The years 2020 and 2021 marked a transformative period for welding inspection technology, driven by the global pandemic and the accelerated adoption of Industry 4.0 principles . During this time, the field transitioned from a reactive, manual-heavy discipline toward a proactive, data-driven ecosystem. Key advancements centered on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), remote visual inspection (RVI), and the release of foundational industry standards like the . 1. Digitalization and AI Integration
The landscape of welding inspection in 2020 and 2021 was characterized by a forced evolution. The constraints of 2020 necessitated remote capabilities, while the technological maturation of 2021 provided the tools to make those capabilities reliable and robust. The era moved the industry away from subjective, film-based, manual processes toward objective, data-centric, and digital workflows. As documented in the technical literature of the time, this transition has laid the foundation for the current era of inspection, where data integrity is valued as highly as structural integrity.
The benefits of non-contact inspection were particularly evident in the 2020 work on for wire + arc additive manufactured (WAAM) samples, published in Ultrasonics . The LU system, comprising a pulsed laser and a laser interferometer, achieved non-contact inspection of artificial defects—cracks, flat-bottom holes, and through-holes—without requiring surface machining. This approach is ideal for additively manufactured components and high-value parts where surface preparation is impractical. Research on finite element simulation of laser-generated ultrasonic waves for quantitative detection of internal weld defects, published in Optik (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijleo.2020.165361), enabled detailed analysis of the interaction between laser-generated Rayleigh waves and internal defects. welding inspection technology 2020 pdf 2021
The most fundamental and cost-effective method. VT requires proper lighting, gauges (such as Cambridge or Hi-Lo gauges), and a trained eye to catch surface discontinuities before they are buried under subsequent weld passes.
Pre‑weld inspection: material IDs, fit‑up, joint dimensions, cleanliness and preheat. The years 2020 and 2021 marked a transformative
The developments of 2020-2021 point toward several future trends:
May 2026 Reading Time: 8 minutes
Standard reference guides from 2021 focused heavily on configuring focal laws and interpreting S-scans (sectorial scans) to replace industrial radiography. Full Matrix Capture (FMC) and Total Focusing Method (TFM)
: The content is organized into 11 chapters covering the full "Body of Knowledge" required for the CWI exam: Welding Inspection and Certification Safe Practices for Welding Inspectors Metal Joining Processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, etc.) Cutting Processes (OFC, CAC-A, PAC, etc.) Weld Joint Geometry and Welding Symbols The era moved the industry away from subjective,