We live in an age where machinery is a necessary part of almost all industries and all homes. Almost everyone you know probably has a car or kitchen appliances made out of metal. You probably realize that metal doesn’t just come out perfectly in the shapes we need to make our beloved heavy duty products. Instead, people weld and mold metals to create the shapes we need to create our appliances. The professionals who are experts at welding materials together are called welders.
Welding is the science of joining or fusing together heavy duty materials, like metals, to create a wide range of different products and machines. Welders are the individuals who create strengthened products and structures by joining materials together to create joints. Welders create these high-strength joints through a number of welding techniques using heating and melting. Welders use specialized tools to weld materials together, and because of the widespread use of metals and other heavy-duty materials to construct materials, buildings, and other products, welding is a career with ample opportunities.
Welding, as a career, hit the ground running at the turn of the 19th century with industrial revolution. Welding, at that time was done through forge welding to create big ships and other machines used in factories. Since then, welding as a discipline has advanced through a number of different techniques. Welders are found in all kinds of industries. Some industries even use robotic machinery to weld materials together without the use of a human laborer.
Welders use a number of different materials in their line of work. Common materials are composites, alloys, or metals. They also use a number of laser, heating, and melting tools. The use of these materials and high-power tools mean that welders sometimes work in dangerous environments. Welders must always be cognizant of their own safety and the safety of others working around them.
On a daily basis, welders may perform a variety of tasks depending on the industry they work in. Welding is a part of virtually every industry, which means many welders have the benefit of being in a career that promises change each day. Common duties that welders perform in construction industries are studying blueprints and sketches to create sturdy building joints to specification. All welders must calculate dimensions of materials to be welding and inspect materials and structures to be welded together. Welders also use high power tools and monitor the welding process to avoid overheating materials. Welders are also responsible for maintaining the equipment they use on the job.
If welding sounds like the career for you, then you have many career options. Welders work in all kinds of industries. Make sure to focus on details and understand the chemical elements of the materials you’re working with!
