Hanna Bechtel, metal worker in training from Sälzer GmbH in Marburg, Germany, works on substructures and steel frames for doors, windows and facades. Hanna predicts that TIG welding will be the most common technique, but others will continue to be used as well. However, robotization might change the content of the work and replace the human touch in many situations.

“Every technique has its own range of applications and advantages, so I wouldn’t say any of them will be completely abandoned. But I think that in the future, there will be tools for which you only have to set the material and thickness and the machine makes all further adjustments on its own. I would not like to see robots replacing welders – a passionate like me would rather do the job herself than let a machine do it for me,” Hanna says.

Welder Juho Nissinen, from Leppävirta, Finland, believes that the work content of the welders of the future may include programming of machines and call for development of IT skills. However, the young professional, who will represent Finland in the WorldSkills competition in Abu Dhabi in October 2017, thinks that welding by hand will not be fully replaced.

“Stick welding may be less popular in the future, but it will not be given up entirely. There will continue to be situations in which manual welding is the only way of getting the job done."

Mechanized welding improves speed and quality

Juho sees mechanized welding as the biggest trend of the future, and expects to see strong development in the area.

"Mechanized welding increases speed and creates more even quality. It is already possible to record and duplicate the welding parameters and manipulate the arc – welding machines are not that far from computers even now,” Juho says. “I think we will see new techniques that produce spatter-free welds, allowing for faster finishing.”

Hanna agrees that digitalization and mechanized welding make sense when absolutely clean welds are needed for products that are under extreme pressure, such as gas tanks. She foresees future needs for welding in the construction of pipelines, containers, bridges and offshore oil platforms in particular – all applications requiring uncompromising quality.

Safety first, now and tomorrow

The safety of welders is naturally a key factor in the day-to-day work. New safety innovations are developed alongside the welding equipment to ensure that welders can work in as hazard-free conditions as possible. Hanna expects to see further improvements to safety gear in the future.

“Concerning safety, techniques should be developed so that e.g. in MAG welding no beads or sparks can develop. Work wear could be more comfortable and lighter. By these measures, accidents at work can be reduced and some even avoided.”