In New England where manufacturers and companies utilizing welding and its technologies are spread out over a large area, it is often difficult or costly to send employees for training. In response to the need to increase the availability of training, the New England School of Metalwork, a non-profit educational facility specializing in the welding and blacksmithing trades based in Auburn, Maine, conceived the idea of constructing a Mobile Weld Training Center (MWTC) that would allow companies to train employees at their own facilities, thus eliminating travel concerns.

AMI Signs On As Sponsor

The idea received enthusiastic support from the school's principal supporter, Maine Oxy, a leader in welding, industrial gases and specialty gases. However, additional sponsors were needed to help make the mobile center a reality. That's where Auburn Manufacturing, Inc., (AMI) a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of hot work blankets, curtains and pads, came in. The company donated customized panels for the training center's eight welding stations. “Joining Maine Oxy to promote this project is an excellent fit for us,” com•mented AMI President and CEO, Kathie Leonard, “Maine Oxy is an important customer and both our companies are committed to ensuring the safety of welding operations. The more training craftsmen receive in their field, the more efficiently and safely they can work.”

Safety Always a Priority In Hot Work Operations

"Welding has become a vast, technical field and training is absolutely essential to fully understand the characteristics and requirements of each welding process,” continued Leonard. “When it comes to performing any hot work operation, safety is always the highest priority. One of the safety requirements for any hot work operation is the use of “fire blanket” to protect the area from sparks, slag and fire. The use of third-party tested and rated materials is always recommended in such environments. That's why we constructed the panels for the welding stations from fabrics that are certified to the new ANSI/FM 4950 Standard - the highest internationally recog•nized standard for quality, safety, and performance.”

About the ANSI/FM 4950 Standard

The ANSI/FM 4950 industry standard sets performance requirements for welding pads, welding blankets and welding curtains to prevent the ignition of combustibles during welding, cutting and other hot work operations. Under ANSI/FM 4950, fabrics are rated based on severity of use. This helps end-users determine which level of protection is correct for a specific hot work operation, which can then be relied upon for consistent quality and performance.

A Customized Solution

“WeldingThe panels were a first for AMI. “We primarily produce fabrics but are also able to produce curtains and blankets with grommets for vertical protection,” said Leonard, “Never before had we combined translucent vinyl material with our high heat fabrics to create such a finished welding structure. It was a fun project and we are very pleased with the outcome.” The production process began by visiting the school, taking measurements and then producing the panels. Leonard and other AMI personnel personally installed the finished panels in the MWTC. “It's just one example of how we provide customized solutions for a given application,” added Leonard.

Mobile Facility is Completely Self-Sufficient

The MWTC is a fully self-sufficient 8 ft. wide by 48 ft. long mobile facility capable of training up to eight students at one time. It is fully handicapped accessible and can be delivered to a company's site and be ready to train in 10 minutes. The actual training area occupies the first 36 ft. A soundproof utility room containing the generator and other mechanical equipment occupies the remainder of the trailer.
The welding equipment installed in the MWTC includes eight Lincoln Invertec 350 amp inverter-style multi-process power sources. According to school instructor Warren Swan, “This equipment gives us the flexibility to teach four welding processes (GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, and FCAW). Two of the 350's have an advanced process panel that allows pulse welding in the GMAW process. In addition, each power source is hooked to a Lincoln LN25 “suitcase” wire-feeder for the GMAW and FCAW processes.”

MWTC Introduces Welding to Area School Students

In addition to increasing the availability of training, the school also wanted to be able to introduce the welding industry to students in area school systems. “Welders are in huge demand today,” commented Swan. “One way to promote welding is to visit schools with the MWTC and give demonstrations to students who are considering different career options.”

Working on Accreditation

“WeldingThe MWTC is designed not only to provide hands-on training but also to serve as a classroom for trade theory, technical data and safety training. “We will be working with the American Welding Society (AWS) to certify the MWTC as an accredited test facility. Welding certifications received in an accredited facility are recognized nationwide.”

Training Raises Productivity and Quality of Work

The bottom line, said Swan, is that training raises the level of productivity as well as the quality of the work, thus offering the public a better service with a higher profitability to the craftsman. He added, “We are very excited about the prospect of enabling that to happen through the use of the MWTC.”