WELCOME INSIDE NEWS


4 HS2 welcomes new welding apprentices


5 Open World 2026: CONTACT shows the way to Industrial


6 MTA Announces Winners of the TDI Challenge 2026


7 Important survey deadline approaching


8 ADS Laser Cutting strengthens leadership team as sales and profitability rise


10 Taking the heat out of industry??


11 Road to USE 2027: Official WeldArt World Championship associated with IIW introduces its first international ambassadors


12 Beating the ‘buckle’ 13 Filters don’t last forever


14 Board news 15 JCB takes it to the MAX


AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS 16 A legacy of innovation


CONSUMABLES


18 Work smarter, weld smarter: why it pays to be smarter when choosing your welding gas.


SUPPLIER FOCUS


20 The Evolution of Modern Metal Cutting


HEAVY-DUTY


22 Heavy-duty plasma cutting


24 Heavy-Duty Weld Preparation: Building Quality Before the Arc Is Struck


25 Heavy Industrial Welding 26 Transforming next- generation heavy-duty steel applications


28 Five trends shaping welding automation in 2026


BUSINESS MATTERS


30 The digital torch: revolutionising training & professional development in welding


32 AI and automation: Debunking the 5 most


common myths


34 Has AI killed the approved supplier list?


SOFTWARE 36 Transforming Operations With Vigour


FASTENINGS


38 Improved assembly for pop-tops


Gavin Pearson, 5 Parsons Street, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1JJ. + 44 (0)1952 290 036 + 44 (0)1952 290 037 secretariat@awd.org.uk www.awd.org.uk


Editor: Simon Simmons editor@welding-world.com Design: www.mivvy.co.uk


Published on behalf of Welding World by:


Biggar Media While every effort is made to ensure


the accuracy of this publication, the WWA, the editor and the publisher, Biggar Media, cannot accept liability for any statement or error, or for any claims made by the advertisers, contained herein ©Welding World 2026. They cannot be held responsible for the failure to use, or for the poor depiction of use of environmental, personal or other equipment, such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) equipment in photographs received from editorial contributors or advertisers. Best practice in the use of the correct and appropriate equipment is advocated and strongly recommended by the WWA.


Dave P. Ellwood Board Director & Company Secretary Telephone: 07860 258309 E-mail: dave@welding-world.com


Lee Darton Board & Finance Director Telephone: 07734 857044 E-mail: lee@welding-world.com


Brought to you by the team at


Welding World Ltd on behalf of the Welding World Association


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ISSN 2634-9582


ISSUE 04 August 2026


IN FOCUS:


JCB takes it to the MAX PAGE 15


HEAVY-DUTY WELD PREPARATION PAGE 24


BECOME A WELDING WORLD ASSOCIATION MEMBER


SCAN HERE TO JOIN TODAY!


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