I would go to welders, let them teach me…
In recent years, fewer and fewer students have been entering technical specialties in Ukrainian universities, even on budget quotas. However, this trend is not typical for Zaporizhzhia National Technical University, which recently celebrated its 117th birthday. There are enough people who want to study at ZNTU, especially in specialties that are in high demand in modern conditions. These include the specialty of engineer-welder, which is gaining popularity due to the development of laser and plasma technologies, as well as 3D-metal printing. What makes the profession of engineer-welder attractive to young people? We will talk about this with the head of the department «Equipment and technology of welding production» of the engineering-physics faculty of ZNTU — Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Oleksandr Ovchinnikov.
A few historical facts
— You can get a part of the desired shape in various ways — by casting, pressing, machining. It is advisable to manufacture a complex product by welding, inseparably connecting metal parts using special welding processes, — says Oleksandr Ovchinnikov. — It turned out that Ukraine became the pioneer in the development of welding technologies in the Soviet Union, back in the 30s of the last century, the Institute of Electric Welding of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR was created in Kyiv. The welding process later turned out to be such a popular industry that such an industrial region as the Zaporizhzhia region could not do without its own training base of specialized personnel. In 1963, the Department of Welding Equipment and Technology was organized at the Faculty of Mechanics and Metallurgy of the Zaporizhzhia Machine-Building Institute [ZMI]. It was headed and managed for many years by Veniamin Popov, who later became the rector of the university. Over half a century, more than three thousand engineers have been trained. I have been heading the department for the last year and a half.
—What would you answer to the question of a graduate–schoolchild: «Welding — is it interesting at all»?
—Not only interesting, but also vital. No serious production — mechanical engineering or metallurgical — can do without welding technologies. What is a modern welding method? Imagine: a workshop, an automated arm– a robot that cuts– welds a part of a complex shape independently. The person organizing the work must be able to correctly calculate and model the design, know metallurgy, metal science, welding technology, have automation and programming skills. That is, welding — This is a polytechnic specialty that allows you to master almost all technical skills.
Titanium is a metal for all metals
—Have you heard that your department opens a "window of opportunity&raqou;
—At ZNTU, as a structural unit, there is a scientific–research center «Titan Zaporizhzhia» that solves specific problems of specific enterprises. We, practically the only ones in Ukraine, also develop the so-called spherical powders used on 3D–printers for growing parts of any–geometry. Isn’t it interesting — to press a button and grow a part or an entire product using a laser, plasma or invisible electron beam, having previously created its 3D–model on a computer? Such printers are already being introduced at «Motor Sich» that allow you to obtain parts for aircraft engines, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles of the so-called new generation. And this very promising direction will also be developed by our students.
To those who are thinking about life
—A young man of 17-18 years wants to connect his future life with technology. But he has not decided on a specific profession. What do you recommend?
—Join us. A person goes to study to gain competence. So, after the welding department you will get such competence. You will not just study for five years, — you will see real production, undergo practice on high-tech equipment of the enterprise, for example, «Motor Sich», master all the skills, become a specialist. As a student, you can engage in scientific work, from the third year perform real tasks — we also pay money for this. Our students participate in scientific projects, speak at conferences, travel around Ukraine and abroad. An entry may appear in your work book: was a research fellow. A good welder will find himself in any– production. That is why our graduates — good technicians, managers and top managers, and some of them became politicians, deputies and mayors. I will add that this academic year almost 60 students entered the department, completely filling budget places. Admission to the master’s program in 2017 increased more than six times. The situation is similar with postgraduate and doctoral studies.
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