equipment and Tools
Aspects of The Angle Grinder and Other Cutting Tools
Selecting, Buying and Prepping your materials
Hot Roll and Cold Roll
Preparing Metal
Changing the Grinder Disk
Module 1 - Lesson 2
An Overview of Welding Practices
Controlling the Puddle
Pushing and Pulling Techniques
Maintaining Comfort in the Work Area
Aspects of Hand Position; Managing Heat and Metal Thickness
Selecting Clamps for Tacking
Practicing The Draw
The Fundamental Joints
Fabricating Jigs and Introductory Projects
Welding Fundamentals Volume 1
Module 2 - Lesson 1
Welding as a Career
Job Types, Workplace Skills, Personal Skills, Evaluation Tests and Entrepreneurship
Further Safety Practices in the Welding Shop
Safety Data Sheets and Other Publications
A Brief History of Welding
Arc Welding
Oxyfuel Gas Welding
Resistance Welding
Plasma Arc Cutting
Module 2 - Lesson 2
An Introduction to the Physics of Welding
Properties of Metals
Effects of Welding
Common Units of Measurement
Math for Welding
Introduction to STEM
Whole Numbers, Fractions, Decimals and Converting Between Fractions and Decimals
Measuring Length
Overview of Shapes
Aspects of Measuring Shapes
Additional Units of Measurement, Estimating for Welding Work
Module 2 - Lesson 3
Further Studies in Weld Joints and Positions
Types of Welds
Weld Beads and Weld Passes
Joint Geometry
Welding Positions
An Introduction to Welding Symbols and Print Reading
Three-View Drawings, Isometric drawings, Title Block and Print Reading
Welding Symbols
Plug and Slot Welds
Spot Welds
Seam Welds
Welding Fundamentals Volume 2
Module 3 - Lesson 1
An Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
SMAW Current and Polarity
Direct Current and Alternating Current
Equipment Assembly and Adjustment for SMAW
Aspects of the Welding Machine
Input Power and Output Connections
Electrode and Workpiece Leads
Understanding SMAW Electrodes
Selecting an Electrode: Type of Metal, Metal Thickness and Joint Alignment
SMAW in the Flat Position
Striking an Arc and Arc Blow
Running a Weld Bead
Drag Welding
Cleaning the Weld
Weld Defects
Module 3 - Lesson 2
Additional Positions in SMAW
Welding in the Horizontal Position
Welding in the Vertical Position
SMAW in the Overhead Position
Surfacing Principles and Surfacing Electrodes
Electrode Classifications
The SMAW Surfacing Process
An Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
Short Circuiting Transfer
Globular Transfer
Spray Transfer
GMAW and FCAW Equipment
Power supply and Wire Feeders
Welding Guns and Shielding Gases
Regulators and Flowmeters
Module 3 - Lesson 3
GMAW and FCAW Assembly and Setup
Operating the Cylinder, Regulator and Flowmeter
Aspects of the Welding Machine and Wire Feeder
Removing a Bird?s Nest
Selecting a Shielding Gas
Adjusting the Shielding Gas and Flowmeter
Electrode Wire Composition
GMAW and FCAW in the Flat Position
Handling the Welding Gun
Laying and Adjusting a Weld Bead
Making a Fillet Weld
Welding a Butt Joint
Welding Aluminum
Additional Positions in GMAW and FCAW
Welding Fundamentals Volume 3
Module 4 - Lesson 1
An Introduction to the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Machine
Direct Current (DC) Welding and Alternating Current (AC) Welding
Pulsed Current GTAW
Voltage for Electrical Connections and Wiring to a Circuit Breaker
Selecting a Welding Rod Diameter
Distance of Electrode to Base Metal
Electrode Placement for Alternate Welding Positions
Full-Penetration Welds for Butt Joints
Flowrates for the Overhead Welding Position
Module 4 - Lesson 2
An Introduction to Plasma Cutting
Travel Speed, Dross and Plasma Gases for Gouging
Oxyfuel Gas Cutting and Welding Equipment and Supplies
Pressure Regulators
Single-Stage, Two Stage and The Regulator Adjusting Screw
Oxygen Working Pressure Gauges
Backfires, Sustained Backfires and Flashbacks
Preheating Orifices and Cutting Oxygen Orifice
Evaluating Welding Torch Tips
Welding Rod Diameters
Module 4 - Lesson 3
Aspects of Oxyfuel Gas Cutting Equipment
Operating the Positive Pressure Torch and Purging
Checking for Internal and External Pressure Leaks
Elements of a Neutral Flame
Lighting and Adjusting the Flame of a Welding Torch
Shutdown Steps for an Oxyacetylene Welding Outfit
Heating Oxyfuel Gas Flames to Ignition Temperature
Understanding Slag and Kerf
Torch and Hand Positioning
Employing the Backhand Welding Method
Work Angle, Drag Angle and Carrying a Continuous Weld Pool
Evaluating a Keyhole
Welding Fundamentals Volume 4
Module 5 - Lesson 1
Introduction to Resistance Welding
Methods of Applying Force to Metal
Controllers in Spot Welding
Common Electrode Materials
Electrode Tip Diameters
Understanding Current Density
Settings and Weld Schedules for Carbon Steel
Pipe and Tube Welding
Understanding Pipe Schedule Numbers
Submerged Arc Welding
Positions for Tack Welds
Travel Angles for Uphill Welding
Drag Travel Angle for Downhill Welding
Weld Passes on Alloy Steel Pipes or Tubes
Maintaining a Consistent Root Pass
Module 5 - Lesson 2
Introduction to Robotics in Welding
E
lectric Actuators and Servomotors
Robotic Components
Understanding the Robot Controller
Safety Considerations in the Robot Working Volume
Special Welding and Cutting Processes
Transferred Arc and Non-Transferred Arc Process
Joining Dissimilar Metals with Friction Welding
The Advantages of Ultrasonic Welding
Welding Plastics with Hot Air
Module 5 - Lesson 3
Inspecting Welds for Flaws
Using Dyes and Fluorescent Liquids for Penetrant Examination
Tensile Strength and Ductility Formula
Free Bend Testing
F
illet Weld Break Test
Determining the Hardness of a Metal
Welder Certification
Widely Used Codes for Welding
Understanding Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
Testing to Become Qualified in Each Welding Position
The Importance of Experience in Employment Considerations
Understanding and Defining Work Orders
This educational program is an introductory course designed to help students gain knowledge necessary for the vocational application of this subject. Completion of this program does not fulfill the legal requirements of particular state licenses or certifications, which may require additional training or apprenticeships. One or more of the course subjects/textbooks may vary as courses are updated.
