Services
Welding Inspection
Lion NDT provides Certified Welding Inspection (CWI), welder qualification testing, and WPS/PQR review for aircraft, industrial, and other welded structures — to AWS D1.1 (structural steel), AWS D17.1 (aerospace fusion welding), and other codes your contract specifies.
Our CWI services cover defect detection, compliance verification, pre- and post-weld evaluation, thorough documentation, and corrective recommendations — helping you catch weld discrepancies before they become costly rework or field failures.
We work on-site at your facility or job site — in Miami, across South Florida, and anywhere else by request — with fabricators, manufacturers, and FAA repair stations, for a single project or ongoing contract support.
What's Included
- Visual weld inspection before, during, and after welding
- Code compliance checks to AWS D1.1, D17.1, and other applicable codes
- Welder qualification testing: witnessed test welds, visual examination, and WPQR documentation
- WPS and PQR review against the applicable code
- Defect detection and corrective action recommendations
- Detailed inspection reports for your QA records
Who It's For
Fabricators, manufacturers, contractors, and FAA repair stations that need independent, code-based weld inspection, qualified welders, and welding procedures that hold up in an audit.
Welder Qualification Testing
Welder qualification testing proves that a welder can make sound welds with a specific process, position, and material range under the governing code. The results are recorded on a Welder Performance Qualification Record (WPQR).
We witness the test weld at your shop, perform the visual examination of the test coupon, and document the results on the WPQR. Where the code calls for bend tests, the coupons go to a qualified testing lab and the results are added to the record.
Use it to qualify new hires, add processes or positions for current welders, or get qualification records in order before an audit or a new contract.
WPS and PQR Review
A Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) is the written instruction welders follow for a specific joint. A Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) is the test record proving that the procedure produces sound welds.
We check that each WPS stays within its code limits and, where a PQR is required, that the PQR supports every essential variable and qualified range. Under AWS D1.1, some procedures are prequalified and need no PQR — we confirm which of yours are, and flag any that step outside those limits.
You get a clear list of what complies, what needs revising, and what needs qualification testing — before an auditor or customer finds it.
Codes We Work To
Every engagement starts from the code or specification that governs your work:
- AWS D1.1 — Structural Welding Code, Steel
- AWS D17.1 — Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications
- Other codes and customer specifications your contract calls for — tell us which one applies and we'll confirm scope before work starts
How an Engagement Works
- Tell us the governing code, the scope, and your schedule. Drawings, WPSs, or the contract specification help.
- We confirm the acceptance criteria and exactly what will be inspected, tested, or reviewed.
- We work on-site at your facility or job site.
- You receive a written report of results against the code's acceptance criteria, with recommendations for anything that doesn't meet them.
Related Reading
- AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification: How the Test Works and What Records You Need
- AWS D1.1 vs. D17.1: Which Welding Code Applies to Your Project?
Welding Inspection FAQ
What does a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) do?
An AWS Certified Welding Inspector checks that welding meets the governing code: reviewing procedures and welder qualifications, inspecting welds before, during, and after welding, and documenting whether they meet the code's acceptance criteria.
What is the difference between a WPS and a PQR?
A WPS is the instruction welders follow; a PQR is the test record showing that the procedure produces sound welds. Under AWS D1.1, a prequalified WPS needs no PQR, as long as every variable stays within the code's prequalified limits.
Can you run welder qualification tests at our facility?
Yes. We witness the test weld at your shop, examine the coupon, and document the results on a Welder Performance Qualification Record (WPQR). We don't operate a test shop of our own, so qualification takes place at your facility.
Which welding codes do you work to?
AWS D1.1 for structural steel and AWS D17.1 for aerospace fusion welding, plus other codes or customer specifications your contract requires. Tell us the governing code and we'll confirm scope before work starts.
Do you provide welding inspection outside South Florida?
Yes. Lion NDT is based in Miami and serves South Florida directly, and we travel anywhere our services are requested.
Ready to talk about your project?
Call (657) 430-4666, email info@lionndt.com, or send a message and we'll follow up promptly.
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