Month: January 2021

Selecting the Right Steel for the Insulation Fastener Stud Welding Process

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Stud welding is used so prolifically across widely different industries that it often pops up in unexpected applications. Not only is stud welding used extensively in the automotive and construction industries, it’s also effective in building food-grade equipment, electrical enclosures, and even insulation and roofing. No matter how you are utilizing stud welding, you can find the supplies you need at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). We provide a comprehensive range of welding studs for drawn arc, CD, and short cycle welding with additional options for custom dimensions. NFS also offers welding tools for rent or purchase and stud welding accessories. Our team of expert technicians has the training and skills to help you get whatever tools you need to complete your stud welding process.

 

Stud welding is a key operation for composite construction, including in building insulation and roofing. When it comes to welding insulation fasteners and roofing components, it’s important to select the right type of stainless steel for the stud welding process you’re working with.

 

All materials used in welding insulation fasteners must meet the standard guidelines of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Welding Society (AWS). Within these standards, stainless steel grades typically approved are 300s in non-magnetic states with basic annealing. This includes 302, 304, 305, 309, 310, and 316. While 304 (also listed as 18/8) and 305 are the most commonly used in typical insulation fastening and roofing component welding, other stainless steel grades in the 300s are beneficial in their own way for certain applications.

 

Steels in the L series, like 316L, are often the most effective choices when resistance to corrosion is critical. In high heat applications, SS series like 320SS and 330SS are most effective, but for extreme temperatures and refractory applications, super alloys like Inconel 601 are more effective than stainless steels. Stainless steel temperature ranges for the insulation fastener stud welding process vary between 1,400ºF and 2,000ºF, while Inconel is used in applications around 2,200ºF. Steel grades 302, 304, and 305 are best at 1,400ºF applications, and 316 is best at 1,700ºF, 310 is best at 1,850ºF, and 330 is best at 2,000ºF.

 

No matter what insulation fastener and roof component stud welding process you’re utilizing, choosing the right stainless steel or other material is a requirement. Plan ahead your production schedule with attainability and lead time of acquiring different steels in mind. While many steel types are easy to source, some need to be special ordered with longer lead times.

 

To learn more about choosing the right type of metals for your specific stud welding process and the products we have available, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. You can request a quote online to get started with us today.

Spot Welding vs. The Stud Welding Process

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Welding is one of the older manufacturing operations still used extensively throughout industries today, with the first types of forge welding dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages in the Middle East and Europe. Today’s modern welding techniques vary greatly in their processes and results. Stud welding, for example, is a much different process than resistance welding, but each type of welding has its place in the manufacturing world.

 

When it comes to stud welding, industries from shipbuilding to food-grade equipment fabrication all value its benefits and capabilities. Not only does stud welding create a connection point stronger that the stud itself, it’s also a rapid fastening system with clean results.

 

No matter what industry you work in, you can count on Northland Fastening Systems to provide a complete supply of tools, studs, accessories, and everything else you might need for the stud welding process.

 

While stud welding is sometimes confused for spot welding, they are two very different operations. Spot welding actually falls into the category of resistance welding or resistance spot welding (RSW), whereas stud welding is an arc welding operation.

 

Spot Welding

Resistance spot welding uses heat to join metals together. That heat is generated by resistance to electrical current. The heat brings the two pieces of metal being joined together to a range where they can be connected with high-pressure systems. The metals technically never melt to a molten state during a spot-welding process. Because of this, spot welding is more like a forging process. The metals do not intermix in the same way they do during a stud welding operation. Spot welding has limited uses because it works well with few materials. Primarily, spot welding is used with low-carbon steel, but it can be used to form brittle connections with high-carbon steel and aluminum alloys.

 

Stud Welding

Stud welding uses a drawn arc or capacitor discharge (CD) arc to generate heat at the connection point. The metals used are heated to a molten state and the metal molecules fuse together to form a strong connection. Whether you’re working with drawn arc, CD, or short cycle stud welding, the high heat involved can be used to weld on a much broader range of surfaces than spot welding. Stud welding also doesn’t require the high-pressure equipment that spot welding does and can be used even when access to the reverse side of the base material cannot be accessed.

 

Overall, the stud welding process is a more flexible, efficient, and powerful choice for many production floors. To learn more about the capabilities of stud welding, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770, or request a quote online to get started with us today.

Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Right Welding Equipment

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Whether you’re an experienced stud welder or just getting into the different types of stud welding that are each highly useful in its own way, selecting the right welding equipment can be difficult. Each welding unit and welding gun has its own set of exacting specifications, including power requirements, calibration ranges, material requirements, and much more. At Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), we offer a comprehensive range of stud welding equipment and other stud welding supplies, including tools for rent and purchase, studs in a broad range of dimensions, custom stud options available, and stud welding accessories. In addition to our extensive collection of stud welding supplies, our welding technicians offer their own expertise in the industry. Our team of knowledgeable stud welding technicians work with customers to help them select the right welding equipment so they can get the job done efficiently.

 

Choosing the right stud welding equipment can be difficult because there are many factors to take into account. The most important considerations before choosing a stud welding unit or gun include the following:

 

  1. Power source: Knowing your power source before selecting any welding equipment is key. Not only is it important to know whether your power source will be capable of providing enough welding power, some stud welding equipment requires a transformer or inverter, while others will need a capacitor discharge source.

 

  1. Arc generation: Drawn arc, capacitor discharge, and short cycle welding all use a different type of arc. Because of this, you need to understand how your welding arc will be generated and determine if your energy source will be capable of providing the necessary direct current.

 

  1. Weld time: For any production job, one goal is to limit downtime and work with the greatest efficiency possible. Many stud welders will use rapid welding operations to their advantage and build a schedule around how many welds per minute are possible. Not only do welds per minute vary between types of stud welding operations, they also vary between machines. Knowing the weld times you’ll need to meet production schedule requirements is a significant factor that will guide your selection.

 

  1. Weld abilities: Finally, one of the most important factors to consider when choosing welding equipment is what abilities that equipment has. Do you need a tool to perform CD welding or drawn arc welding? Are you working with steel or aluminum? What kind of surfaces are you welding on? What size studs will you be working with? All of these questions determine the capabilities of your welding equipment and should guide your decision when selecting which tool to work with.

 

To learn more about welding equipment specifications and which tool is right for you, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online today.