Frequently asked questions about welding management software.

Weld mapping is the process of identifying each weld on a fabrication drawing and linking it to its design (WPS), production (welders, their qualifications and the date welded), quality (visual inspection and NDT) and traceability (material heat numbers and welding consumables) records. It is closely related to weld tracking and welding traceability, with the added step of marking the weld’s location on the drawing. WeldTrace includes an annotation tool for creating pictorial weld maps and creates the weld records from the map.

Codes such as ASME IX and AWS D1.1 require a welder to use a process within a set period—typically six months—to keep the qualification for that process current. This is known as welder continuity. Demonstrating it usually means keeping a welder’s log, which is time-consuming with many welders and hard to prove for past welds during an audit. WeldTrace can update continuity from project weld records automatically on Projects plans, while DOX supports manual updates and expiry visibility.

A welder’s log lists the welds performed by a welder with the process, WPS, job or weld identification and related visual inspection and NDE results. It is not usually a code requirement, but client specifications and certification audits, such as ASME or ISO 3834, often ask for one. WeldTrace generates the log from project activity instead of requiring a separate manual register.

Yes. Project users can select welds and test methods, create controlled NDE test requests for the testing agency, record returned results and monitor completion. Randomised selection can also support percentage-based test requirements.

Welding quality assurance starts with controlling the documents used on every job—WPSs, PQRs, welder qualifications, continuity and calibration records—so only current, approved versions are in use and qualifications are flagged before they lapse. It also covers customer drawings, material test certificates, filler-metal certificates and the inspection, NDE, repair and PWHT records created during the job, all of which need to be easy to find. Welding quality control adds identifying and mapping each weld, allocating a qualified WPS and qualified welders in continuity, recording stage-wise visual inspection, completing NDE to the specified scope and tracking repairs and retests. WeldTrace manages each of these steps in one connected system.

Welding is a special process that needs continuous control, and quality systems such as ISO 3834, ASME certification and AISC certification expect fabricators to demonstrate it. Owners of critical infrastructure also expect contractors to show complete traceability and submit records that stand up to audit. Welding management software replaces spreadsheets and paper registers with one system for WPS and PQR records, welder qualifications and continuity, weld mapping, inspection, NDE and data books, so records are created as the work happens and can be produced on demand.

Yes. Every plan can manage existing WPSs, PQRs, WPQs and WQTRs created outside WeldTrace, including documents to standards not covered by the guided creation workflows.

The current guided workflow coverage includes ASME IX, AWS D1.1, D1.2, D1.5 and D1.6, ISO 15614-1, ISO 9606-1, ISO 9606-4 and API 1104. See the standards page for the document types covered.

No. Projects, Projects+, Projects++ and Enterprise list no project or weld-count limit. Their included storage and user allowances differ, and additional capacity can be added where applicable.

WeldTrace is a cloud software service accessed through a supported web browser. Deployment, security and integration requirements can be reviewed with the WeldTrace team before rollout.