Building Better, Safer, and Longer-Lasting Water Towers with Quality Structural Steel Welding

For over twenty years, Northland Fastening Systems has provided stud welding services and expertise in addition to high-quality parts and accessories for a wide range of industries. From slender studs used in various food-grade stud welding projects to the strong connection points stud welding supports steel structures with, our team of experienced and highly knowledgeable welders can meet all our customers’ needs. Not only does performing structural steel welding with drawn arc studs save time and money because stud welding is such a rapid, low waste welding technique, it also creates connections points that are sturdier and longer-lasting than any other methods of building with structural sheet metal.

 

When you partner with NFS for stud welding services or products, you can expect the highest quality and most comprehensive welding possibilities for your structural steel project. Our team of expert welders has worked to complete a wide range of structural steel welding projects, from small units to large scale systems. One of the more unusual structures we’ve worked on is the manufacturing of sheet metal forms used in the construction of water towers.

 

Building Water Towers

 

Because water towers have to withstand the weight of thousands of gallons of water and the pressure that weight imposes without contaminating the water with rust and other corrosion, building water tower structures is highly specialized work. Stud welding is a key manufacturing technique for the building of several water tower components including:

 

  • Structural legs that support the tank
  • Interior tubing running from the tank to the ground
  • Structural supports placed strategically on the legs and tank
  • Access ladders, stands, railing, and panels for maintenance workers
  • Any additional sheet metal components unique to each tower ranging from cosmetic to structurally integral

 

Water towers have to be safe, sealed, and weather resistant. They are a vital part of many city plans and communities, providing clean, healthy water to the residents and businesses. The production of tight, durable, long-lasting components of water towers is something our stud welders take very seriously. With our stud welding capabilities, the production of sheet metal parts for many structures, including water towers, is a streamlined operation.

 

Not only does NFS offer sheet metal stud welding services for large structures, we also provide sheet metal stud welding for smaller components that don’t have to hold up to extreme conditions but require the clean look of stud welding.

 

To learn more about our stud welding services for sheet metal and our additional work in structural steel welding, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 today, or request a quote to get started in a partnership.

The History and Importance of the American Welding Society for CD and Drawn Arc Stud Welding Supplies

As a provider of stud welding supplies, welder rentals, and comprehensive stud welding services, Northland Fastening Systems is dedicated to continually promoting quality and best practices for stud welding in all industries. Two significantly positive impacts on our ability to offer the most reliable stud welding services and stud welding products are our own quality control systems and our goal to meet the standards of the American Welding Society (AWS). The AWS is the primary national outliner of the highest quality welding in all capacities. Our stud welding technicians offer services to a wide range of industries that follow AWS regulations, and NFS provides a wide range of quality stud welding supplies and accessories.

 

Since its foundation in 1919, the American Welding Society has worked as a nonprofit organization to improve, bolster, and establish best welding and related practices at an industrial level. NFS supports and strives to maintain AWS standards with our own work. As a part of this work to meet AWS standards, all our stud welding supplies, tools, accessories, and stud welding services meet the specifications of the welding society as well as our own in-house quality standards.

 

While the AWS offers a certification program for companies providing services including welding, soldering, thermal spraying, brazing, and other forms of cutting and allied joining processes, this is just a small portion of the important work they do. The AWS has helped to support unparalleled work in the welding industry, both in uniting welders and welding organizations across the country, and in expanding the scope of welding science from the small stud welding equipment we use at NFS to large-scale automated arc welding equipment at military, aerospace, and industrial levels.

 

Headquartered in Miami, FL, the AWS continues to establish welding codes that serve to advance welding operations and reach, from improving the practices used commonly in the industry to discovering and testing newer, potentially more effective welding processes. The AWS works to unite welders and welding industrial players across the country with the basis of three pillars of operations:

 

  1. Certification: The AWS has a quality welders certification program for companies in the welding industry that is offered for a variety of roles including welders, engineers, inspectors, supervisors, sales representatives, and more.
  2. Membership: There are over 70,000 members of the AWS across the globe, from individuals to corporations to students. Members of the AWS have access to a full range of benefits that vary depending on membership type.
  3. Research and Education: To continue the development of welding sciences, the AWS is committed to researching welding operations and educating those in the industry. This includes programs like SENSE, international seminars, widespread research labs, and much more.

