Submitted
At the end of September, North Central Kansas Technical College graduate Blake Schroeder qualified for Project MFG’s National Welding competition. Project MFG is a program that is hosted by the Department of Defense Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program.
In this competition, welders had a two-hour time frame and were given prints and welding procedure specifications to complete their project using gas metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding processes to fabricate a carbon steel pressure vessel.
The competition tested Schroeder’s real-time problem-solving skills, his knowledge of welding techniques and principles, time management, and ability to read and understand blueprints.
On day one, Schroeder was challenged with a written test and a virtual stick welding challenge in Lincoln Electric’s virtual reality welding lab. The following day, competitors were faced with a time limit and unexpected change orders and were required to incorporate a creative element in their projects. Blake ended up being the first one to complete his project, which gave him bonus points.
All projects were visually inspected along with being pressure tested. In the end, competitors could receive up to 100 points for the weld portion, the written test and the virtual challenge. Schroeder placed in third with just a seven point difference from first place. First through third place received monetary prizes, but all competitors received duffle bags of Lincoln Electric tools, welding jackets with their names on them, and welding helmets.
The event was sponsored by Osborn International Inc., Lincoln Electric, and the Department of Defense. Anyone that wishes to watch the competition can view on YouTube by searching: Clash of Trades: Episode 2 National Welding Challenge.