Research article (SMAW),Advanced, SMAW electrodes
Welding technology,Welding efficiency,
Weld quality, Safety
What are the perceptions of grade 12
SMAW student regarding the use of
advanced SMAW electrodes Introduction
-The Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
process is one of the most commonly used
welding techniques in various industries,
Abstract particularly in construction, manufacturing,
-This study aims to explore the perceptions and repair. The quality of the weld is heavily
of Grade 12 students enrolled in Shielded influenced by the type of electrode used.
Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) programs Over the years, advanced SMAW electrodes
regarding the use of advanced SMAW have been developed to improve the overall
electrodes. As welding technology continues welding process, offering better performance
to advance, the introduction of new in terms of strength, durability, and ease of
electrode types plays a crucial role in use. However, students' perceptions and
improving welding efficiency, quality, and experiences with these new electrodes are
safety. Understanding student perceptions on not well-documented, especially at the high
this matter is essential for educators and school level, where future welders are first
industry professionals to tailor educational introduced to this technology.
practices and prepare future welders for the The purpose of this study is to explore the
demands of modern welding techniques. The attitudes and perceptions of Grade 12
research focuses on a group of Grade 12 SMAW students regarding the use of
SMAW students, analyzing their opinions, advanced electrodes in their welding
challenges, and preferences concerning training. By investigating their thoughts,
advanced SMAW electrodes. challenges, and preferences, the research
aims to provide insights into how these
perceptions can influence the adoption of
Keywords: Perceptions, Grade 12 students ,
new welding technologies in vocational
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
education.
ensures a comprehensive understanding of
student perceptions and the effectiveness of
Methodology
advanced electrodes in minimizing welding
This study employs a descriptive research defects.
design to analyze the perceptions of Grade
12 SMAW students regarding the use of Graph 1. Grade 12 SMAW students
regarding advanced SMAW electrodes, with
advanced SMAW electrodes to reduce different factors being analyzed.
welding defects. The research population
consists of 41 students, with a sample size of (%)
40
20
36 students from Iligan City National School 0
of Fisheries, selected through random
sampling. A questionnaire serves as the
primary research instrument to gather data
from the students, ensuring validity and
reliability through face validity and test- The most significant issue reported by
retest reliability. The data collection students is lack of fusion, as it has the
procedure is divided into three phases: highest percentage, indicating that many
before, during, and after. In the initial phase, students struggle to achieve proper fusion
existing research on SMAW welding when using advanced SMAW electrodes.
techniques, common welding defects, and This suggests that while these electrodes
the use of advanced SMAW electrodes is offer potential benefits, they also present
reviewed and analyzed to understand student challenges in terms of technique and
perceptions of welding challenges. During application. Additionally, steeper learning
the data collection phase, surveys, curve and reduction in welding defects show
interviews, and experiments are conducted, similar, lower percentages, meaning that
followed by data cleaning and analysis. In although some students initially find the
the final phase, students receive training on electrodes difficult to use, they gradually
the use of advanced SMAW electrodes and recognize their potential to minimize defects
are guided in the practical application of the and improve overall weld quality. This
new techniques. This structured approach
highlights the need for additional training tasks at a faster rate while maintaining
and practice to help acceptable weld quality. This suggests that
despite the initial challenges, advanced
students adapt to the advanced electrodes
SMAW electrodes can ultimately contribute
more effectively. Another important factor is
to better efficiency and improved welding
increased productivity, as some students
performance once students gain sufficient
believe that these electrodes help them work
experience and confidence in using them.
more efficiently, allowing them to complete
Literature Review optimizing the welding parameters by
adjusting the welding parameters based on
According to Zhang et al (2020).
such real-time sensing and feedback control.
