Month: May 2020

Improving Longevity for Fastening Systems with Effective Maintenance

Posted on by norfas by norfas

The industrial world today is broad with many differences between facilities, equipment, practices, and products between manufacturing types. Despite this, there are some natural similarities between each production floor. One of the most important commonalities between every industry is the need for continued maintenance. Whether that maintenance is reactive due to a break, preventative with routine schedules, or predictive depending on diagnostic information, it’s a critical component of any effective production practices.

 

At Northland Fastening Systems, our service technicians provide maintenance guidance to our customers who are utilizing stud welding equipment as their primary fastening systems. In addition to knowledge, the comprehensive supply of studs, welding tools, and accessories we offer are a key part of an effective maintenance program.

 

Compared to many other industrial applications, stud weld fastening systems are relatively simple tools, and maintenance is often easily performed even by beginning welders. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not important. For reliable performance results, your stud welding tools need effective maintenance care.

 

There are three main components in stud welding systems that require regular maintenance or replacement of parts depending on age and condition:

 

  • Stud gun: Stud welding guns are the most important components to generating a strong weld connection. The stud gun tip holds the stud in place and provides a connection to the surface for the arc to generate enough heat for a weld. Without maintenance, buildup and heat damage to the mechanics of the gun can cause weakened or messy welds. It’s typically recommended that technicians using a stud gun 500,000 times per year or more should clean and inspect the gun condition four times annually. Any use less than 250,000 yearly should perform maintenance twice annually.
  • Cabling: The four main cabling components of a stud weld system carry power from the source to the gun. This includes the incoming power cable, the weld cable carrying power to the welding gun, the ground cable carrying the current back to the power source, and the control cable that triggers and lifts power signals from the source. These cables need visual inspections to determine their safety and reliability. Damaged cabling or insulation can be fatal without regular maintenance.
  • Power source: Because welding is an electromechanical process, power source controls are necessary components to maintain. This primarily includes knobs, switches, fans, and contactors. While these don’t need rigorous maintenance, they can be damaged over time due to dirt buildup or heat exposure. This is often the case for systems continually using cooling fans that draw in a higher level of dust. Routine checkups will easily prevent any issues.

 

With minimal maintenance, most stud weld fastening systems have an effective lifespan of 20 years or more. If you’re using stud welding tools and need supplies or technical support, NFS has all the components, accessories, and knowledge you need to get the job done. Contact us at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online to learn more about our fastening systems today.

 

 

Stud Welding and Other Construction During Statewide Lockdowns

Posted on by norfas by norfas

All across the U.S., more and more states are initiating a statewide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. These shutdowns are limiting public operations to essential personnel like medical professionals, food suppliers, pharmacies, and gas stations.

 

The fact that construction workers and construction companies are considered to be essential operators during this time has been in some debate. While some construction operations such as interior decoration, unnecessary remodeling, and other cosmetic building are not exactly essential, there are many reasons why critical construction projects should continue during a lockdown.

 

If you are working on an essential project that integrates stud welding into the operations, you can count on Northland Fastening Systems for all your supply needs. We offer everything necessary to any stud welding project including tools for rent or purchase, studs in a wide range of dimensions, accessories, and technical support services.

 

There are many reasons why construction could be considered an essential service during times of crisis. The stud welding operations our customers use to build goes into the production of many much-needed structures, tools, components, and full assemblies. Some of what is constructed during this time might be what saves hundreds of lives. It may be a product that increases patients’ comfort, provides shelter for those in need, or plays a role in getting quarantined communities the supplies they need.

 

There are many other circumstances when stud welding and other construction operations are essential. Even during a lockdown, state governments recognize that construction services must still be available. To learn more about what we can do to help as a stud welding provider, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770, or request a quote online to get started with us today.

Revisiting Basic Terminology for Stud Welding Supplies

Posted on by norfas by norfas

If you’re just getting into the stud welding world, there may be some terms thrown around that you’re unfamiliar with. When you break down each type of stud welding and the supplies and tools used, there are some nuances that will arise. Whether you’re just starting out or if you’ve been in the stud welding game for years, you can find all your stud welding supplies and technical support with Northland Fastening Systems.

 

The basic terminology of stud welding can be broken into two categories of drawn arc stud welding and capacitor discharge (CD) stud welding. Within these two types of stud welding, there are variations to operations and specialized tools that can be used to get many effects.

 

Drawn Arc Stud Welding

 

  1. Drawn arc: These welding tools use both flux and a ceramic ferrule. The flux creates a clean weld zone as the tip of the gun makes contact with the surface material, and the ceramic ferrule contains the molten weld point to prevent splatter. Drawn arc welds using flux and a ferrule create the strongest stud bond.
  2. Gas arc: Gas arc welding replaces a ceramic ferrule with inert gas, and it typically does not use a flux to prepare the surface (though some gas arc weld processes still use a flux ball). Gas arcs are used commonly in automated welding operations where precision and speed limit the need for flux. This provides a quick, cost effective weld that saves labor because it does not require chipping off a ferrule when the weld is completed.
  3. Short arc: For operations using high currents and requiring fast weld times, short arc welding can be a reliable process. Short arc welds can tend to be weaker or more porous because they do not use flux or ferrule, but in the right application, they can be key.

 

CD Stud Welding

 

  1. Contact CD welding: This process places the tip of the stud against the weld surface while the weld occurs. The current vaporizes the tip of the stud and an arc is created between the stud and surface. This arc heats both stud and surface metals, and the molten components are connected.
  2. Gap CD welding: Gap welding is a faster process than contact welding. The tip of the stud is poised above the surface as the arc is formed and then pressed against the surface as both become molten.

 

If you are just starting out in the stud welding industry, you can use these terms as a base reference for areas you want to study or try as you learn and become a more professional welder. To learn more about the comprehensive stud welding supplies we provide, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.