- 2025 Inductee
Bobby Ables
Authorized Inspector
“Currently Retired”
- EXPERIENCE
- 40 years
- COMPANY
- "Currently Retired"
- REGION
- Texas
- COMPANY
- List Item #3
- REGION
- List Item #3
Areas of Focus
ASME Sections, VIII, IX
NBIC
Credentials / Professional Snapshot
- NATIONAL BOARD NUMBER
- 10728
- STATE ENDORSEMENTS
- A, B, R
- AIA'S WORKED FOR
- Delta Lloyds, Arkwright/FM Global, Authorized Inspection Associates/ Seneca Insurance, TUV Rheinland
- YEAR BECAME AN AI
- 1968
- PREFERRED CODE SECTIONS
- ASME Sections, VIII, Ix & The NBIC due to those being what I worked with most from the start.
Background
- WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
- Houston, TX
- FIRST JOB
- Gas stations, Welders Helper at Mosher Steel Company
Career Journey
- HOW DID YOU BECOME AN AI?
- I was the Q.C. Manager & Welding Engineer at Electro Welding Company. The owners of Delta Lloyds Insurance saw potential in me and after Electro Welding Company closed its doors, I went to work for Delta Lloyds.
- HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AN AUTHORIZED INSPECTOR, AND WHAT FIRST LED YOU INTO THIS ROLE?
- 40 years.Retired completely in 2014.
- HIGHLIGHT OF BEING AN AI?
- Loved all the different Code applications and diversities of so many Fabrication Companies involved with.
- WHAT WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART OF BEING AN AI?
- When I had to reject something that good and honest people made an honest mistake on.
- WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING AN AUTHORIZED INSPECTOR?
- Just the great people and fabricators i worked with over all the years. I developed some real good friendships.
Professional Perspective
- WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTION PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT AUTHORIZED INSPECTORS?
- That we were there to find something wrong and reject it.
- WHAT'S ONE INSPECTION HABIT OR BEST PRACTICE YOU BELIEVE EVERY MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE SERIOUSLY?
- Fabricate it better than you have to. The Code is the minimum but remember your name and reputation are going on the nameplate and Data Report.
- CAN YOU SHARE A MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER WHERE YOUR INSPECTION MADE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE?
- There were many but one situation was when there was an issue of a Code item honestly being border line on acceptance or rejection. I convinced the customer that it was definitely not a safety issue and the item was accepted. The customer trusted me and the fabricator never forgot it. My inspection activities in that shop were much easier from that point on.
- WHAT QUALITIES SEPARATE A "GOOD" INSPECTION PROCESS FROM AN EXCELLENT ONE?
- I guess just looking at the items like they were yours and inspect it to your personal qualities.
- HOW DO YOU STAY CURRENT WITH CHANGES TO ASME CODES AND INDUSTRY EXPECTATIONS?
- Actually after being retired, I do the on-line National Board proficiency examinations and periodically look over Code materials I have collected over the years.
- WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ENGINEERS, QA TEAMS, OR FABRICATORS WORKING WITH AUTHORIZED INSPECTORS?
- Don’t try to hide anything from the AI. If you have a good honest AI he will work with you to work out any problems you have.
- WHY DO YOU THINK THE ROLE OF THE AUTHORIZED INSPECTOR IS CRITICAL TO THE INDUSTRY'S FUTURE IN A DIGITAL WORLD?
- In my opinion. There still is nothing like the hands on involvement no what technology has come up with. Guess I’m just old!😂
- WHAT'S ONE LESSON THE JOB HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT APPLIES BEYOND INSPECTIONS?
- Do the right thing no matter what! Galatians 6:9.
Fun / Personality
- WHAT'S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU'VE EVER FOUND HIDDEN INSIDE A PRESSURE VESSEL OR WELD JOINT DURING AN INSPECTION?
- A dead cat after a pressure test. Remember you asked! 🤷
- IF YOUR CAREER AS AN AI HAD A MOVIE TITLE AND TAGLINE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
- The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.