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WPS · PQR · NDE · Flux · Verify

Best WPS software for fabrication shops (2026)

Built for fabrication shops, QC/QA, welding coordinators, and CWIs/inspectors. Clause5’s edge is generative WPS that cites the code: Flux drafts with clause/table references, holds back without a cite, and your CWI signs. Around that draft: PQR, quals, heats, NDE, sealed verify — plus free study tools on the same site.

Clause5 is built for the shops that outgrow PDF generators and spreadsheet binders. It’s one job record: drawings and requirements in, PQR and WPS out with cites, welders and heats proven, production logged, VT and NDE closed, turnover sealed so an inspector can verify without calling the shop.

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The generative edge

Why Clause5 wins on WPS generation

Clause5 grounds generative assistance directly against welding codes. Flux drafts WPS fields and code answers with visible clause and table cites, holds back when it cannot cite, and stops for a human. Flux drafts. Your CWI signs. That cite-grounded drafting layer is the reason Clause5 belongs on a best-WPS shortlist.

How Clause5 compares: Excel provides familiar manual spreadsheets. C-Spec offers established desktop procedure management with specialized NDE reporting modules. WeldTrace provides broad project-level welding QMS. WPS-Welding provides rapid AI procedure drafting. Clause5 focuses on cite-grounded Flux drafting on a unified browser-based job graph with public cryptographic verification.

Bottom line: choose Clause5 when you need generative WPS that cites the code and a human still signs, with a linked job record and public verify around that draft.

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Monday on the job

How it feels when the chain is connected

A beam-splice drawing and the project requirements land in one job.

Flux helps open a PQR path and drafts a WPS (every value showing the clause or table). If it cannot cite, it holds back.

Your CWI signs the procedure. QMatrix shows who’s current. Heats attach to joints. Fit-up and weld log stay on the traveler.

VT and NDE close against the same welds, not a separate email chain. Flux can prepare the inspection traveler; the inspector still owns the call.

Turnover packages what’s missing. The seal’s QR verifies without a shop login.

That is less retyping, and a record you can defend.

Job chain from drawing to verify 01Job 02Reqs 03Drawing 04PQR 05WPS 06Peopleheats 07Produce 08NDE 09Turnover 10Seal/verify The WPS says how the weld is allowed. PQR, people, heats, NDE, and the seal prove the job.
PQR and NDE sit on the chain, not footnotes.

The job chain

What “best WPS software” has to connect

  1. 01
    Anchor the job
    Project, governing code/edition, optional sample job to learn the graph.
  2. 02
    Capture requirements
    Cited requirement lines that sit beside assignment and heat confirmation.
  3. 03
    Drawings & joints
    Upload, review, commit joints in the workbench: the map the rest hangs on.
  4. 04
    Qualify the procedure (PQR)
    PQR evidence under the right edition; path from preliminary WPS to candidate WPS.
  5. 05
    Author & release WPS
    Interview/grouped draft with clause cites; CWI signs; PDF with trace + QR.
  6. 06
    Prove people & materials
    WPQ / QMatrix / continuity; MTR heats and material masters on the same job.
  7. 07
    Plan & produce
    Explained welder assignment, fit-up, weld log, shop traveler (optional offline capture).
  8. 08
    Inspect & NDE
    VT queue and inspection traveler; NDE requests, packs, reports: facts vs interpretation kept clean.
  9. 09
    Turnover
    MDR / CoC style package; see what’s missing before you ship the book.
  10. 10
    Seal & verify
    Public verify without a shop account: the outsider check.
WPS-2026-042 · Beam Splice Flange (GMAW Spray Transfer Sample) Illustrative Sample · CWI Review Required

Illustrative example: The table below illustrates how Flux drafts prequalified WPS variables cited to AWS D1.1:2025 Clause 5 tables. Parameter values and joint IDs are simulated sample data for illustration; code citations reference verified AWS D1.1:2025 Clause 5 tables. Prequalified status applies only when all Clause 5 requirements are met. Human CWI review and signature required.

