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AI analysis · Preview

Weld analysis — Jun 8, 2026

Educational visual feedback on a sample practice weld.

CompletedSample dataHigh confidenceSubmitted Jun 8, 2026, 4:50 PM

Overall practice band

ProficientLevel 4 of 5

AI summary

This SMAW practice weld appears to show one main area worth attention, alongside real strengths. Marks adjacent to the bead may indicate arc strikes outside the joint. Overall consistency looks reasonably steady. Focus on the priority improvement below, run the suggested drill, and submit a comparable weld to measure the change. Remember: surface appearance cannot confirm what is happening inside the joint.

You provided

Submission details

Process
SMAW (Stick)
Material
Carbon steel
Thickness
1/4 in
Joint type
Butt joint
Position
3G — Vertical groove
Electrode
E7018
Electrode diameter
3/32 in
Amperage
95 A
Travel speed
3 in/min
Polarity
DCEP (reverse)
Passes
3
Preheat
None
Practice objective
Vertical-up cap pass without undercut.
Notes
Root, fill, cap. The cap shows some undercut on the left toe.

Logged settings

3G plate — root, fill, cap

Logged Jun 8, 2026
SMAW (Stick)Butt joint3G
Machine settings
95 A · DCEP
Preheat
None
Interpass temp
Kept under 300 °F between passes
How it went
Cap still picked up undercut on the left toe. Next session: drop to 90 A for the cap and pause longer on the toes during the weave.
Open the weld log

AI observations

Educational guidance only

AI-assisted visual feedback is educational guidance only and is not always accurate. A photograph cannot confirm code compliance, structural integrity, internal fusion, penetration, or test results, and it is no substitute for hands-on inspection. Have a qualified instructor or inspector evaluate any weld that matters.

Practice Score

ArcForge educational metrics — not inspection scores. Changes are measured against your previous comparable weld from May 22, 2026.

  • Bead consistency

    Steady
    ConsistentLevel 3 of 5
  • Profile control

    Up 2 bands
    RefinedLevel 5 of 5
  • Toe transition

    Up 2 bands
    RefinedLevel 5 of 5
  • Start & stop control

    Steady
    ConsistentLevel 3 of 5
  • Surface cleanliness

    Up 1 band
    ConsistentLevel 3 of 5
  • Visual uniformity

    Up 1 band
    ProficientLevel 4 of 5
  • Practice-objective alignment

    Up 1 band
    ProficientLevel 4 of 5

    Based on how the visible result relates to your stated objective.

Photo quality & limits

Feedback quality depends on what the camera captured. Anything below the surface is outside what a photo can show.

Image rating:Good

What shaped the confidence level

  • Welding details were provided, which sharpens interpretation.
  • Image quality is adequate but not ideal.

What this review cannot tell you

  • Internal soundness, fusion, and penetration can never be judged from a photograph.
  • Lighting and angle can hide or exaggerate surface conditions.
  • This educational feedback is not an inspection and does not assess code acceptance.

What looks good

Strengths visible in this photo — keep building on them.

  • Width control improves visibly over the length of the bead — a good sign your correction mid-weld is working.
  • The stop shows attention to filling the crater.
  • Bead placement tracks the joint line well.

Priority improvements

Work these in order — each one builds on the last.

Why it matters

Marks adjacent to the bead may indicate arc strikes outside the joint.

How to practice it

Build baseline arc control and consistency.

Possible concerns

Visual indications only — a photo cannot confirm whether a discontinuity is actually present or how deep it goes. Where your instructor weighed in, their call is labeled and takes priority over the AI.

  • Possible arc strikes

    UncertainModerate

    Location: intermittently along the bead

    Marks adjacent to the bead may indicate arc strikes outside the joint.

Suggested practice drill

Stringer-bead pads

Build baseline arc control and consistency. Fill a 4×6 in plate with parallel stringer beads, each overlapping the previous by one-third. Focus on a steady arc length and even travel. Photograph the pad and compare ripple consistency to your last session.

Add drills to a plan in the full app

Related lessons & defect reading

The full lessons and defect library live in the app — here’s what they cover.

Technique & equipment

Technique suggestions

  • Brace your hand or forearm so travel comes from your whole arm, not your wrist.
  • Keep your arc length equal to about the electrode/wire diameter and check it whenever the sound changes.
  • Do a dry run along the joint before striking to confirm you can reach the full length comfortably.

Equipment considerations

  • At 95 A, check the puddle: excessive spatter and undercut can mean amperage is high for this electrode size.

System

Processing record

Status
Completed
Provider
mock
Model
arcforge-mock-1
Prompt version
v1
Schema version
v1
Attempts
1
Submitted
Jun 8, 2026, 4:50 PM
Completed
Jun 8, 2026, 4:50 PM

Analysis ID: preview-5