The Welding Institute

News

  • 31 Mar 2023 10:00 AM | Anonymous

    Sir Peter RylandsOver the last century, The Welding Institute has welcomed over 55 presidents. As well-respected experts within their respective fields, the honorary role of president, involves developing and expanding the influence of The Welding Institute.

    Current President

    In September 2022, Professor Dame Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE FREng FRS was appointed by The Welding Institute Council as president.

    Baroness Brown is the first female president of The Welding Institute, representing a significant milestone in our century-long history.

    Baroness Brown has made significant contributions to the STEM industry, alongside her achieving an MA in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Fracture Mechanics. She has accrued expertise in her field leading to her achieving many accolades in recognition including the Grunfeld,  John Collier, Lunar Society, Constance Tipper, Bengough, Kelvin and Leonardo da Vinci medals; as well as the Erna Hamburger Prize and the 2012 President's Prize of the Engineering Professors' Council. These contributions are not limited to academic and professional but also philanthropic, with her involvement in chairing the Science and Technology Select Committee, the Carbon Trust, STEM Learning Ltd and the Adaptation Committee of Climate Change Committee.

    Whilst also gaining knowledge in her field, she has shared her expertise with students and peers; with preceding roles including a decade spent as the Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, being the Principal of the Engineering Faculty at Imperial College, London, and holding senior business and engineering posts at Rolls-Royce plc.

    Term of office

    Name

    1923-1925

    Sir R Rylands-Bart

    1925-26

    Charles Bingham

    1926-28

    Professor F C Thompson

    1928-29

    Lewis J Yeoman

    1929-30

    A L Haggerty

    1930-31

    L M Fox

    1931-32

    W R J Britten

    1932-33

    A E Shorter, MBE

    1933-34

    E A Atkins

    1934-35

    C W Hill

    1935-37

    Sir Alexander Gibb GBE, CB

    1937-42

    Sir William Larke, KBE

    1942-44

    Sir Ralph Freeman

    1994-46

    W W Watt, CBE

    1946-47

    A Dyson

    1947-48

    J L Adam CBE

    1948-49

    J H Patterson

    1949-50

    O V S Bulleid, CBE

    1950-51

    C S Milne

    1951-52

    Howard J Thompson

    1952-54

    A Robert Jenkins JP

    1954-55

    R G Braithwaite

    1955-56

    R G Weddell

    1956-58

    Sir Charles S Lillicrap, KCB, MBE

    1958-59

    J Strong

    1959-60

    E Seymor-Semper

    1960-61

    E Fuchs

    1961-62

    H West

    1962-63

    W Barr, OBE

    1963-65

    L Redshaw

    1965-66

    Prof J G Ball

    1966-67

    Nicol Gross

    1967-68

    J F Lancaster

    1968-71

    Sir Kenneth Hague

    1971-73

    Prof Sir John Baker, OBE FRS

    1973-75

    A Robert Jenkins, CBE JP

    1975-77

    Sir Ralph Freeman, CVO, CBE

    1977-79

    Sir Leonard Redshaw

    1979-81

    M M Pennell, CBE, FRS

    1981-83

    Sir Dennis Rooke, CBE, FRS, FEng

    1983-85

    Sir Hugh Ford, FRS, FREng

    1985-87

    D R Lomer, CBE

    1987-89

    Rt Hon Lord Gregson

    1989-90

    Sir Monty Finniston, FRS, FEng

    1991-93

    Sir Robert Easton, CBE

    1993-95

    J G Collier

    1995-98

    Prof Sir B Crossland, CBE, FRS, FEng

    1998-00

    Professor B G Neal, FEng

    2000-02

    Prof B Mellitt, FREng

    2002-04

    Prof R Boucher, CBE, FREng

    2004-06

    Prof M F Burdekin, FREng FRS FWeldI

    2006-08

    Rt Hon the Lord Trefgarne PC

    2008-11

    Richard Sadler FREng FWeldI

    2011-2014

    John Baxter, FREng FRSE FWeldI

    2014 - 2016

    Bertil Pekkari HonFWeldI

    2017 - 2019

    Steve Dearden

    2019 - 2022

    Dave Holmes

    2022 - current 

    Baroness Brown DBE FRS FRAeS FInstP CEng FREng

  • 27 Mar 2023 11:30 AM | Anonymous

    Our Structures and Infrastructures Technical Group will be hosting their first online Technical Group of the year, from 11:00am – 1:00pm (UK time) on 20 April 2023.

