Month: August 2021

3 Types of Stud Welding Used as Fastening Systems

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Stud welding is a relatively simple manufacturing operation used to attach pins, studs, bar anchors, shear connectors, insulator caps, and many other kinds of fastening systems. It can be used in lightweight applications like the mark-free connectors in electrical enclosures, and in heavier-duty building, like composite constructions for road and railway bridges. For manufacturers utilizing studs in their production process, Northland Fastening Systems offers a comprehensive range of supplies and tools for short cycle, capacitor discharge (CD), and drawn arc stud welding operations. We supply studs in a complete range of dimensions with custom options available, and we provide tools for rent or purchase. For any of the three main stud fastening systems, NFS technicians have the expertise to advise and supply all kinds of customers.

The three main types of stud fastening systems are short cycle, drawn arc, and capacitor discharge.

  1. Drawn arc: With drawn arc welding, the use of a ceramic ferrule to contain the molten metals at the tip of the stud and a flux that regulates specific heat point are important. A triggered gun lifts the stud to an exact height while an arc is generated between the base of the stud and the welding surface. Both are melted and the gun presses the stud tip into the pool on the surface material. This welding operation is used in applications with wide-diameter studs in large-scale construction.
  2. Capacitor discharge: In this process, capacitors on a weld tool are charged to a specific setting. The triggered gun tip discharges that stored electricity and generates heat at the ignition tip on the stud. The heated stud and welding surface are melted and pressured together to create a fusion. CD stud welding is best for smaller stud dimensions that won’t require serious load bearing. It’s an important operation for clean, rapid stud attachment in many applications.
  3. Short cycle: This welding operation is similar to drawn arc stud attachment. However, short cycle welding is faster than drawn arc, finishing a weld in 20-30 milliseconds. The arc generation is almost the same process as drawn arc welding, but short cycle is better suited to smaller-diameter studs that are less than ½” in length. Short cycle welding is used often with thin sheet metal attachments in the automotive and other industrial operations. Like CD stud welding, short cycle leaves a mark-free finish on the back of the welding surface.

NFS is a long-time provider for many types of customers working in the stud welding industry. We partner with small machine shops, factories, and international manufacturers utilizing drawn arc, capacitor discharge, and short cycle welding operations in their production line.

If you’re in need of any tools, studs, accessories, or guidance in your stud welding processes, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 to get started with us today. Request a quote online to learn more about our stud weld fastening systems supplies.

Setting Up CD Weld Studs and the Benefits of CD Welding

Posted on by norfas by norfas

From production uses like insulation fasteners to heavy-duty composite construction, stud welding is relied on for many purposes. If you’re working with stud welding in any capacity, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) has the tools for you. We provide stud welding supplies, including tools for rent or purchase, studs in all dimensions with custom options available, and complete welding accessories. In addition to a comprehensive supply of welding equipment, NFS technicians offer expert advice on all stud welding processes, including the use and setup of CD weld studs for effective and quality results.

CD (capacitor discharge) stud welding is a manufacturing technique that’s useful for some of the smaller dimension pins and studs, like the stainless steel studs used in food grade, lightweight welding, for example. Other common applications of CD weld studs are for insulation fasteners, electrical enclosures, internal electronics, and on-board aerospace systems.

Utilizing CD stud welding operations in the appropriate application is highly beneficial for many reasons. Not only does CD welding create a powerful connection point with no mark-through on the opposite side of the weld surface, it’s a rapid process that conserves energy, improves efficiency, and produces a clean finish when done correctly.

Understanding how to set up CD weld studs for the full welding process is critical for performing an effective operation. A CD stud welding process occurs in five basic steps:

  1. Contact of stud tip to weld surface
  2. Ignition of weld tool
  3. “Placement” or pressuring of stud into surface material
  4. Fusion of stud into surface material while both metal are molten from ignition
  5. Cooling of both materials to complete the weld connection

Setup can vary depending on the type of tool you’re using, implementation of different collets, stud dimensions, weld surface material, and electrical specifications. In general, the setup process takes the following steps, and in most cases, will get you ready to weld:

  1. Set up the assembly of “B” collet and “B” stop accessories by loosening the screws at the tip of the gun shaft to allow the installation of these parts.
  2. Ensure the collet is the correct size for stud diameter; then install a correctly paired length of stop into the collet.
  3. The collet and stop should seat correctly into the gun (until it stops completely on insert).
  4. Insert the stud into the collet until it stops fully. The stud should extend past the end of the collet and be held tightly in the gun during welding.
  5. Do not let the stud tip ever come into contact with the collet when the weld is ignited.
  6. Place the leg and foot assembly into the gun to allow ⅛” of the stud protruding past the foot.
  7. Tighten set screws and ensure the area around the weld point and your welding space is clear.

To learn more about this basic process of preparing CD weld studs and other stud welding operations, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

Accessories for the Stud Welding Process

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Stud welding is a complex process in many ways, but simple in others. The operation of a stud weld itself is a strong but straightforward connection point that fuses the metal of the stud into the metal of the base material. However, the actual process takes a deep understanding of arc generation, materials, dimensions, and the tools involved. In order to perform an accurate weld, you need the background knowledge and the right tools for the job. At Northland Fastening Systems, we provide the tools, studs, and accessories necessary for drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle processes. When it comes to the accessories important to any stud welding process, our team of expert technicians can help you find exactly what you need.

Since 1987, we’ve supported and worked to continually improve the stud welding industry. One aspect of stud welding that is often overlooked is the use of accessories in the CD and drawn arc process. These accessories are completely necessary for an effective end result, but they can be taken for granted sometimes.

For the drawn arc and CD stud welding process, NFS accessories include the following.

Drawn Arc Accessories:

CD Accessories:

NFS supplies a broad range of stud accessories that pair perfectly with industry-standard studs and welding tools. To learn more about the supplies that we provide for the drawn arc, CD, and short cycle stud welding process, contact Northland Fastening Systems today at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.