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[Road of SKYSQUARE-044-] Towards in-house metal processing! Strengthening construction capabilities through special arc welding training ~Exemption~

  • 7 hours ago
  • 7 min read
[SKYSQUARE's Path -043-] Conquering the arch-enemy "sudden rain"! Installing a small warehouse dedicated to the recorder! ~More~

Hello

This is Nakajima from AZSTOKE Co., Ltd.


It is the purpose of this project.

Welding is essential for the next stage of development.

To further enhance the development environment at our field studio "SKYSQUARE" in Yamanashi, I have completed "Special Training in Arc Welding," which is my 14th certification.

Up until now, we have been developing the infrastructure through electrical work and heavy machinery operations, but by acquiring on-site metal component joining and processing techniques, the degree of freedom in studio construction will increase dramatically.


□Current qualifications

  1. Large Vehicle Class 1 Driver's License

  2. Large Special Vehicle License

  3. Towing license

  4. Construction machinery (earthmoving, etc.)

  5. Construction machinery (new demolition)

  6. Small mobile crane

  7. Chainsaw (for felling trees, etc.)

  8. Slinging

  9. Rough terrain transport vehicle

  10. Forestry machinery (for felling, etc.)

  11. Class 2 Electrician

  12. Low-voltage electricity (14H)

  13. Aerial work platform

  14. Arc welding　←This time it's this one


Click here for a list of all previous articles on the SKYSQUARE journey.


SKYSQUARE

■ Table of Contents



1. Go to the usual Kobelco Ichikawa Center.


The training will be held at the Kobelco Training Center Ichikawa, which has also been used for obtaining previous qualifications.

This time, the class was held in classroom 6.



Based on the provided text, we will learn about the principles, electrical characteristics, and safety considerations of arc welding.



Arc welding involves handling high-temperature heat sources, requiring thorough safety management, including measures to prevent electric shock, provide light shielding, and implement fire safety measures. A precise understanding of the theory behind it enables the application of this metal joining technique while eliminating on-site risks.

By mastering this technology, we can create metalwork optimized for the SKYSQUARE environment, such as manufacturing field recording mounts that cannot be handled by off-the-shelf products, and customizing equipment. We have begun concrete implementation to complete the infrastructure for capturing sound in-house.


2. Schedule of the 3-day training course


This training course will take place over three days.

The curriculum consists of 21 hours in total, with 7 hours per day, broken down into 11 hours of theory and 10 hours of practical training.



This will be a long training course, but we will build up the necessary knowledge and skills for working with metal from the basics.

Since we're traveling from early in the morning, even just three days of it takes a lot of energy.


3. Implementation of classroom lectures and confirmation of safety measures.


The classroom lectures cover the fundamental theory of arc welding over 11 hours.

A wide range of knowledge is required, from physical aspects such as the principles of welding and the properties of electricity, to legal regulations to ensure worker safety, and points to note during actual construction.

We placed particular emphasis on ensuring correct knowledge of the tools and protective equipment to be used.



The photo shows the complete set of tools used in the training course. We reviewed the function of each tool, including the holder for holding the welding rod, the clamp for securing the base material, and the chipping hammer for removing slag.

In arc welding, the selection and maintenance of the right tools are crucial not only for the quality of the work but also as a fundamental prerequisite for preventing serious accidents. We thoroughly learned the standards that must be met before starting practical training, such as checking the insulation condition of each tool and wearing appropriate protective equipment.


4. Lunch break and support environment for the training


During long training sessions, lunch breaks are an important time for refreshing oneself. At the Kobelco Training Center Ichikawa, it is possible to order lunch boxes for students.



The bento box I ordered this time was very reasonably priced at 400 yen, yet it was substantial and tasted very satisfying. Having such a great support system allows me to maintain my concentration for the afternoon's lectures and practical sessions.

We will replenish our energy with a cost-effective meal and continue with the afternoon curriculum.


5. Implementation of metal joining through practical training.


Based on the theories learned in the classroom, we will now move on to a 10-hour practical training session.

This process involves physically learning the techniques of generating an arc and melting and joining metals.



At the practical training venue, individual welding booths are set up, and work is performed in a safe environment.

Because it generates intense light rays and sparks, we make sure to be perfectly equipped with protective gear such as a light-blocking mask, protective clothing, and leather gloves, and then we dedicate ourselves to mastering the operation of the holder.



The welding machine used is an industrial model that allows for fine adjustment of the output current.

The correlation between the distance between the welding rod and the base metal, the speed of movement, and the current value must be determined from the actual sparks flying and the condition of the weld bead (weld mark).


6. Improving welding bead formation and accuracy through practical exercises.


The core of the practical training is the exercise of actually joining metal plates together.

This time, I tried a "T-joint (fillet welding)" technique, which involves joining two metal plates vertically.

The technique requires the ability to maintain a constant arc length while delivering the welding rod at the appropriate speed.



In the early stages of the exercise, it was difficult to stabilize the arc, and there were times when we struggled, such as the metal not melting properly or the weld bead (weld joint) being interrupted midway.

If the synchronization between the current value and hand movements is disrupted, it will immediately affect the final result.



However, in the later trials, after repeated practice and getting the hang of it, I was able to form beads of uniform width and achieve stable joints. By learning the feeling of how the metals fuse together, the reliability of the joint strength also increases.

Having gained a solid understanding of "melting and joining iron," the construction of a robust foundation for the sound equipment at SKYSQUARE and the possibility of on-site customization have become a realistic possibility.


7. Issuance of completion certificate and future developments


After completing all 21 hours of training over three days, I successfully received my certificate of completion for the special training in arc welding .



This brings my total number of SKYSQUARE-related certifications to 14.

In addition to my electrician's license, I have now acquired welding skills, which means I can now handle almost all aspects of studio infrastructure development in-house, from electrical system construction to metal structure fabrication.

In the unique environment of our field studio in Yamanashi, commercially available stands and racks are often insufficient, and we frequently need special installation methods tailored to the terrain and trees.

Leveraging the technology we've acquired, we will further accelerate the creation of the "ultimate field" for capturing sound, including the development of specialized jigs to secure heavy equipment with millimeter precision, and the construction of robust shelters to protect precision equipment from harsh weather conditions.


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