    The event, which is titled, ‘Welding Inspection and Testing Requirements for Building and Bridge Works in the UK,’ will provide an overview of BS EN 1090-2 requirements for inspection and NDT and review the additional requirements specified for buildings and bridges in the UK and more.

    Who Should Attend?

    Those involved with the specifying, procuring and undertaking of inspection and NDT on structural steelwork, e.g., fabrication shop managers and supervision staff, engineers, NDT technicians, welding engineers.

    Speakers and Presentations:

    • Julian French, Partner, Sandberg LLP - Inspection and Testing of Welding to BS EN 1090-2
    • Alexander Tsougranis, NDT Programme Manager, TWI Ltd - An Explanation and Demonstration of the use of Ultrasonic Testing to Comply with BS EN ISO 17640, BS EN 11666 and BS EN ISO 23279
    • Julian French, Partner, Sandberg LLP - Requirements for the Inspection and Testing of Building and Bridge Works in the UK

    FULL EVENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS


  • 23 Mar 2023 12:00 PM | Anonymous


    Martin Boyd BEng EWE IWE CEng MWeldI studied Materials Engineering with a Diploma in Industrial Studies at Loughborough University and currently works at Rolls-Royce plc as a welding engineer.

    His current job responsibilities include covering procedure qualifications, welder qualifications, supply chain support and new product introduction across a broad range of welding processes and materials. Martin joined The Welding Institute in July 2007 and shares with us his journey through engineering and his experience of being a volunteer with us!

    Introduction to you and your career in engineering

    Why did you choose a career in engineering?

    I was interested in engineering from school and worked one summer, at 17, at a local precision engineering company. From then, my eyes were opened to the possibilities, and then I never looked back.

    What is one of your biggest career highlights or achievements that you’re most proud of?

    I worked for 4 years as the welding lead for one of the components on Rolls-Royce’s new UltraFan engine, which is due to be tested later this year. I saw it installed on the test bed a couple of weeks ago and was in awe of the overall assembly.

    What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career and how did you overcome this?

    I think the biggest challenge in my career, which is also something that will always be there to a degree, is the people side of things. Engineering is based on numbers and technical data, but none of that matters if you cannot influence people to take action based on that. Over my career, I have come to understand this better and is now a priority in any project.

    Early Professional Membership

    Why did you initially join The Welding Institute?

    I was working as a joining engineer in the joining development section at AWE. As a team, we were involved with TWI Ltd, so joining The Welding Institute felt like the right thing to do.

    Tell us a bit about the process of becoming a Member of The Welding Institute.

    I first joined as a Graduate Member (GradWeldI), as I was early in my career and this seemed the appropriate level. Several years passed and I was moved to Associate Membership (AWeldI) where I stayed for several more years. Eventually, with the encouragement of one of the membership officers, I finally applied for Member and Incorporated Engineer (MWeldI / IEng). About two years after that I applied for my Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, which was in 2020.

    Professional Registration

    Are you professionally registered?

    Yes, I registered as IEng in 2016 and then CEng in 2020.

    What was the process of Professional Registration like and why did you choose to become professionally registered?

    Ever since I started working as a graduate, I was encouraged to aim for professional registration and that support in the early years set my resolve to achieve it. Although it took many more years than I expected to achieve my goal, this was largely down to me getting around to applying. Once I actually started the process, it was relatively straightforward and this is now what I tell others who are considering applying.

    Current Membership

    How has professional membership/registration helped you throughout your career?

    I achieved IEng shortly before transferring roles, then CEng before transferring roles again. This, I feel, gave me a demonstrated advantage that my peers had assessed me and found me to meet that external standard. Furthermore, the mind-set that this process has imparted on me and the code of conduct that must be followed all help me to continually strive to be the best engineer that I can be.

