This thesis was made for Aiku, Vocational Adult Education Centre of Raahe during the spring and autumn of 2014. The subject of the thesis was to design an operator’s qualification station for the metal wokshop of Aiku. Aiku had already the required equipment but the qualification station had to be designed first in order to build it.

The goal of the thesis was to design an operator’s qualification station to be used for a submerged arc tractor and with minor modifications for the MIG/MAG carriage unit. Compulsory and optional design requirements were given for the structure, functionality and safety of the qualification station. The structure of the qualification station had to be designed so that it would carry the weight of metal objects and a submerged arc tractor. The station had to be designed to be safe and easy to be use.

Industry literature, internet publications and statements from professionals were used as references. Basic knowledge of MIG/MAG and submerged arc welding were studied in the book ´Hitsaustekniikat ja teräsrakenteet´ by Pertti Lepola and Matti Makkonen and standards for operator´s qualification in the SFS handbook. The instructors of the thesis gave valuable information and opinions for thesis writing and for the structure, features and safety regulations of the qualification station.

A functional design of the operator’s qualification station was completed during the thesis, which fulfilled all compulsory and optional design requirements for the structure and safety. Safety was taken into account by adding shields around the qualification station. The table and equipment were marked with safety colors.

The design of the operator’s qualification station includes 3D model and technical drawings. The design can be used for manufacturing the required parts and for assembly of the qualification station. The table can be further improved for better mobility and easier customization.