Month: October 2020

Creating Seismic Ties and Enclosures with Stud Weld Fastening Systems

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Northland Fastening Systems provides a complete range of tools, studs, and accessories used in a broad variety of stud welding applications. From food-grade welding to large-scale construction, different types of stud welding are used across many industries.

 

For numerous engineering purposes, stud welding is a critical tool for incorporating seismic fastening systems into a construction. From structures as small as electrical enclosures to as large as suspension bridges, stud welding is a key component in forming reliable designs that can hold up to movements caused by shifting ground and weather patterns.

 

If you’re working on a project that requires the use of stud welding as powerful fastening systems, Northland Fastening Systems has tools for rent or purchase, welding studs in a comprehensive range of dimensions, stud welding accessories, and the expertise of our skilled technicians.

 

Seismic ties and seismic grade enclosures are highly critical for strong, stable engineering with long-term reliability. The natural shifting of tectonic plates causes micro to macro movements on the earth’s surface, and gradual erosion creates moving topsoil and runoff. In addition to these ground movements, structures also face weather patterns that can include severe winds and temperature changes. These elements create conditions that often require seismic ties and other support systems to be built into a structure using stud weld fastening systems.

 

Seismic Ties: Any structure in an area with seismic activity needs seismic ties and other support systems to maintain stability. In addition to structural ties, straps, guy-wires, rods, and eye bars, many other seismic design aspects are installed with stud welding operations. These seismic ties and other components allow structures more flexibility in addition to strengthening the stability of inflexible building parts. Because of this, seismic components engineered into a structure and installed with stud welding techniques are critical for integrity in the face of seismic activity and severe weather.

 

Seismic Enclosures: Stud welding is critical in fabricating clean, reliable electrical enclosures. Because electrical enclosures are widespread in many industrial, commercial, and residential settings, it’s important they meet safety standards and can hold up against any elements they’ll be exposed to. For many areas of the U.S. this means electrical enclosures must be seismic rated. Seismic rated electrical enclosures must meet the following requirements:

 

  • Full welding in addition to stud welded fastening points is necessary for any seismic enclosure.
  • Heavy-duty enclosure doors are also required in place of the typical single latch door. Powerful stud welding tools can fasten heavy-duty doors with three latches and high-quality hinges that hold up to seismic resonance.
  • Seismic grade mounting hardware should be installed at the enclosure location. If possible, enclosures should be welded to their mount point for long-term strength through repeated seismic exposure.

 

To learn more about how stud welding supports seismic grade fastening systems, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770, or Request a quote online to get started with us today.

Making Intermodal and Specialty Freight Containers with Food Grade Welding

Posted on by norfas by norfas

To support global demand for food products from pantry staples to specialty and exotic goods, the food grade transport and storage industry is a highly evolved system. Advanced storage systems for transportation, short-term holding, and long-term climate-controlled storage are utilized for all kinds of food products and other perishables, such as pharmaceuticals. Containers for the food industry play a huge role in the transportation and storage of goods, and because of this, highly specialized containers have been developed over the years. Shipping and storing containers made from steel, aluminum, and other metals are frequently manufactured using stud welding operations. If you are fabricating intermodal freight units and other containers for the food industry, you can find everything you need for food grade stud welding processes at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). We provide stud welding tools for rent or purchase, welding studs in a comprehensive range of dimensions, customizable options for studs, and stud welding accessories as well as the expertise of our own welding technicians.

 

There have been many designs for food grade shipping and storage containers over the years, but intermodal freight containers helped to standardize sizing and structure to enable better bulk transit and storing. Intermodal freight containers as large as 40 feet long are a commonly used storage option for many goods, including packaged food products. Using food grade stud welding to build these units helps manufacturers meet food safety standards, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations.

 

In addition to standardized intermodal units, there have been many specialty containers fabricated using food grade stud welding as a key to food safety. Containers for food grade liquids such as oils, dairy products, and others are repeatedly exposed directly to the food goods. Because of this exposure, it’s critical that these containers can be completely sanitized regularly and protected from corrosion. Any compromise of the container will damage food products and pose health issues.

 

Food grade stud welding is a solution for many manufacturers producing food storage and transport containers. Not only does food grade stud welding create a smooth, mark-free surface without craggy areas that can collect bacteria, it is also an operation that can use antibacterial metals like stainless steel. Containers made with stud welding are easily sanitized between uses, and the metals used will hold up to strong chemical disinfectants. Weld points and materials used will also withstand exposure to acidic or alkaline food products without harming the composition, flavor, or integrity of the goods.

 

To learn more about the details food grade stud welding and the tools used in those operations, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. You can also request a quote online to get started with us today.

Catering Equipment Made with CD Stud Welding

Posted on by norfas by norfas

At Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), we offer quality stud welding supplies to a broad range of customers. From welding studs to stud welding tools for various types of welding processes, our expert technicians can help you get what you need to finish a project. Whether you’re working with drawn arc welding methods or capacitor discharge (CD) welding processes, NFS has a comprehensive selection of tools for rent or purchase, welding studs in many dimensions, custom stud options, and welding accessories that our customers working in many industries need. One industry in which CD stud welding, in particular, is key is the food equipment industry. Food grade welding is a highly specialized process that requires training and the right set of tools.

 

Within the food industry, the catering profession requires its own set of tools and equipment designed to transport, store, and serve food safely and without compromising quality. Because CD stud welding is a rapid, efficient, and extremely clean operation, it’s an ideal tool for manufacturing a number of different types of catering equipment. For example:

 

  1. Transportation equipment:
    1. Outdoor and portable coolers
    2. Insulated tray carriers
    3. Warming trays
    4. Totes and other nonheated/cooled carriers
    5. Storage boxes
    6. Large-scale transportation ware, such as castored shelving units
  2. Food preparation equipment:
    1. Offsite pre-event food prep equipment like ovens, stoves, and other standard commercial kitchen appliances
    2. Chef station appliances for onsite cooking, such as hot plates and induction burners
    3. Portable grills
    4. Temperature-controlled holding cabinets
    5. Dry holding cabinets
    6. Onsite food transportation units for moving food during an event
  3. Serving equipment:
    1. Portable trays and shelves
    2. Chafers
    3. Utensils
    4. Food pans
    5. Heated or cooled trays
    6. Ice containers
    7. Hot and cold beverage dispensing equipment
    8. Portable bars
    9. Coffee stations
  4. Sanitation equipment:
    1. Hand washing stations
    2. Dish washing stations
    3. Garbage cans and other food waste processing equipment
    4. Transportation shelves and tools for dirty dishes
    5. Portable sink systems for events with no water hookup
  5. Energy supplies:
    1. Many catered events don’t have energy sources at the location, and caterers often need to bring generators and other portable power supplies along with them.
    2. Battery powered equipment is also a key part of catering energy supplies.

 

Catering equipment is just one small part of the food grade stud welding industry. CD stud welding is highly conducive to food grade equipment because of its ability to eliminate marking on the opposite side of the weld. This alone limits problem areas where bacteria and germs can collect. Food grade welding with CD stud welding tools help our customers fabricate streamlined stainless steel products that can be easily sanitized.

 

Whether you’re manufacturing catering equipment or equipment for other areas of the food industry, NFS has the CD stud welding supplies you need. Contact us at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online to get started with us today.