    What membership benefits do you use the most and find the most helpful and why?

    The professional network that I have built up is invaluable through local branch events and larger scale events at Cambridge and at training courses. I also find the Welding and Joining Matters journal to be a great source of information and helps maintain my Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

    About Volunteering

    What current volunteer roles do you undertake?

    • Vice Chair for East Midlands Branch
    • Branch Management Representative for East Midlands Branch
    • Professional Review Interviewer (PRI)
    • Chair of Membership, Education and Registration Committee (MERC)
    • Mentor colleagues applying for membership

    Why do you undertake these volunteer roles and what are the benefits of volunteering with The Welding Institute?

    I really appreciated the resources available when I was early in my career, so it seemed like the right thing to do to take on these positions, to give back to the next generation coming through now. The various roles also give a good insight into how the Institute works and are excellent opportunities for networking.

    What advice would you give to anyone considering, or even currently undertaking volunteer roles with The Welding Institute?

    It can be very rewarding - but be careful how much you agree to do!

    Future (Membership and Career)

    What are your engineering aspirations?

    My future goal is to gain Fellow status (FWeldI). I also aim to get on to the Professional Board, which is the committee that I currently report to as Chair of MERC.

    Would you recommend Membership with The Welding Institute and why?

    Yes. This is the best place to be if you are involved with welding, joining and allied technologies. The Branches and Technical Groups are very approachable, and the content of the talks are excellent. The Welding Institute staff are very friendly and helpful.

    What advice would you give or what would you say to your younger self beginning your career in engineering?

    Get on with it. I waited for many years before applying for Member and IEng, probably 10 years later than I needed to. This is personal professional development, you are the person who needs to motivate yourself - but there’s plenty of help out there if you ask.


  • 17 Mar 2023 9:00 AM | Anonymous

    Our Materials Technical Group will be hosting their first online Technical Group of the year, from 9:30am – 1:00pm (UK time) on 4 April 2023.

    The event, which is titled, ‘Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys - Metallurgy, Properties, Fabrication and Applications’ will provide an overview of alloy developments - covering their metallurgy, properties and applications, and providing a strategic insight into the significance of these materials.

    Who Should Attend?

    Engineers, Technicians, Project Managers, Consultants, Metallurgists, Materials Scientists, Researchers and Students

    Speakers and Presentations:

    • Jan Lukaszewski, Technical Manager, ALFED - Understanding and Selecting the Correct Aluminium Alloy
    • Gene Mathers, Consultant - Weldability of Aluminium
    • Mike Gittos, Technology Fellow, TWI Ltd - Aluminium Alloy Weld Metallurgical Case Study
    • Jonathan Martin - Section Manager, TWI Ltd - Friction Stir Welding of Aluminium Alloys

    FULL EVENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS


  • 16 Mar 2023 10:00 AM | Anonymous

    Mr Vipin George IEng, FCMI, CMgr, CMSS, CQA has achieved a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and has 22 years of experience in oil and gas upstream and EPC.

    Currently as a ‘Solopreneur’ with his SME, ‘VGQAE FZE’ in the UAE, he has a contract with the API (American Petroleum Institute, USA) for “Consulting Services for Auditing for APIQR/Monogram Programs.”

    Vipin joined The Welding Institute as a Professional Member in December 2014 after being certified as CSWIP Welding Quality Control Coordinator. He tells us his journey through engineering and how being a MWeldI Member has aided him in his career!

    Engineering and Career Background 

    Why did you choose a career in engineering?

    When I was young, I was fascinated by science and mechanical engineering as an evergreen field, and how it can help you adjust to any domain within industry. My background is quality and hence I am more into industry domains such as oil and gas, Industry 4.0 such as SMART manufacturing, and welding. Quality is my passion and I contribute individually and to organisations to make process improvements through my work. Quality in context is a broad domain, and specific areas I have interest in include quality assurance and quality control, welding, coatings and manufacturing. I have been a lifelong learner and therefore any areas where I can flex my mind and contribute to problem solving is of interest.