 

When you partner with NFS, you can trust our stud welding technicians and stud welding supplies to meet AWS standards every step of the way. To learn more about our services and products, contact us at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote today.

Meeting NEMA Standards for Electrical Enclosures with Quality Drawn Arc Stud Welding

Over the last 200 years, humanity has discovered hundreds of ways to utilize a steady flow of electrical energy. Today, these applications make up an enormous range of hardware, software, and other tools for extensive varieties of circumstances. To successfully use electricity, the development of other highly specific tools was necessary. One example of a common tool used to accommodate the needs of many electronic systems is an electrical enclosure. These enclosures are suited for countless applications of electrical energy, and they can be built in many different ways. At Northland Fastening Systems, we’ve found the most efficient, reliable, and highest quality ways to build electrical enclosures is with arc stud welding.

 

NFS offers stud welding services, stud welder rentals, and stud welding accessories suited for a comprehensive range of stud welding operations. Since 1987, we’ve provided stud welding services for several industries, including building electrical enclosures. Using drawn arc stud welding, you can quickly build a reliable electrical cabinet with a pristine exterior and solid structural integrity.

 

Electrical enclosures serve as a housing system for circuit boards, electrical equipment, switches, screens and other displays, gauges, dials, and many other features necessary for an electronic system to function. In addition to housing and supporting these components, electrical enclosures also protect a system from surges, corrosion, and exposure to other elements.

 

With NFS high-quality drawn arc stud welding supplies, you’re able to build electrical enclosures meeting a wide range of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards. NEMA enclosure standards outline requirements for more than twenty enclosure types. Some of the most common enclosures include:

 

  • Type 1: General purpose enclosures protect against dust, light and UV radiation, and some splashing. These cabinets are suited for indoor use for a wide range of common electrical systems.
  • Type 2: These electrical enclosures are similar to Type 1 cabinets but are suited for additional protection against dripping and heavier humidity.
  • Type 3: Designed for weather resistance in average conditions, these enclosures protect against rain, wind-blown debris, sleet, snow, falling dirt, and even ice.
  • Type 4: Electrical enclosures falling into this category are watertight and resistant to corrosion. They are often used outdoors, offshore, and in other locations that are frequently exposed to moisture.
  • Type 5: These cabinets are designed to prevent dust from permeating the exterior. They are critical for components used in mills and factories.
  • Type 6: While Type 4 electrical enclosures are watertight, they can’t match the water resistance of a Type 6 submersible cabinet. Submersion in water or oil for extended periods of time without damage is possible with a Type 6 enclosure.

 

Meeting NEMA standards for all electrical enclosures is possible when using the manufacturing capabilities offered with drawn arc stud welding. For a clean, quickly, and reliably made electrical enclosure, NFS is your one-stop-shop for tool rentals, welding services, and stud accessories. Contact us at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote for more information.

 

Arc Welding – What is Arc Welding and How Does it Benefit Your Metal Working Needs

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 the topic of arc welding itself, let’s talk about the benefits of stud welding for metal workers.

The Stud Welding Difference

You’ve heard the concept of welding before.

It’s simple – welding is the process of connecting one metal to another. You can use a variety of techniques like x, y, and z.

Stud welding saves time, money, and materials by creating a more efficient way to connect these metals. With arc welding, the stud joins the piece of metal instantly because it heats 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 tightly knit and more durable bond. This means the structure you build with arc welding will maintain its strength longer.

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 that part if the bolts don’t connect properly. Also, the “clinching process” of welding isn’t as strong or long-lasting as stud welding because the bond isn’t as strong as heating multiple parts at once.

