PERSPECTIVES OF INNOVATION IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN WELDING: CONSTRUCTION OF A OVEN FOR DRYING OF COATED ELECTRODES

Resumo

The methodology of learning based on problem solving stimulates cognitive development in addition to enabling the achievement of innovative solutions for the most different problems. For technical and technological education, it constitutes a tool capable of generating improvements in production processes, and should be continuously encouraged in education networks. For technical teaching in welding, it was proposed, as an object for the development of this study, the creation of a drying oven for coated electrodes, since some of them are highly hygroscopic and need to be dried so that their use in welding processes does not cause weld bead defects. In this sense, a low-cost greenhouse was manufactured, since low-cost and easily acquired materials were used, when compared to materials commonly used by the industry. The oven was made of steel plates joined by welding and a lamp was used inside to promote the heating necessary for the drying of the electrodes. To validate this function, a set of temperature measurements was carried out and it was verified that the drying temperature recommended by specific welding standards were achieved, showing that the manufactured stove meets the necessary requirements for its use. Additionally, it is possible to verify that the construction of this device not only fulfills the learning objectives based on problem solving, but also represents a potential for innovation, in view of the simplicity of its construction process and the use of low-cost inputs, which represents an alternative for teaching welding and even on an industrial scale, safeguarding the necessary successive improvements.