    What’s one of your biggest career highlights or achievements that you’re most proud of?

    I’m proud of my professional achievements such as being an Incorporated Engineer with the Engineering Council and The Welding Institute, becoming a Certified Quality Auditor with ASQ, a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, Certified Management System Specialist and a speaker at the Auditor Expo Forum with Exemplar Global USA, and now a Lead Auditor with the American Petroleum Institute USA.

    I believe in continuous professional development and professional membership has boosted my confidence level. From being a shy introvert to gaining such professional recognition in my journey, with God’s amazing grace, it gave me a new persona.

    What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career and how did you overcome this?

    There have been many challenges in my 22-year long career; however, I remember one distinct challenge in carrying out weld repair of a cladded dish, which had excessive pitting. The base material was clad bonded with carbon and ferrite steel. Consequently, this made the selection of welding consumable a challenge as well as maintaining the customer requirement of ferrite content. We used advanced NDT techniques such as PAUT and TOFD to identify any cracks after depositing the repaired welds. After conducting trials and iterations, we could finally see that the customer was happy as we overcame the problem through application of engineering codes and best practices.

    Another challenge was that I was tasked with setting up EN 1090-1 and ISO 3834 execution class II certification. The challenge I was posed with was that this company did not have an existing QMS and hence developing QMS and realigning procedures and process to meet EN 1090-1 and ISO 3834 was difficult. I developed a welding quality manual, including welding procedures as per EN 15614 and fabrication process control procedures. My Incorporated Engineering certification helped me to qualify as a Responsible Welding Coordinator as per the criteria set by the notified body as per EN regulations. With the application of engineering codes and standards and aligning QMS processes to meet product conformity, awareness training of employees led to getting the execution class II certification for the company.

    Early Professional Membership

    Why did you initially join The Welding Institute?

    TWI is a known training provider for welding and engineering and so I registered with The Welding Institute after attaining the CSWIP Welding Quality coordinator certification. I was looking for further enhancement of my overall portfolio and hence I applied for the incorporated engineer route.

    Professional Registration and Membership

    What is your professional registration title/grade?

    I am an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

    When and why did you choose to become professionally registered?

    I became an Incorporated Engineer on the 29 January 2015.

    The Engineering Council is a widely known professional body and, since I was a CSWIP Welding Quality Control coordinator, I thought the next step in my career would be professional recognition and that’s how I got in touch with The Welding Institute.

    How has Professional Registration with the Engineering Council supported you in your career?

    Professional registration always helps you to distinctively standout and has consequently helped me on my next qualification as a Chartered Manager. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) ensures continual improvement and now I’m also a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

    How has Professional Membership as MWeldI supported you in your career?

    My professional membership helped me to become a Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC) with my previous employers and I also met their Notified Bodies’ RWC criteria, even though I was not an IWE/IWT.

    Current Membership

    What membership benefits do you use the most and find the most helpful and why?

    The job knowledge and weld-search sections are useful as well as the webinars.

    Future (Membership and Career)

    What are your engineering aspirations?

    My current aspiration is to be a subject matter expert in quality. I would like to learn new concepts in plastic piping inspection/composites, which is widely used in the oil and gas industry these days, however, less guidelines are available on how this can be achieved. With Industry 4.0 and 5.0 and The Welding Institute’s 100 years of experience in the welding industry, it can help shape the future generation.

    Would you recommend Membership with The Welding Institute and why?

    Membership with The Institute as a professional is useful to enhance your knowledge as you have access to the library. My Incorporated Engineer certification has helped me on my CPD to achieve other industry accolades and I am still learning.

    What advice would you give or what would you say to your younger self beginning your career in engineering?

    Invest yourself in enhancing your knowledge by joining such membership bodies where you have access to case studies, membership newsletters/magazines and journals, and volunteering opportunities, which will broaden your existing skills and experience.

  • 9 Mar 2023 10:30 AM | Anonymous

    In celebration of The Welding Institute’s 100 year anniversary, we interviewed TWI Technology Fellow Eur Ing Charles Schneider MA CEng FInstNDT MWeldI to find out more about his appointment as a TWI Technology Fellow, in 2015, and how his Membership, since 2007, with The Welding Institute has supported his career.


