To build all this into a computer program would be impossible without a wide knowledge of the sources available. Weldspec 4 has been designed to help the welding engineer write and draft new welding procedures while still giving the benefits of speed and editing of existing procedures in Microsoft Windows . Typical interactions between customer, fabricator and inspector Welding engineering and metallurgy Software development and knowledge representation techniques. Because anything hard coded within software is difficult to change, Weldspec's knowledge base is stored externally to the main program so it can be modified. However, unlike welding procedures, WPQs are only valid for a specified time without practice or additional testing.
Certificates expire, so the fast sorting capability of computers is even more beneficial.
By integrating another program called Welderqual 4 with Weldspec 4 to share a database of welder details, WPQs can be created directly from welding procedures. The management of welding procedures and performance qualifications can save time and reduce errors. However, if this is integrated with software to manage production welding and quality control, the benefits can be multiplied. The Problems Most fabricators work in a compartmentalized way. The functions of design, engineering, production and quality control are discrete, and communication is often difficult, which creates problems.