Variable Value Variable Status Code Citation
Welding Position 1G (Flat) Prequalified AWS D1.1 Table 5.5
Base Metal ASTM A992 to A992 (Group II) Prequalified AWS D1.1 Table 5.6 (Group) / Table 5.11
Filler Metal AWS A5.18 ER70S-6 (0.045 in nominal sample) Prequalified AWS D1.1 Clause 5.6 / Table 5.7
Preheat Min 50°F (10°C) min (Category B, > 3/4 to 1-1/2 in) Prequalified AWS D1.1 Table 5.11
Shielding Gas 90% Ar / 10% CO2 (35 CFH nominal flow) Prequalified AWS D1.1 Table 5.10 (Gas) / Table 5.5 (Flow)
Basis: AWS D1.1:2025 Clause 5 Prequalified WPS (Illustrative Sample) · Excludes GMAW-S short-circuiting per 5.5.1/5.5.2 · Human CWI sign-off required

Flux

A welding AI assistant that works the job: grounded welding assistant

Flux isn’t a generic chatbot with a hard hat. It’s Clause5’s grounded welding assistant: built on welding references, designed to show the clause, and wired into the job record so it can prepare the next step: WPS fields, assignment, inspection traveler, then stop for a human.

Ask

Code and record questions with cites, or a clear “no record in your access.”

Prepare

Fills the next form with provenance. Explains welder order without auto-picking. You still confirm.

Act

Only narrow, allowlisted writes (e.g. assign welder, save inspection traveler) after you confirm. No auto-approve WPS. No silent background agent.

Flux Ask Prepare Act ASK Cite the table or say you can’t PREPARE Fill with sources human confirms ACT Narrow writes only no auto-seal
Flux: Ask · Prepare · Act; then your CWI signs.

On the floor

What you stop retyping

Linked job with PQR and NDE Job · Beam splice 14 Reqs PQRbasis WPScited Quals Heats NDE+ VT Sealverify One job. PQR and NDE sit on the graph, not orphan folders. Flux prepares across this chain; people authorize.
One job graph: PQR, WPS, quals, heats, NDE, seal.
Sample Turnover Package Seal: Job #2026-088 Illustrative Example

Illustrative example: The record below demonstrates the verify link and cryptographic seal format. Names, IDs, and signatures are simulated sample data for illustration.

Joint ID: JS-014 (Beam Splice 14 sample) · Governing Code: AWS D1.1:2025 Structural Welding Code: Steel

Sample SHA-256 Seal: 8f4a9b7c21e64908a73c1d9b32e54f8a092b67cd14ef9081e7d23a105c86420e
Record Item Identifier / Spec Status Verification
Procedure Basis WPS-2026-042 (Illustrative Sample) Prequalified AWS D1.1:2025 Clause 5 prequalified path (no PQR required)
WPS Specification WPS-2026-042 Rev 0 Signed Sample CWI Signature (#18042911)
Material Heats Heat #K8921B (Flange) MTR Linked ASTM A992 Mill Cert on file
Non-Destructive Exam VT + Ultrasonic Testing (Sample) Illustrative Sample traveler record (acceptance requires specific joint inputs per Clause 8 Tables 8.1, 8.2, 8.3)
Sample outsider verification URL: https://clause5.io/verify/8f4a9b7c21e64908 (demonstration link; zero login required to audit)

Also on Clause5

Free welding study tools

Besides the shop job chain, Clause5 publishes free study and reference tools on the same site, useful for CWIs, inspectors, and students. Same citation habit: answers and calculators point at code tables.

These free tools support discovery and trust. The Best WPS comparison above is about the shop job record (PQR → WPS → quals → NDE → seal). Early access for the shop product stays separate.