    Engineering and Career Background

    Achieving an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Oxford University in 1984, Eur Ing Charles Schneider MA CEng FInstNDT MWeldI later joined TWI in 1997 and currently works in the Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE) Group with his main responsibilities including:

    • Assessment of NDE reliability
    • Inspection qualification / performance demonstration
    • NDE input to Engineering Critical Assessment (e.g. for BS 7910)
    • Statistical analysis (across TWI)

    Why did you choose a career in engineering?

    I originally joined the Central Electricity Generating Board because I wanted to use my mathematical skills to solve practical problems. During my 11 years with the power industry, I very much focussed on the development and application of theoretical models of ultrasonic testing, mostly for the nuclear sector. Joining TWI brought me into contact with other inspection methods and with other engineering disciplines, e.g. structural assessment and welding engineering. This naturally led me to apply my skills more broadly, e.g:

    • Developing statistical models for the reliability of other NDE methods
    • Developing TWI’s Best Practice Guide on the statistical analysis of fatigue data
    • Providing advice on NDE input to structural assessment
    • Inspection qualification
    • Use of statistical methods to extrapolate corrosion mapping data both in time and to uninspected regions of large plant items


    Early Professional Membership

    Why did you initially join The Welding Institute?

    My manager at TWI recommended that I become a Professional Member during my annual appraisal. I was already a Professional Member of an Institute in my specialist area, but I felt that becoming a Professional Member of The Welding Institute would further strengthen my CV and would allow me to network with welding professionals.

    Tell us a bit about the process of becoming a Member of The Welding Institute:

    When I became a Professional Member, my career was already well-established and I was already CEng registered. The application was therefore relatively straightforward, simply based on the application form, an extended CV, training report, organogram and a list of my publications (authenticated as necessary).


    Professional Registration

    Are you professionally registered?

    Yes

    • Chartered Engineer (CEng) – 2003
    • European Engineer (EurIng) – 2004

    What was the process of achieving Professional Registration like and why did you choose to become professionally registered?

    Again, my manager at TWI recommended that I become professionally registered during an annual appraisal. I also felt that this would strengthen my CV and widen the range of TWI contract work that I could undertake.

    My career was already well-established when I applied for Professional Registration, so I followed a ‘mature candidate’ route, which was relatively straightforward, i.e. application form and interview. The interview process helped me understand the Engineering Council competences and what type of evidence is needed to demonstrate them. This insight helped me later in my career when, in turn, I became a mentor for other CEng applicants.


    Current Membership

    How has professional membership/registration helped you throughout your career?

    Some tender processes require CEng or equivalent. It also helps in demonstrating professional credibility, e.g. it can help in securing contract work as an expert witness in litigation cases.

    What are your core involvements with The Welding Institute, what do they entail and why do you undertake them?

    • I often attend Branch meetings, Technical Group meetings and technical webinars
    • I have delivered presentations at various Welding Institute events, e.g. at Structural Integrity, Offshore Oil and Gas, Pressure and Process Plant, and Welding Processes Technical Group meetings
    • I have published several technical papers in TWI’s Bulletin journal
    • I am a registered mentor with IMechE’s Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS)
    • I have been a mentor to a number of TWI staff, either through MPDS or more informally, e.g. as agreed through TWI’s appraisal system

    What membership benefits do you use the most and find the most helpful and why?

    Branch meetings, Technical Group meetings and technical webinars provide opportunities for professional networking with people outside my own specialism who I might not otherwise meet. These events also help in gaining a broader appreciation of different technical areas.


    TWI Technology Fellowship

    As a TWI Technology Fellow, you were selected by TWI’s Executive Team due to you having “made significant impact through technical excellence, expertise and knowledge transfer, and commitment to the development and coaching of colleagues.”

    How do you think your TWI Technology Fellowship and Professional Membership of The Welding Institute have aided one another?

    Professional Membership status is one of the criteria used by TWI when selecting Technology Fellows.

