2014 Notch Pipe Welding Bend Off Competition

Just around the bend is this year’s annual Vocational High School welding program competition! Students have been honing their skills, shop teachers encouraging and the experienced welders from Notch Mechanical Contractors have visited each school to support the contestants. Close to 100 students have submitted their best work to the judges, vying for a spot as a semi-finalist. When the visual inspections (by ASME Section IX qualifications) have been done on the weld “coupon” samples, the semi-finalists will be notified. The final competition is called “the Bend-Off” and is held on site at Notch’s headquarters in Chicopee, MA. It is an exciting event. The gifts to the top student welders are piled high; we have very generous sponsors!! Tensions are also high as students and their teachers watch their weld samples put through the ultimate test for strength. The hydraulic coupon Bend Tester machine shows no mercy- either your weld is right and strong, or…. Well, back to shop class.

Pipe welding is more challenging than flat welds, and the competition is intense. These students have already shown their metal by making it to the semi finals; typically less than 25% of the weld coupons will pass the visual test. Notch and its many sponsors are proud of all of the contenders, they are the backbone of tomorrow’s industry! Are you ready for the competition?

Wednesday May 14, 2014 beginning at 10am.

Our Generous Sponsors:

Collins Pipe & Supply

City Machine Corporation

Maine Oxy

T.P. Daley Insurance

NES Rentals