Improving Global Quality of Life

9 Needs and challenges of major industry sectors for future applications
9.2.4 Production using joining technology and research
The visions mentioned are resulting in the need for research. As in other fields, research and development in
joining technology can often no longer be financed solely by one company or by companies in one country;
internationally coordinated research and development, e.g. in astronautics, is often the solution. For this
purpose, promotional programmes are being offered by international and regional establishments, e.g. by
the World Bank or the European Union. With its 16 Commissions and other Working Units, IIW could be a
platform for the harmonisation of projects promoted in such a way.
There are promotional programmes particularly in the fields of sustainability (conservation of the
environment and resources), nanotechnologies as well as safety at work and health protection. Converted
to subjects relating to joining technology, these could be projects such as are specified in Chapters 9.1.1 to
9.1.9 above. From the viewpoint of fabrication, general interest across different sectors centres on subjects
relating to saving energy, to raising productivity as a result of further mechanisation or automation and to
improving safety at work and health protection.
9.2.5 Hot topics
In future, joining technology in the fabrication field will still have particular requirements on
quality assurance because of the high safety relevance of the joints and their restricted testability
on the end products.
The mechanisation and automation of joining processes will still have a high development potential
and still be required in order to maintain production in high-wage countries too.
With the increasing demand for sustainability and for the conservation of energy and resources,
joining technology will become ever more significant as a manufacturing process.
Particular significance will continue to be attached to the qualification of the required personnel
and to the international standardisation in all the fields of joining and welding technology.
Joining technology must be directly geared to product development, utilisation and exploitation
and must therefore be developed and applied in an optimised way for materials, structures and
processes. In this respect, robust joining technology processes must be made available and usable
all over the world. In order to attain these objectives, research, technology and education in joining
technology must be interlinked consistently on the national and international levels.
9.3 Oil and gas sector
Welded structures operating in onshore and offshore regions must have high reliability because of the
high risk to life and environment associated with structural failure in harsh operating conditions. In North
America and Europe, there is legislation that dictates the need for some welding or welding related activities
in an organisation to be staffed by suitably trained and qualified personnel; e.g. API, ASNT, CSWIP, CWB, IIW,
etc. whilst in the East, the practices are varied and dependent on the historical trade influences, it could be
the European, British or American Standards or other national standards that are being followed.
The better organised refining and petrochemical companies may have periodic assessment performed to
determine gaps in their functional competencies to adequately address weaknesses in managing equipment
integrity and process safety of their operations. Notwithstanding the above, it is generally true that training
of such personnel to be suitably competent is left to external organisations. Also, as welding and welding
related technology are not core operations of the refining and petrochemicals organisation, personnel
entrusted to perform such related tasks are generally left to their own devices to determine the most
appropriate training required for developing adequate competencies. Also the training content is general in
Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies
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