    TWI expects Technology Fellows to demonstrate commitment to their own continued professional development – one of the ways I do this is through involvement in Professional Membership activities, e.g. Branch meetings, Technical Group meetings, technical webinars.

    TWI also expects Technology Fellows to demonstrate commitment to, and track record in, the development and coaching of colleagues working in their area of expertise – one of the ways I do this is to encourage and support my mentees in applying for Professional Membership of The Welding Institute and Professional Registration (CEng).


    Future (Membership and Career)

    What are your engineering aspirations?

    • An important focus for me now is to pass on my knowledge and experience to others as I approach retirement, e.g. through on-the-job coaching/mentoring
    • Advise on strategy for inspection/qualification issues for new nuclear build
    • Persuade ASME to allow eddy current array testing in lieu of existing methods for surface examination, thereby reducing inspection time/cost for new nuclear build
    • Provide improved inputs on inspection reliability for TWI’s probabilistic assessments of structural integrity

    Would you recommend Membership with The Welding Institute?

    Yes, based on all the reasons highlighted before.

    What advice would you give or what would you say to your younger self beginning your career in engineering?

    • Seek out opportunities to exchange ideas with engineers you haven’t met before or those outside your immediate team; new ideas often result from meeting new people
    • Similarly, seek out cross-disciplinary projects; most customers place value on a holistic approach (one-stop shop)


  • 7 Mar 2023 11:00 AM | Anonymous

    Our Polymers and Composites Technical Group will be hosting their first online Technical Group event of the year, from 9:30am – 12:30pm (UK time) on the 30 March 2023.

    The event, which is titled, ‘Polymers and Composites in Oil and Gas and Energy Transition Applications’ will explore the diverse range of applications that use polymers and composites and why these special materials are selected. It will provide insight into the range of fluids and the harsh environments in which they must endure and perform reliably.

    The webinar will also touch on some recent developments, and how polymers and composites can play a role as we transition from traditional oil and gas to a cleaner hydrogen economy.

    Who Should Attend?

    Anyone who is interested in learning about how and why polymers and composites are used in oil, gas and energy transition applications.

    Speakers and Presentations:

    • Phil Berry, General Manager - Market Development, Future Pipe Industries (FPi) - 'Scale and diversity of composite pipes'
    • Dr Abderrazak Traïdia, Science Specialist and R&D Programme Lead, Aramco - 'Success and barriers to polymers and composites in O&G applications'
    • Dr Ramin Moslemian, Principal Consultant, Energy Systems, Offshore Infrastructures, DNV - 'Polymers and composites in the hydrogen economy'
    • Dr Bernadette Craster, Technology Fellow, TWI Ltd - 'The harsh environments that polymers and composites can endure'

    FULL EVENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS

  • 2 Mar 2023 1:30 PM | Anonymous

    As part of the 100 years anniversary celebrations, we are revisiting parts of our century long history – including an artefact from the early days of the Institute!

    71 years ago, in 1952, former wartime Minister for Food, Lord Woolton opened a new Fatigue Testing Laboratory at TWI’s Abington site.

    Lord Woolton used a ceremonial gavel to open the laboratory and it was this distinctive piece of history that was returned to The Welding Institute by David Natzler, who was passed the small wooden hammer by his friend.

    David’s father, Pierre Natzler, had been involved in welding all his life and had relations with The Welding Institute. Therefore, David kindly decided to honour his father by bequeathing the gavel to The Institute.

    The gavel includes an inscription on a silver plate which reads, “British Welding Research Association Used by the Rt Hon Lord Woolton P.C. C.H. to open the Fatigue Testing Laboratory at Abington – 23rd June 1952.

    A Unique Build

    The fatigue laboratory was built specifically to house a large Lösenhausen fatigue machine, with a 5 ton crane being brought in to help with the installation. The 200 tonne machine was the largest fatigue machine in the world at the time. While the Lösenhausen machine was remarkable for the period, the laboratory structure itself was also ground-breaking.

    The fatigue laboratory was one of the first buildings globally to be built using Plastic Design Theory, which was developed in the 1940s.

