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Eng. Diego Cifuentes

  • Professor of Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints

  • WPS/PQR and welder qualification, MIG/MAG/TIG processes (carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum), deformation control and thermal inputs, NDT (VT/PT/MT/UT/RT, TOFD/PAUT), traceability, and acceptance criteria.

Naval engineer and ISO 9712 Level 3 specialist with over 12 years of experience in shipyards, yacht refits, and port works. Leads Navalis’ welded joint inspection and quality assurance (QA/QC) line, integrating WPS/PQR specifications, WPQ qualifications (welders and operators), and welding plans with deformation control and thermal management (preheating, interpass, PWHT when applicable). He is proficient in MIG/MAG/TIG processes on naval steel (energy saving, low spatter), marine aluminum (5xxx/6xxx series) and stainless steel, with metal-composite transition where applicable (inserts, bonding).

As N3 ISO 9712, designs and approves NDT procedures (VT/PT/MT/UT/RT, TOFD/PAUT), calibrates equipment, evaluates indications, determines acceptance classes, and issues reports with documentary traceability for Class/IACS (DNV, LR, BV), ISO 3834 (quality requirements for fusion welding) and specific standards (ISO 5817/10042, ISO 2553, ISO 9606, ISO 15614, ASME IX). Its approach connects production, engineering, and quality: welding maps, ITP by milestones, releases by hold points, and closure with complete manufacturing/refit dossiers. It absorbs the inspection line and coatings at the metal-paint interface to prevent defects due to contamination, insufficient preparation, or overheating.

Skills Key

  • WPS/PQR/WPQ: drafting, essential/supplementary variables (ASME IX/ISO 15614), thermal record, coupons, and mechanical tests (tensile, bending, impact, hardness).

     

  • Welding processes: GMAW (MIG/MAG), GTAW (TIG), FCAW; gas/consumable selection, synergic parameters, cleaning and porosity control in Al.

     

  • Deformation control: backstep sequences, skip, opposition welding, heat input, thermal clamps, templates and restriction flanges.

     

  • NDT: VT (illuminance, distances, profiles), PT (visible/fluorescent inks), MT (yoke, bench, particles), UT (conventional, TOFD/PAUT), RT (digital and film); preparation, calibration, interpretation, and level 3 reporting.

     

  • Acceptance criteria: ISO 5817 (steel) / ISO 10042 (aluminum), levels B/C/D, correlation with Class and service requirements.

     

  • Traceability: consumable batches, 3.1 certificates, machine parameters, weld maps, signatures, and MDR (Manufacturing Data Record).

     

  • Regulations and class: ISO 3834, ISO 9606/15614, ISO 2553, DNV/LR/BV, SOLAS/ISM (when applicable to the scope).

     

  • Safety: ventilation, fume control, PPE, ionizing sources (RT) and hot work permits.

Find out more

Current teaching

  • “Naval MIG/MAG/TIG Welding: WPS, PQR, and Deformation Control” — Degree/Diploma, 6 ECTS, blended learning, T1
  • “Non-Destructive Testing (ISO 9712): VT/PT/MT/UT/RT and Advanced Techniques (TOFD/PAUT)” — Professional Certificate, 80 hours, online + practical training, T2
  • “QA/QC of Welded Joints for Class” — Master’s Degree/Diploma, 4 ECTS, online, T3

Programmes in which they participate

  1. Master’s Degree in Shipbuilding & Refit (60 ECTS, blended learning) — Senior Lecturer / Head of Welding QA/QC

    Modules: welding engineering for refit; WPS/PQR in steel/aluminum; deformation control; manufacturing dossier and class releases.

     

  2. Master’s Degree in Naval Structures and Materials (45–60 ECTS, blended) — Associate Professor

    Modules: weldability of naval steels, HAZ, toughness vs. heat input, dissimilar joints, and acceptance criteria.

     

  3. Master’s Degree in Marina Management & Operations (30–45 ECTS, blended) — Guest lecturer

    Modules: dry dock repair inspection, hull and appendage NDT, release protocols.

     

  4. Diploma in Predictive Maintenance and Survey — Head of the NDT block

    Modules: inspection plans, technique selection, criticality, and survey reporting.

     

  5. Diploma in Naval MIG/TIG Welding and NDT — Academic coordinator

    Modules: welding sequences, parameters, WPS/PQR, VT/PT/MT/UT/RT, ISO 5817/10042 acceptance.

     

  6. ISO 9712 (N1/N2) Preparation Certificate — Naval — N3 Manager and Internal Examiner

    Modules: theory and practice by method, ethics and independence, preparation of instructions and mock exams.

     

  7. Short CPD courses

    “Welding maps and dimensional control in refit” (12 hours).

    “TOFD/PAUT for detecting lack of fusion in thick plate” (16 hours).

    “Welding of 5xxx/6xxx marine aluminum with pulsed TIG/MIG” (12 hours).

Accreditations and certifications

  • ISO 9712 Level 3 (at least in UT/PT/MT; experience in VT/RT and advanced techniques).
  • ISO 3834 Inspector/Coordinator (quality in fusion welding).
  • ASME IX (procedure and personnel qualification) — advanced training.
  • Safety certificates for RT (ionizing sources) and hot work permits.

Key experience

  • Conversion of 48 m yacht (steel): redesign of sequences, thermal control, and backstep; reduction in deck warping −38% and rework −29%; class acceptance without observations.
  • 20–30 m aluminum fleet: implementation of pulsed MIG + ionic cleaning; porosity reduction −45% and deposition rate increase +18%.
  • NDT program on coastal ferry: migration to TOFD/PAUT; improvement of PoD in lack of fusion and reduction of time on site −22% compared to RT.

Publications / applied research

  • “ISO 5817/10042 acceptance criteria in naval refit: visual guide and typical cases” — technical guide.
  • “Traceability of consumables and welding maps: from WPS to MDR” — white paper.
  • “Comparison of UT vs. TOFD/PAUT for LOF detection in thicknesses >12 mm” — technical note.

Projects / consultancy

  • Comprehensive QA/QC system for boutique shipyards: ITP, hold points, training of internal inspectors, and ISO 3834 auditing.
  • WPS/PQR qualification program for marine aluminum: coupons, mechanical/metallurgical testing, process approval.
  • NDT plan for shipyards and marinas: criticality matrices, technique selection, contracts, and reporting formats.

Methodology and assessment

  • Approach: project-based learning and supervised practice; from WPS design to PQR/ITP closure with testing and assessment.
  • Assessment: participation 10%, practical work 35%, applied project 35% (WPS/PQR + NDT plan + acceptance criteria), exam 20%.
  • Tools: GMAW/GTAW machines with recording, parameter meters, templates, PT inks, MT yoke, UT/TOFD/PAUT, RT equipment (in approved centers).

Teaching outcomes/KPIs

  • Projects with complete dossiers (WPS/PQR/ITP) in >90% of equipment.
  • Decrease in non-conformities (porosity, lack of fusion, undercutting) between 1st and 3rd practice: −25–40%.
  • Student satisfaction: 4.7/5 in modules with intensive practice.

Languages

  • Spanish (C2)
  • English (B2/C1)

Availability

Valencia campus and online; workshops at a designated shipyard; annual.

Contact

Email: diego.cifuentes@navalisinstitute.co.uk

LinkedIn: (añadir URL si procede)

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