Welding is a major manufacturing process
The paper analyzes how these three steps
that joins two or more pieces of materials
depend on process properties/capabilities,
together through heating/mixing them
process innovations, predictive models,
followed by cooling/solidification. The goal
numerical models for fluid dynamics,
of welding manufacturing is to join
numerical models for structures, real-time
materials together to meet service
sensing, and dynamic control
requirements at lowest costs. Advanced
welding manufacturing is to use scientific According to Verma,J.,&Taiwade,R.
methods to realize this goal. This paper V. (2024) Welding is a core of modern
views advanced welding manufacturing as a technology, and it has gone through a
three step approach: (1) pre-design that complete evolution today. There is rapid
selects process and joint design based on development in conventional and advanced
available processes (properties, capabilities, welding techniques. Today’s new welding
and costs); (2) design that uses models to technology increases manufacturing
predict the result from a given set of welding productivity. Welding is a highly precise,
parameters and minimizes a cost function reliable, high tech, and cost-effective
for optimizing the welding parameters; and method for joining materials in the various
(3) real-time sensing and control that manufacturing industries. It is also a critical
overcome the deviations of welding enabling manufacturing technology for
conditions from their nominal ones used in dissimilar joining of various steels and low
density as well as shaping memory alloys. In manufacturers to make their products
fact, no other technique is so broadly used to worthy.
join metals and alloys more efficiently by
Conclusion addressing these challenges through
education and practice, students can develop
the skills necessary to maximize the benefits
The perceptions of Grade 12 SMAW
of advanced SMAW electrodes, ultimately
students regarding the use of advanced
preparing them for the demands of modern
SMAW electrodes reveal a mix of
welding industries.
challenges and benefits. A significant
number of students acknowledge that these
electrodes contribute to improved weld
quality and increased productivity, making Recommendations
them a valuable tool in professional welding.
However, many also report difficulties, Based on the findings regarding the
particularly in achieving proper fusion, perceptions of Grade 12 SMAW students on
which appears to be the most common issue. the use of advanced SMAW electrodes, the
Additionally, the learning curve associated following recommendations are suggested:
with these advanced electrodes presents an
initial challenge, as some students find them 1. Enhanced Training and Hands-On
difficult to handle and require time to adjust
to their characteristics. Practice
Since many students struggle with
Despite these challenges, students recognize
the advantages of advanced SMAW proper fusion and the learning curve,
electrodes, especially in reducing welding schools should implement more
defects and enhancing overall efficiency.
The willingness of most students to use hands-on training sessions focusing
these electrodes in their future careers on the correct techniques for using
suggests that they understand their potential
to improve welding outcomes. However, the advanced SMAW electrodes.
study highlights the importance of proper Additional workshops and skill-
training, hands-on experience, and guidance
from instructors to ensure that students can building exercises will help students
effectively use these electrodes and adapt more effectively.
overcome technical difficulties. By
2. Instructor Support and 5. Continuous Research and Industry
Mentorship Collaboration
Welding instructors should provide Schools should collaborate with
more in-depth guidance, welding industries and professionals
demonstrations, and troubleshooting to stay updated on the latest
techniques to help students overcome advancements in SMAW technology.
challenges related to electrode Inviting guest speakers, organizing
handling and fusion. One-on-one industry visits, or conducting
mentoring sessions can also be research studies on new welding
beneficial in addressing individual methods can help bridge the gap
learning difficulties. between education and industry
3. Integration of Advanced SMAW requirements.
Electrodes in the Curriculum 6. Cost-Effectiveness Consideration
Schools should incorporate the use of Since some students express
advanced SMAW electrodes into concerns about the cost of advanced
their regular welding curriculum, SMAW electrodes, schools and
ensuring that students have training centers should explore
consistent exposure to modern partnerships with manufacturers to
welding technologies. This will provide affordable or subsidized
better prepare them for industry access to these materials. This will
demands and professional settings. encourage more students to practice
4. Use of Simulated Learning Tools with advanced electrodes without
Implementing virtual welding financial constraints.
simulators or augmented reality 7. Regular Assessment and Feedback
training tools can help students Conducting periodic evaluations and
familiarize themselves with gathering student feedback on their
advanced electrode techniques in a experiences with advanced SMAW
risk-free environment before electrodes can help instructors and
applying them in actual welding administrators refine their teaching
tasks. methods and improve training
programs based on actual student needs
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Thompson, A. A. (2024). Evaluating the
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