    Plastic Design Theory was a original approach to the design of steel-framed structures following research carried out under Cambridge University’s leadership. Professor John Baker carried out the research via a British Welding Research Association Committee on the Load Carrying Capacity of Frame Structures. This led to a 1948 amendment to BS 449, related to ‘The Use of Structural Steel in Building.’ Plastic Design Theory allowed design loads in steel framed structures to be more accurately calculated, and consequently permitted the use of smaller sections for beams and columns, leading to a more economical use of steel. As a result of this, the fracture laboratory was claimed to be 50% lighter than an equivalent conventional structure.

    While the Lösenhausen machine was certainly the catalyst behind the build of the new facility, the laboratory also housed other prominent pieces of equipment, including the ‘Jacks Rig,’ which was built by former TWI Chief Executive Bevan Braithwaite and is still in use today!

    Fatigue Laboratory Work

    The Lösenhausen machine was used frequently on a number of projects in the decades following, including for a programme testing the fatigue properties of joint designs, which led to an innovative new design standard. Leading to aid fatigue based failure in engineering components and structures. 

    The End of an Era

    Fatigue Lab Switch OffAfter 61 years of service, the fatigue laboratory was demolished in 2013, image to the right is of the laboratory being switched off, to make way for the building of new facilities at TWI’s headquarters near Cambridge. While the Jacks Rig was moved into the newly built engineering hall, the Lösenhausen machine was eventually taken out of service and replaced with newer rigs to perform industrial fatigue tests. 

    However, with the return of the gavel that was used to open the original fatigue laboratory, there remains a strong bond to the heritage of The Welding Institute and demonstrates the foundations of the work carried out on fatigue research and expertise.


  • 23 Feb 2023 9:00 AM | Anonymous

    Over our 100 year history, The Welding Institute has evolved from a small institution uniting 20 acetylene welders with electric arc welding engineers to now being the leading engineering institution supporting welding and joining professionals.

    A landmark in our history was our appointment as a Professional Engineering Institution, licenced by the Engineering Council. We wanted to take this opportunity to explore our unique relationship with the Engineering Council and, additionally, the importance of this milestone.

    What is the Engineering Council?

    As the UK regulatory body for the engineering profession, the Engineering Council holds national registers for over 228,00 engineers and technicians.

    The internationally recognised standards of professional competence and ethics that govern the award and retention of these titles are set and maintained by the Engineering Council, ensuring employers, government and wider society, both nationally and internationally, can be confident in the knowledge, experience and commitments of those holding professional registration titles.

    What is The Welding Institute’s relationship with the Engineering Council?

    As a professional engineering institution, The Welding Institute was granted licence from the Engineering Council in 1996 to assess candidates for inclusion on the national register of professional engineers and technicians, including the titles:

    Engineering Technician (EngTech) 

    Incorporated Engineer (IEng) 

    Chartered Engineer (CEng)

    With currently over 42.5% of our Members being professionally registered, The Welding Institute continues to work closely with the Engineering Council through professional registration and is licenced to carry out the process for accreditation and approval of educational programmes.

    A key element of the Engineering Council’s role as the regulator for the UK engineering profession is to set and maintain the standards for professional registration. This includes setting the criteria that education programmes must meet to become ‘accredited’ or ‘approved.’ Prospective students, employers and society have the assurance that accredited or approved programmes meet the standards set by the engineering profession.

    Benefits of Professional Registration and Membership with The Welding Institute

    Professional Recognition: professional registration evidences to others that you are competent due to the skills that you have demonstrated to the Engineering Council and, in turn, can lead to professional recognition from peers including employers, employees and clients.

    International recognition: your professional registration status is an internationally recognised title.

    Exposure to career opportunities: our membership benefits, that you gain access to through professional registration, can help you to progress within your career. For example, with our new exclusive Jobsite, which provides access to around 550 trusted companies offering relevant jobs in the welding, joining and allied technologies industries.

    Build new networks: by becoming professionally registered, you join a growing community, enabling you to become connected with peers and colleagues and other likeminded professionals.

