September 2023 | Northland Fastening Systems

Drawn Arc Stud Welding Using a Standard Stud Gun

Posted on September 25, 2023October 9, 2023 by norfas by norfas

Many factors go into completing a high-quality stud welding operation. Attention must be paid to the surface preparation, stud type, materials, local contaminants, and the welding gun setup. Each welding scenario has slight differences in process, but most follow the same basic rules. Technicians who learn the process of setting up a gun, calibrating power correctly, and attaching a stud with the correct time and penetration will be able to successfully perform most types of stud welding operations, including drawn arc and capacitor discharge (CD). No matter what kind of stud welding you’re working with, you can find the supplies and technical support you need at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). We offer a complete range of tools, studs, and accessories for CD, short cycle, and drawn arc stud welding.

Drawn Arc Stud Welding

When it comes to setting up a handheld gun for drawn arc stud welding, there may be some differences between certain tools, but for the most part, the assembly will follow these steps.

Select the correct chuck adapter.
Screw adapter into gun.
Seat arc chuck into adapter—ensure it is tightly placed.
Select the correct arc foot size, depending on the stud diameter being used.
1. Small Foot for studs with a ⅛” to ½” diameter
2. Medium Foot for studs with a ⅝” to ¾” diameter
3. Large Foot for studs with a ⅞” to 1″ diameter
Select the correct arc foot type, depending on the stud length being used.
1. Closed Foot for studs 2″ or shorter
2. Split Foot for studs longer than 2″
Screw arc legs into the foot with the recess facing outward. Screws should be loose until final adjustments are made.
Insert the assembled foot system into the gun with chuck protruding farther than the arc foot.
Insert the stud into the arc chuck.
Select the correct ferrule grip, depending on the stud length being used.
1. Closed Ferrule Grip for studs 2″ or shorter
2. Split Ferrule Grip for studs longer than 2″
Insert the ferrule grip over the stud so it meets the arc foot.
Tighten set screws.
Adjust foot assembly to ensure the stud is in the center of the ferrule grip.
Tighten leg screws.
Place the ferrule at the end of the stud.
Adjust leg screws for plunge, depending on the stud diameter being used.
Re-tighten leg screws when plunge is accurate.
Stud gun is ready for a weld.
Double check the power supply, grounding clamp, and surface condition before performing the weld.

Summary

The correct setup of a stud gun for any job is a critical part of the welding cycle. To learn more about drawn arc stud welding and our supplies, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online today.

How to Choose the Correct Cable for Your Stud Welding Equipment

Posted on September 18, 2023September 1, 2023 by norfas by norfas

Stud welding offers several advantages to manufacturers across different industries. Not only is it a powerful fastening system that can connect studs to a surface with clean, quick results, but stud welding also has many welding units designed for portability. These units can be moved throughout a work site with ease using cables reaching even beyond 200 ft. The majority of handheld stud welding tools can be used as portable systems, but units like the HBS IT 2002 for arc welding and the TRUWELD ACE-P100 for capacitor discharge (CD) pins are specifically designed to be used on work sites where multiple locations require weld fastening operations. These tools and others often work with long cables that need their own management systems to ensure electrical safety and reduce trip hazards. If you’re working with portable units on multiple job sites, you can find all the supplies you need at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). We offer a comprehensive selection of stud welding equipment, including tools for rent or purchase, studs for drawn arc and CD operations, welding accessories, and our own expertise.

Cables for Stud Welding Equipment

Whether you’re working on an active job site with a portable unit or in-house facilities with permanent systems, choosing the correct type of cable that meets a range of specifications is key. Without the correct welding cable, tools are, at best, operating at poor capacities, and at worst, posing a risk to worker safety.

Specifications for Stud Welding Equipment

There are several technical specifications to take into account when choosing the correct cable for your stud welding equipment. Basics include:

Length: On a job site or in your routine facility layout, your cable needs to be long enough to reach a weld point without stretching. This often means you’ll need to account for extra length as you move around a space to reach multiple weld points on a part. Each welding cable will need to be long enough to reach the weld point, safely connect to the unit for power supply, and accurately ground the system.
Gauge: Welding cable is available in a range of gauges. The thinner and the longer the cable is, the lower the available amperage. Longer cables reaching several hundreds of feet will need to be thicker in gauge to account for lost power supply.
Power: With length and gauge taken into account, you should make sure you are operating at the right ampacity. Cables will each have specific amp levels they can safely handle. Operating with the wrong power supply can damage a welding unit, making it hazardous to workers.
Insulation: There are several materials welding cables may be insulated with. Choosing the right insulation depends on your work site conditions. For example, neoprene (synthetic rubber) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer or monomer) insulation is flexible and resistant to weather, but they should not be used when gas and petroleum based liquids are exposed. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), on the other hand, is stiffer but more resistant to tearing or cuts.

Summary

If you’re working with any types of stud welding equipment, including various cables, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online for more information today.

Accident Prevention Guidelines for Construction Welding

Posted on September 11, 2023September 1, 2023 by norfas by norfas

On every work site, there are multiple factors laborers and managers need to actively address to ensure everyone’s safety. Industrial work creates hazardous situations involving powerful tools, extreme temperatures, tall heights, toxic materials, and more. All these issues have safety precautions and operational guidelines put in place to prevent worker fatigue, injury, or fatality. Compared to some other manufacturing operations, stud welding can be a very safe production process. However, without the appropriate accident prevention measures or an understanding of the equipment, it can become dangerous, and in some cases, even deadly. Working with high-quality equipment on construction welding projects paired with adhering to safety systems will help you and your team avoid welding-related harm. At Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), we provide a comprehensive range of quality supplies, including tools for rent and purchase, drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle welding studs, welding accessories, tool repair services, and the expertise of our own technicians.

Construction Welding

Like any type of fabrication process, construction welding has a basic checklist for maintaining safe working conditions. These standards include the use of certain precautions and attention to areas of concern including:

Grounding for Construction Welding

Welding machines of all types, not just construction stud welding, require proper grounding for electrical current to be safe. Stud welders must be in contact with the earth through a unit grounder or by the use of a grounding clamp when performing thru-deck welding.

Live wires

Welding technicians and nearby workers should never interact with live wires without proper protective gear. Welding should also never be performed with pooling water in the area. Live electrical parts and live wires that need attention should be handled with the correct safety gear.

Cables Used in Construction Welding

Especially on work sites where technicians are moving welding units over long distances, cable management is a major safety concern. Cables should not be used if damaged or stretched, placed in areas where they will be exposed to trucks and other heavy traffic, or hung to hold their full weight at a single point.

Spatter in Construction Welding

While stud welding has minimal spatter when done correctly, some occasions might result in wider spatter if a tool has an inaccurate calibration. Technicians should be aware of increases in spatter and adjust to prevent them from affecting safety.

Flammables

Gas cylinders pose explosion and fire risks, and the heat and sparks that occur during a weld could pose additional fire hazards to other nearby flammable materials. Solvents, fiberglass, paper, and other highly flammable materials should be removed from the welding work area.

Ventilation

Workers’ safety is compromised by fumes generated in the welding process if workers do not have proper ventilation. Welding outdoors offers enough ventilation in most cases, but indoor work must have supplemental ventilation, especially when welding through paint and other surface coatings.

Summary

If these basic safety guidelines are followed at every construction welding site, workers are protected and quality results can continue on your job site. For more information about supplies and services, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online today.