When performed with accurate calibration on a correctly prepared surface, stud welding is one of the strongest fastening systems available to manufacturers. A finished stud weld will be stronger than the stud and the surface material put together, which means the connection will never fail before the other components. This makes it a safer and more reliable system for fasteners, composite building, and more. If you’re working with drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), or short cycle stud welding operations, Northland Fastening Systems is your one-stop-shop for supplies, repair services, and advice. We offer tools for rent or purchase, welding studs in a complete range of dimensions, custom stud sizing and material options, welding accessories, a repair and maintenance service program, and the guidance of our own knowledgeable welding technicians.
Tips and Advice for Proper Stud Welding
Stud welding can be a rapid, easy operation, but there are many steps that need to be taken to prepare a weld surface, tool, and stud. NFS technicians can always offer in-depth advice to customers about their tools, materials, stud sizes, and more, but there are many tips and tricks that can answer frequently asked questions and generally get you started. These following tips for fastening systems are standards almost all welders should follow for quality results:
- Ensure you have adequate power for your tool
- Power sources should be consistent to prevent heat fluctuations
- Ground connections should be attached to a clean section of the welding surface
- Cables should be well-maintained and long enough to reach weld sites safely, but still as short as possible to prevent tripping and other incidents
- Contaminants like rust, paint, moisture, dirt, and air gaps will affect weld quality
- Successful welds require an exact relationship between lift, plunge, time, and current
- Ceramic ferrules used in drawn arc stud welding must be dry
- Water/ice should be removed from the top flanges of studs before welding
- Temperatures of welding materials should be above 0º F
- Studs and welding surfaces should be rust-free
- Ensure you are holding the welding gun at the correct angle while firmly maintaining the tip against the weld surface
- When you pull the gun trigger, keep your hands steady and still during the weld
- Always learn your tool and refer to its instruction manual before any welding project for recommended current calibration and welding times
- Follow recommended maintenance procedures for your welding guns, cables, and other tool components
- Perform bend tests on several of your first welds to ensure your connection points are properly fusing
For Advice and Supplies, Give Us a Call Today!
There are many other aspects of a welding scenario, steps that should be taken to prepare a weld, and other factors of your weld site you should take into account before launching into a project, but these are some general tips to adhere to. To learn more about stud weld fastening systems and our supplies, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.