    Industry Influence: as a professionally registered engineer or technician, you will be - or will be beginning to - take on responsibilities that support the development of other professionals. The knowledge and experience you gain from this can help you to gain greater influence within your industry.


    Don’t just take our word for it – hear from our Members how it’s supported them:

    “The fact that my experience is peer-reviewed speaks volumes. Not having a full bachelor’s degree could automatically make me exempt from some job roles. However, having IEng status shows that I can still work at that level using my experience.” - Carl Lavis IEng MWeldI IWS/EWS

    "I believe it is important to be acknowledged by my peers; mainly for recognition of competence, commitment and evidence of expertise" - Jade White BSc BEng (Hons) CEng MWeldI EWE/IWE


    Considering Professional Membership and Registration?

    If you’re interested in learning more about professional membership and registration, or beginning your journey to become professionally registered, find out more or speak to our membership team!


  • 16 Feb 2023 12:00 PM | Anonymous

    Although TWI Ltd and The Welding Institute are separate entities, there remains a level of cross-over between the two organisations, as demonstrated by Fellow CEng Alan Gifford, who related the story of how he, as a Professional Member, was influential in bringing non-destructive testing needs to the attention of TWI Ltd.

    As part of our centenary celebrations, The Institute reached out to Alan, who was working for Internal Combustion Ltd at the time of this tale, to take up the story for us here:

    "In the mid-1960s we (International Combustion Ltd) had accepted a contract to supply a 140 ton boiler drum in 4.5 inch (110mm) thick low alloy steel for an overseas client who, in turn, had appointed a British inspection body to oversee the manufacture and testing.

    We had, as an error of judgement, also unfortunately accepted a 100% ultrasonic testing procedure of the seams to an exacting ultra-high sensitivity scan.

    The circumferential welds were made by submerged arc welding, with pre-heat of 100°C minimum.

    When the ultrasonic testing was performed under the surveillance of a very diligent inspector, numerous very small inclusions were found.

    The repair of these ‘flaws’ was by excavating a groove up to 4” (100mm) deep, preheating and then hand welding to execute the repair.

    This was a very costly, technically unnecessary and time consuming operation.

    In addition, the drum was occupying an already planned, big area of shop floor space.

    We appealed to the client for a relaxation of the standard but, as we later found out, he did not require the drum due a change of programme.

    Whilst this was in hand we came across a similar reflector in a welded test plate associated with one of the seams.

    By careful cutting and machining we managed to expose the fault - it was a very small slag inclusion (maybe 1.5mm across the section) and about 80mm from the outer surface and it would have required a big excavation.

    I showed the section to my directors to try and explain the numerus repairs, ‘What does the BWRA Institute think?’ I was asked.

    So a meeting was set up with Doctor Richard Weck, who was the boss there at that time.

    A colleague and I soon headed to Cambridge and duly explained our problem.

    Dr Weck said that TWI did not deal with non-destructive testing as it was the role of the NDT specialists.

    I said NDE was an integral part of manufacture and then produced the polished and etched section and asked him to comment on it.

    His bushy eyebrows twitched and he studied it for maybe couple of minutes and said, ‘That looks a very good weld.’

    I then said but that is a reject and pointed out the inclusion.

    I cannot recall his exact words, but they were not very complementary, and then he sent for a young Tim Jessop who, as I recall, was the most NDE-minded person there and said to him, ‘Can you really find defects as small as that?’

    Tim said something like, ‘Yes, at high sensitivity, I suppose’

    ‘Then we must know more about NDE here’ doctor Weck replied.

    Thereafter, NDE testing of welds was on the agenda at TWI.

    But, as far as our client was concerned, no relaxation was offered, since he did not want the drum to be delivered.

    So we had to do all this work, which did nothing to improve the product.

    I, for one, was more than happy when we were finally able to ship the drum and I kept that section for many years but eventually lost it.”

    - Alan F Gifford CEng, FWeldI

    So, while the work may not have helped International Combustion Ltd with their client at the time, it was influential in progressing NDT at TWI Ltd, creating an important part of the business ever since!


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