You can see how this would lead 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 Explained

In the arc welding process, the electric arc fuses metal together with heat generated by the electricity. This method differs from using gas, which is less efficient.

Arc welding can use both DC and AC electrical currents. This is important because not all welding units accept both currents. Arc welding fuses the stud using an electrode. This electrode conducts the electricity needed to generate the heat.

When arc welding, you can feed the electrode automatically over and over again. Why is this important?

There are certain processes that benefit from this automated technique:

  • Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
  • Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)

If your machine shop or manufacturer uses these processes, arc welding helps complete them in the most efficient way.

The process also saves time in the following ways:

  • No need to switch parts like filler rods
  • Less chance for heat distortion – in other welding processes, spreading out the heat too much can distort the parts being fused together.
  • Decreases deposition rate – meaning you won’t use as much metal
  • Switching from manual to automatic processes (when this applies)

If you’re a machine shop owner or operator, the technical benefits are clear.

For purchasers working for companies with manufacturing needs, you can talk to your company about switching to this often easier and more efficient process. In many cases arc welding can be a more affordable solution because the process requires less equipment.

Applications

It’s important to know how this process works for different needs and industries.

It’s a process that works well for many 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

Here’s the main benefit of stud welding for sheet metal fabrication — 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 the speed and it creates more durability.

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 requires durable and strong parts for its equipment. The stud welding process is used in some of the most important machinery in the world.

It’s best to use the stud welding process in an industry we all rely on so much.

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 big 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.

Your Next Step

If you need help with understanding our arc weld inventory, have questions about stud welding for your business, or you’re ready to make a decision, contact us now.

You can request a quote online, visit our contact us page and send a question, or call us directly at 651-730-770.

Let us help you with all your metal working needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The History of Stud Welding and Using Stud Welding Equipment Today

Various forms of welding and metal forging have been around for centuries, but the process of stud welding is one of the most recent welding concepts utilized in today’s manufacturing world. Stud welding today can perform rapid, automated, and precise weld connections with a wide range of standard welding metals and highly specialized weld alloys. Whether you need to build a shelving unit with thin CD studs or put together a component with more structural strength, stud welding procedures offer a quick, reliable method of creating metal-to-metal connections. For high-quality stud welding equipment including tool rentals, studs and accessories for sale, and welding services, look no further than Northland Fastening Systems.

 

Our commitment to provide stud welding equipment and services is one we’ve upheld for over 30 years since our foundation in 1987. While the processes and tools used in stud welding procedures have changed since our beginning, the history of stud welding goes back further and has seen even greater changes along the way.

 

The first significant uses of stud welding as an industrial process began during the early 1900s just after the end of World War I. Records of these uses come from shipyards and shipbuilding docks in the industrial port towns of England. The first stud welding tools were simplistic devices that inserted a stud into the tip of a weld-head which could then be lifted away from the point of weld using a magnetic coil.

 

When stud welding proved to be a much more efficient method of connecting small weld points than other operations, innovative engineers and manufacturers sought to streamline and automate the process. In the early years of World War II, stud welding operations began to resemble what we use today for drawn arc stud welding processes. American engineer Ted Nelson and a few other pioneers in the stud welding industry strove to support the industrial side of the war effort by improving the possibilities stud welding could provide. Their work ultimately led to near fully-automated stud welding capabilities.

 

After WWII, stud welders continued to provide valuable services to the military, automotive, aerospace, and marine industries as well as many others. The development of more precise, higher quality drawn arc stud welding became a priority for many industry players including those involved in the Space Race of the 50s and 60s. NASA engineers played a key role in the improvement of drawn arc stud welding and the integration of capacitor discharge welding into mainstream manufacturing practices.

 

Today, we are able to utilize stud welding processes for an exceptionally comprehensive range of manufacturing purposes. To get started on your stud welding project, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 to learn more about our stud welding equipment and services, or request a quote today.