Month: February 2021

Resistance-Welded vs. Arc-Welded Fastening Systems

Posted on by norfas by norfas

At Northland Fastening Systems, we provide a comprehensive supply of stud welding supplies, from tools for rent or purchase to studs in a complete range of dimensions with custom sizes available. Whether you need tools, studs, and accessories for drawn arc, CD, or short cycle stud welding, NFS has the products and the expertise of our stud welding technicians to help you get the job done.

 

In the industrial world, types of stud welding are typically grouped into a manufacturing category different from other welding operations. Other common welding types, such as resistance welding, can be used as fastening systems, but stud welding is generally considered the most effective method for installing fasteners and studs. Due to its unique ability to generate a connection point stronger than the fastener itself, stud welding is usually chosen over other fastening systems when manufacturing assemblies of any size that require studs, bars, anchors, and other fasteners.

 

While stud welding is the primary choice for fastening systems on the production floor or jobsite, resistance welding can sometimes have its uses when installing various fasteners.

 

Arc-Welded Fasteners

Stud welding connection points are created using an electrical arc generating enough heat at the base of the stud/fastener to put both stud tip and surface material into a molten state. In the stud welding process, the arc creates a true fusion of the two metals. Stud welding types include drawn arc, capacitor discharge, and short cycle. Arc-welded fasteners can be installed without leaving marks on the opposite side of the base material. They can also be rapidly installed, with some automated machines performing up to 60 welds per minute. Drawn arc welding can be done on angled or curved surfaces, and CD welding can be used to install fasteners on surfaces as thin as 0.016” for steel and 0.04” for aluminum without causing warping or discoloration. Stud welded fasteners are also leak-proof and pressure-tight.

 

Resistance-Welded Fasteners

Resistance welding includes spot and projection welding. These processes are used to install permanent fasteners with internal or external threading. To achieve an effective weld, both fastener and surface must be fit for resistance welding, which lessens the range of scenarios where resistance welding would be useful as fastening systems. Parts, equipment, and transportation costs of using resistance welding for fasteners are typically much higher than those of stud welding, so the recommended production volume to justify costs is over 1,000.

 

Overall, using arc/stud welding is lower cost, faster, and more effective than resistance welding for installing fasteners. To learn more about fastening systems and our stud welding supplies and services, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.

Quality Stud Welder Highlight: MFI Sureshot for CD Stud Welding

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Northland Fastening Systems is a global provider of high-quality stud welding supplies including stud welding tools for rent or purchase, a comprehensive range of welding studs, welding accessories, and the expertise of our own stud welding technicians.

 

In addition to a broad range of threaded and non-threaded studs for drawn arc and CD stud welding, insulation fasteners, CD pins, bar anchors, shear connectors, and anchor studs available in multiple materials and dimensions, we also have options for custom stud specifications. Our selection of tools available for rent or purchase also has a broad range of options. For those on a permanent production floor, we have multiple fully-automated fastening systems, but we also have lightweight, portable tools for welders in the field, as well as everything in between. This welding tool highlight covers a popular unit for rapid CD stud welding with relatively smaller studs that form powerful connections with a welding surface.

 

Thanks to its compact carrying case and weighing a total of only 18 lbs., the MFI Sureshot is ideal for welders working on a jobsite where multiple locations require welding operations. Easily portable, the MFI Sureshot allows welders to perform quick CD stud welding operations that are clean with little spatter and no marks on the opposite side of the weld surface.

 

MFI Sureshot Specifications

 

  1. Electrical: The MFI Sureshot operates with 110/220 VAC, 15/7.5 Amp, and 50/60Hz incoming and 35-160 VDC, 3,000-9,000 A, and direct current outgoing, with 100,000 uF capacitance.
  2. Welding range: This CD stud welding unit has a pin and stud range of 14 gauge through a 5/16” diameter at the weld base. The welding operation is effective with mild and stainless steels as well as aluminum. It operates quickly for a small unit with 24 welds per minute in the highest voltage. Each charge between welds is less than 3 seconds.
  3. Operation details: The MFI Sureshot unit features three indicator lights and a resettable breaker with additional safety shutdowns. The system is continually cooled with a thermal fan, and the 7-segment digital display offers welders direct control with ease.
  4. Welding gun: The welding gun weighs only 1.6 lbs. for long-term use without exhaustion. The gun is made from high strength, impact resistance polycarbonate. Gun dimensions are 4 ⅞” L x 2” W x 5 ¾” H.
  5. Cables: The MFI Sureshot comes with a standard set of #4 grounding cables and gun cables. The grounding cable reaches up to 15 ft and the weld cables reach up to 20 ft from the gun, allowing welders a broad range of motion around obstacles in the field.

 

The MFI Sureshot is one of many welding tools we have in our collection. To find out more about this CD stud welding tool and many others, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.

International Standards for the Stud Welding Process

Posted on by norfas by norfas

All manufacturing industries follow a set of international standards outlined through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in addition to various requirements and certifications unique within any given industry. Overall, there are more than 18,500 ISO standards and around 1,000 new published annually. Despite the vast number of ISO certifications, some industries are relatively specific enough to only require a few ISOs to follow the continually updated editions.

 

When it comes to stud welding, ISO 13918 standards cover the majority of common arc procedures including drawn arc, CD, and short cycle stud welding. For all these types of the stud welding process, Northland Fastening Systems provides a comprehensive range of supplies meeting ISO 13918 standards. Our supplies for the stud welding process include welding studs in various dimensions with custom options available, welding tools for rent or purchase, stud welding accessories, and the expertise of our own staff of stud welding technicians.

 

One current standard for the stud welding industry is ISO 13918:2017. In addition to stud welding, this ISO can be generally applied in most metal working fields, but those working with the stud welding process will find the specifics most useful to their production floor.

 

ISO 13918:2008 covers requirements for arc welding studs, dimensions, materials, and mechanics, including:

 

  • unthreaded studs
  • partially-threaded studs
  • fully-threaded studs
  • virtually fully-threaded studs
  • flanged and threaded studs
  • threaded and reduced shaft studs
  • internally-threaded studs
  • insulation fasteners
  • shear connectors
  • welding pins
  • the use of ceramic ferrules

 

The standards and mechanical guidelines that ISO 13918 provides offer in-depth information that not only helps welders improve the stud welding process and fabricate better quality products, but also helps manufacturers better understand the application of stud welding in their own industries and play a role in supporting the continued growth of universal standards.

 

As a supplier for hardware and tools used in a range of stud welding processes, we follow our own set of ISO standards at Northland Fastening Systems. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified as an industrial supplier. While ISO 9001 is a relatively generic set of standards, following those requirements helps us maintain best practices and support our customers with quality products and advice. By following ISO 9001 standards, we continue to show our capabilities in providing the stud welding industry with necessary products that meet regulations, and we work as a customer-focused company that aims to improve consumer satisfaction while adhering to internationally-accepted requirements. NFS uses the regulations that ISO 9001 provides as a quality management system to continue offering our customers the best products and services for drawn arc, CD, and short cycle welding.

 

To learn more about the products we provide for the stud welding process and ISO certifications, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.