3 Just about every manufactured product uses welding, either directly or indirectly. Over the years, a system of symbols and notations has been devel- oped to convey exact weld specifications. Welding symbols and notations allow a large amount of data about a weld to be condensed into a small amount of space on a print. They simplify communications between the designer/engineer and the welder and also between other workers associated with the production of a weldment. Symbols and notations help assure that welds meet design requirements. A welder, or anyone else (technician, engineer, drafter, etc.) working with welding prints, must know how to use the welding symbols and notations. This text is designed to help you grasp this information as quickly and easily as possible. Text Design Welding Print Reading provides instruction on interpreting and using the type of engineering drawings and prints found in the welding trade. It is a write-in text, or text-workbook, that starts out with the basics and progresses to more spe- cialized coverage of specific welding symbols and notations. The information in this text follows to the most recent standards set up by the American Welding Society (AWS) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). However, this text is based on actual prints that are used in industry. While most industry practices conform to the national standards, any variation in a particular print has been retained for realistic experience. This will prepare you to work with prints being used in industry today. This text is intended for students in high schools, vocational/technical schools, community colleges, for apprentices, and for workers on the job. It may also be used as a self-study course for those unable to attend print reading classes. Unit Format Each unit is designed to deliver complete coverage of specific welding print reading topics. Example prints, illustrations, symbols, and notations are used throughout each unit to reinforce these topics. At the end of each unit, there are problems that deal with the topics just covered in the unit. These problems are used to review the key concepts learned in the unit. Introduction