Learn to Make Proper
and Long-Lasting Impressions
Each Fall, AWS and RWMA team up to offer a 2-day school, taught by resistance welding industry heavyweights, that explores concepts and materials outside the scope of the CRWT exam.
This intensive overview of resistance welding includes presentations, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and live demonstrations on fully functioning equipment, and is designed for beginner-to-experienced technicians, supervisors, production managers, operators, trainers and educators.
Registration is limited to 40 students.
FALL
October 13-14
Cleveland, OH
AWS Contact
Sarai Claveria
305 443.9353 x227 | sclaveria@aws.org
Organizers
Kendall Ymker
RoMan Manufacturing, Inc.
Read Bio
Kendall Ymker graduated from Michigan Technological University in May 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He has been a member of AWS for 32 years. Kendall has spent his career in the design of water-cooled transformers for use in resistance welding and resistance heating applications. He has worked at RoMan Manufacturing, Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan for 25 years. During that time, he has held various positions including Electrical Engineer and Quality System Management Representative. He has been the Engineering Manager at RoMan since May 2010.
Kendall has been involved with AWS technical committees for over twenty years where he has held the offices of Chair of A10, Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair of J1. He has also been an At-Large member of the Technical Activities Committee (TAC), He currently serves as the Chair of J1 Technical Committee, Chair of the International Standards Activities Committee (ISAC) and Chair of the RWMA Welding School Subcommittee. Kendall has been involved with the development of International Standards for twenty years and recently completed seven years as the Chair of ISO TC44/SC6/WG2, the working group for Resistance Welding Equipment standards.
Mike Prokop
RoMan Manufacturing, Inc.
Read Bio
RoMan Manufacturing Inc. is pleased to announce that Mike Prokop has joined its Sales and Engineering teams as a Sales Applications Engineer. Mike is an American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Resistance Welding Technician (CRWT) and Certified Machinery Safety Expert (SMSE®) through TUV-NORD. Mike holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (BEEE) from Youngstown State University and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Mike has spent over 30 years in manufacturing environments with a focus on automation in technical applications. Mike’s previous roles include Vice President of Global Engineering with Entron Controls, LLC and Chief Electrical Engineer / Innovation Leader with Taylor-Winfield Technologies. Mike will continue in his role as Vice-Chair of the AWS J1 and J1M Committees, Chair of the Education Subcommittee of the Resistance Welding Manufacturer Alliance (RWMA), as well as Instructor with the Emmett A. Craig RWMA Resistance Welding School.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
DAY 1
View Wednesday’s Sessions
8:00am – 8:15am
Welcome & Introduction to Resistance Welding
Mike Prokop – RoMan Manufacturing
8:15am – 10:00am
Welding Process and Machines
This session will reinforce the basics of resistance welding and how it relates to each of the four resistance welding processes. This session will be full of application examples from each process and will show how machinery utilizes the individual components and elements illustrated in the other sessions.
Don DeCorte – RoMan Manufacturing
10:30am – 12:00pm
Electrical Power System
This session reviews the descriptions and maintenance of electrical power components and conductors from the weld control to the electrode. This lively presentation has something for everybody. Utilizing several small demonstrations, Kendall Ymker will keep attendees on the edge of their seats as he highlights the important part of the resistance welding process.
Don DeCorte – RoMan Manufacturing
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Welding Controls
This discussion focuses on the selection, descriptions, and applications of welding timers, contractors, and accessories. Packed with a punch, Don Sorenson drives home understanding energy that creates a weld, H=I2Rt, that is unforgettable. Learn how this invaluable formula is used in every resistance welding applications–every day–every cycle–all the time!
Mike Prokop – RoMan Manufacturing
2:45pm – 3:45pm
Electrodes and Tooling
This session will focus on the classification, selection and maintenance of electrodes and fixtures as they pertain to numerous applications. Discover powerful problem/evaluation/solution techniques that will keep a production process running longer–and operation more efficient.
Bill Brafford – Tuffaloy Products
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Fixtures
Bill Brafford – Tuffaloy Products
5:00pm
Q & A
DAY 2
View Thursday’s Sessions
8:00am – 10:00am
Machine Set-up, Troubleshooting, and Maintenance
Mike takes the mystery out of setup by guiding you through the steps to develop the proper weld schedule. He will also introduce Troubleshooting, Preventative Maintenance and Safety concepts that provide profitable resistance welding operations.
Mike Prokop – RoMan Manufacturing
10:15am – 11:30am
Resistance Spot and Projection Weld Standards and Quality
A unique session designed to make you think about the quality standards associated with two common forms of resistance welding, spot and projection. After hearing Don’s presentation, it is very possible that you will never look or think about a weld the same way again.
Donald Maatz – R&E Engineering Services
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Materials
Not all materials are created equal, especially from the perspective of resistance welding. This session will present a brief overview of the most common materials joined by the resistive processes. Don will also highlight specific methodologies for joining them that have proven successful over his 20 years in the resistance welding industry.
Donald Maatz – R&E Engineering Services
2:45pm – 5:00pm
Panel Discussion and Welder Demonstration
This session combines all instructors in a panel format answering any question you may have. This is also a great opportunity to discuss your specific application.
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE PRICING
|
Member
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Non Member
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Regular |
$ – |
$ – |
All cancellations MUST BE IN WRITING. If you cancel 35 DAYS PRIOR to the conference you will receive a refund of 50%. If you cancel from 34 DAYS to 3 DAYS PRIOR to the conference you will receive a refund of 10%. NO REFUNDS will be given 3 DAYS or less prior to the conference.
Registration Includes
• Morning & Afternoon Refreshment Breaks
• 2 Lunches
• Breakfast is included with the Group Rate
Technical Program Highlights
• Up to 16 PDH Hours Earned
HOTEL / VENUE
VENUE

Lincoln Electric Company
22800 Saint Clair Avenue
Euclid, OH 44117
Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Cleveland Downtown – Lakeside
1 (216) 241-5100
1111 Lakeside Avenue E
Cleveland, Ohio
44114-1130
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cleveland Downtown – Lakeside is conveniently located just off I-90, near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Lakefront Airport (BKL), our warm and welcoming Cleveland hotel overlooks the shores of Lake Erie and is close to popular Cleveland attractions. Enjoy our complimentary shuttle service (based on availability) and discover downtown Cleveland with ease.
Grab a quick snack or coffee at The Wired Bean, or enjoy casual dining at our American-style restaurant, Stadium 3 Bar & Grille. After a full day, refresh in our heated indoor pool and whirlpool, rejuvenate in our well-equipped fitness center, or retire to an inviting guest room with room service.
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