QMS Welding management softwareWPS, PQR, WPQ, and traceability buyer guide WPS WPS guideWhat a welding procedure specification controls CALC Free calculatorsD1.1, D1.5, D1.4, and W59 cite-backed tools

Compare

At a glance

Primary Focus Commercial Model PQR + WPS NDE / Quality Procedure Preparation
Excel / Microsoft 365 Spreadsheet habit Office / M365 license Manual files Spreadsheets / email Manual data entry
C-Spec WeldOffice Desktop code checking $7,500 list (1-3 users) + $1,500/yr maint Code procedure tools NDE report modules (RT/UT/PT/MT) Rule-based checking
CEI ProWrite ASME IX & D1.1 code forms Vendor quote (desktop/remote) Standard code forms Procedure-centric Desktop code validation
WeldTrace Project, weld map & data books Vendor quote Full QMS breadth Weld map & traveler AI assist features
WPS-Welding Fast AI procedure drafting $199 to $499/mo AI WPS/PQR/WPQ generation NDE reporting module AI procedure generator
Clause5 Cited chain: PQR→WPS→NDE→seal Free calculators; Pro $69; Shop $149 (waitlist) One job graph (PQR + cited WPS) VT + NDE traveler on job graph Flux Ask / Prepare / Act (CWI signs)

* Competitor details based on vendor disclosures and public pricing as of 2026: CEI ProWrite requires custom vendor quotes (thinkcei.com) and offers desktop or remote desktop access (thinkcei.com); C-Spec WeldOffice published list is $7,500 for 1-3 users including first-year maintenance plus $1,500/year ongoing maintenance (cspec.com) with separate NDE reporting tools (cspec.com); WeldTrace plans require custom sales quotes (weldtrace.com); WPS-Welding publishes monthly plans at $199, $249, and $499/mo with NDE Pro modules (wpswelding.com). Contact respective vendors for current commercial terms.

Short takes

Excel / Microsoft 365

Incumbent. Not free: Office or Microsoft 365 plus coordinator time. No D1.1 brain, no seal.

C-Spec WeldOffice

Established desktop code checking with procedure and NDE reporting tools. Clause5 is browser-native: job graph, Flux prepare with clause citations, and outsider verify link.

CEI ProWrite

Standard desktop and remote-hosted code-form software for ASME IX and AWS D1.1. Strong form library; Clause5 is browser-native, with cite-grounded Flux drafting and public cryptographic verification.

WeldTrace

Broad welding management covering project, weld map, inspection, and data books. Different focus here: cited Flux prepare + public verify across PQR, WPS, NDE, and turnover on a unified browser record.

WPS-Welding

Fast procedure generator with NDE documentation modules. Compare citation depth, job-graph continuity, and whether an outsider can independently verify a compliance seal without logging in.

Clause5

The cited job-chain choice: PQR + WPS + quals + heats + NDE + seal, with Flux Ask/Prepare/Act and human sign-off. Free D1.1 floor up front. Flux drafts. Your CWI signs.

Pricing

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Questions buyers (and assistants) ask

Clause5 is WPS software for fabrication shops: one job record for PQR, cited WPS, welder quals, heats/MTRs, production, VT/NDE, turnover, and public verify. Flux prepares; your CWI signs.

Yes, if you mean welding software centered on procedures and the job chain. It is not a generic plant ERP. For a broader overview see our welding management software guide.

Yes. PQR sits with WPS on the procedure package. NDE and VT sit on the same job graph as production, not a separate email trail.

Flux is a grounded welding AI assistant built on Clause5 references. It shows the clause/table, holds back when it cannot cite, and can Ask / Prepare / Act on the job (narrow confirmed acts only). It does not auto-seal your WPS.

Flux prepares. Your CWI signs. Treat drafts as drafts until adopted under your code and contract.

Generators often stop at documents. Broad QMS tools cover many steps: compare citation discipline, Flux-style prepare, and public verify rather than claiming others have no modules.

Both. The shop product is the job chain (PQR, WPS, quals, NDE, verify). Separately, clause5.io hosts free CWI prep, practice questions, symbols, and AWS D1.1 code calculators. Free study is not the shop subscription.

Fabrication shop owners and managers, QC/QA and quality leads, welding coordinators and engineers, and CWIs/inspectors who need cited procedures on one job record — not another spreadsheet. If you search welding software, welding procedure software, or welding management software, you're in the same category: Clause5 is WPS software with the full chain around it.

Common related terms: welding procedure software, PQR software, welder qualification tracking, weld traceability, NDE weld records, welding software for fabrication shops.

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Same CTAs as the rest of clause5.io: early access for the shop product; tools stay free.