Arc welding is a type of stud welding technique with specific applications we’ll cover in this article.
In today’s post, we’ll show you why arc welding is so effective, which materials it works best for, and provide recommendations for using arc welding based on the job, industry, and more.
Before we dive into arc welding itself, let’s talk about the benefits of stud welding for metal workers.
The Stud Welding Difference
You’re familiar with welding.
It’s simple – welding is the process of connecting one metal to another. When you think of welding, you may imagine traditional welding. But what about stud welding?
Stud welding is a more efficient way to connect metals, saving you time, money, and materials. With arc welding, the stud joins the piece of metal instantly by heating the stud and metal at the same time.
You may be wondering why this is important.
Joining the stud and the metal at once creates a closer and more durable bond. This means the structure you build with arc welding will maintain its strength longer. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the metal to degrade long before the weld itself.
There’s also less room for error and the need for rework. When you don’t use stud welding, you need more effort and put yourself at risk of having to reweld sections if the bolts don’t connect properly. Also, the “clinching process” of traditional welding isn’t as strong or long-lasting as stud welding because the bond isn’t as strong as heating multiple parts at once.
It’s easy to see how this leads to cost savings too. It’s a simple equation—less labor time, less need for re-work, and fewer materials needed equals lower cost.
At Northland Fastening systems, we promote stud welding not only because we sell stud welding products, but because the process is simply better and easier.
Let’s dive into the need-to-know details of arc welding and how it can apply to your needs.
Arc Welding Applications
It’s important to know how this process works for different needs and industries.
It’s a great solution for a variety of applications, but here are some core industries where it works best.
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Sheet metal fabrication is often used for these industries:
- Construction – commercial, residential, and industrial
- Manufacturing equipment
- Kitchen equipment
- Elevators
- Shipbuilding – specifically hydraulic presses
The main benefit of stud welding for sheet metal fabrication is appearance.
Stud welding fuses metals together without leaving many marks. Think about the benefits of this seamless process. Your equipment, parts, and structures will have the look and feel of a precision part formed from scratch, even though the parts are fused together. This gives an added professional look. Details matter in all structures and having that clean look and feel can make a better impression on people who see them.
Again, the process is also more efficient because of its speed and that it creates a more durable weld.
Agriculture Equipment
To explain the process simply, different types of agricultural equipment have many large pieces of metal that are fused together like the chassis, cab frame, fenders, and brackets.
The farm industry demands strong, durable parts for its equipment. This stud welding process is used in some of the most important machinery in the world.
For an industry on which we rely so heavily, it’s best to use stud welding to achieve better results.
Lawn and Garden Equipment
Similar to agriculture equipment, although not as large in scale, you want your lawn and garden equipment like lawn mowers to have tightly fused and strong frames.
Other outdoor equipment like barbecues benefit from the seamless look of having arc welded parts.
Hospitals, Schools, and Other Facilities with Industrial Needs
We won’t dive into the details of the large number of different pieces of equipment needed to run these facilities.
The point here is to focus on the importance of having a quick and reliable solution in industries where efficiency has a significant impact.
Anytime you are working on a large project, time and money are of the utmost importance. Loss of materials, time spent on rework, the need for more labor, and less efficient processes can have a huge impact on your bottom line.
If you are building a new facility or revamping your current one, consider a stud welding solution to meet your needs quickly and in a cost-effective way.
Take the Next Step
If you need help understanding our arc weld inventory, have questions about stud welding for your business, or you’re ready to take the next step, contact us now.
You can request a quote online, contact us with your questions, or call us directly at (651) 730-770.
Let us help you with all your metal working needs.
