Author: norfas

ARC Stud Welding Is the Future of Fastening

Posted on by norfas by norfas

ARC stud welding offers a unique approach to joining metal components in industrial projects. It stands out due to its efficiency, versatility, and the strong connections it creates on a wide variety of surface types and material sizes. ARC welding is a preferred choice in industries where reliable and durable fastening is paramount—and Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) is proud to offer state of the art support for all of your ARC based industrial projects.

ARC Stud Welding Distinct Fusing Process

At the core of ARC welding lies its distinct fusing process. This technique involves melting the end of a metal stud and the surface it’s being fastened to using an electric arc. The molten metal is then quickly fused, creating a bond. What sets ARC welding apart is its speed and precision. Unlike other welding methods, which require additional materials like filler rods, ARC stud welding swiftly creates connections without the need for added materials, streamlining the process.

ARC Stud Welding for a Wide Range of Materials

The versatility of ARC stud welding adds to its uniqueness. It accommodates a wide range of materials. This adaptability is crucial in industries that work with diverse materials, as it provides a consistent and reliable fastening solution regardless of the material being used. Plus, the connections created by ARC welding exhibit exceptional strength. The fusion of the stud and the surface forms a joint that is robust and durable. This strength makes ARC stud welding a preferred choice in industries where the integrity of fastened components is vital.

ARC welding is not only known for its efficient process but also its minimal impact on the surrounding environment. The technique produces minimal fumes, sparks, and splatter, contributing to a cleaner and safer work environment. This characteristic makes it suitable for applications where maintaining a clean workspace and adhering to environmental standards are critical.

Technology Advances

As technology advances, so does the world of fastening equipment. ARC welding remains a prominent player due to its unique combination of speed, versatility, and reliability. Its ability to quickly create strong connections across various materials while minimizing environmental impact sets it apart as a practical and efficient solution in industries where secure fastening is essential. And at NFS, our materials are the perfect answer to your industrial projects.

Summary

If you’re working on an industrial project in need of a highly versatile fastening solution, ARC stud welding may be exactly what you need. Contact NFS today at 651-730-7770, or visit our website to find out more information.

 

 

Stud Welding Equipment Sets Itself Apart in High-Stress Manufacturing

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Stud welding is an undeniably indispensable tool in modern welding. Whether in heavy construction or intricate manufacturing, the versatility and efficiency of stud welding is a staple for good reason. But quality stud welding equipment can take that staple and really maximize its effectiveness in any project. Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) enhances even the most basic welding methods with our top-of-the line equipment—and with the right tools, you can take your welds a step further.

Stud Welding Equipment for High-Quality Builds

Stud welding offers several advantages over traditional welding methods. One of the key benefits is speed. Stud welding is significantly faster than conventional welding, allowing for increased productivity without compromising quality. This means that the equipment needs to be able to keep up with high-quality builds without losing any of that alacrity.

Secure Connections

The efficiency of our stud welding equipment lies in its ability to create strong, reliable connections quickly. This is priceless in any industry as time is, universally, money. In everything from shipbuilding to building manufacturing if you can do it faster you have to also do it better. Using our equipment, secure connections can be established in a fraction of the time.

From steel to aluminum, and from thin sheets to heavy plates, stud welding offers a flexible solution for joining various metals. This adaptability is crucial for industries that work with diverse materials and require precise and durable connections. All of our equipment ensures consistent quality. The controlled process minimizes the risk of defects or errors, resulting in strong, uniform connections every time. This level of reliability is particularly crucial in safety-critical industries, where the integrity of welded connections can have significant consequences.

Summary

As technology continues to evolve, so does our stud welding equipment at NFS. If you’re using stud welding in your manufacturing project and are looking for the best equipment for the job, look no farther. Contact us today at 651-730-7770, or visit our website for more information.

 

 

Drawn Arc Stud Welding Using a Standard Stud Gun

Posted on 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.

  1. Select the correct chuck adapter.
  2. Screw adapter into gun.
  3. Seat arc chuck into adapter—ensure it is tightly placed.
  4. 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
  5. 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″
  6. Screw arc legs into the foot with the recess facing outward. Screws should be loose until final adjustments are made.
  7. Insert the assembled foot system into the gun with chuck protruding farther than the arc foot.
  8. Insert the stud into the arc chuck.
  9. 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″
  10. Insert the ferrule grip over the stud so it meets the arc foot.
  11. Tighten set screws.
  12. Adjust foot assembly to ensure the stud is in the center of the ferrule grip.
  13. Tighten leg screws.
  14. Place the ferrule at the end of the stud.
  15. Adjust leg screws for plunge, depending on the stud diameter being used.
  16. Re-tighten leg screws when plunge is accurate.
  17. Stud gun is ready for a weld.
  18. 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 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 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.

Heavy-Duty Arc Stud Welding with Large Diameter Studs

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Stud welding as a manufacturing operation can be divided into two general categories: capacitor discharge (CD) and drawn arc. CD stud welding is most effective for smaller dimension studs and pins. These fasteners can be used for anything from electrical enclosures to insulation installation. They also often range in materials, including metals like steel, copper, aluminum, brass, and bronze. Drawn arc welding, on the other hand, is capable of installing large diameter studs and heavy-duty load-bearing connectors that can take on shear and tensile stress. Drawn arc welding is most often used in the construction of multistory buildings, bridges, and other large structures. Whether you’re using CD welding or drawn arc stud welding on your job site, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) can help. We provide a complete selection of welding supplies, such as studs, accessories, tools for rent or purchase, and the support of our own expert technicians.

Arc Stud Welding

For manufacturers working with drawn arc stud welding and larger diameter studs, NFS supplies include fully and partially threaded studs, headed anchor studs, shear connectors, and deformed bar anchors. On special request, we can also provide custom-dimension studs for various arc welding applications.

In general, most large-dimension arc studs will meet the following specifications:

  • Sizes: Fully threaded studs and partially threaded studs are made with a diameter of ½” and lose ⅛” of length after welding. Before welding, their lengths range from ¾” to 2 ½”. Their threading ranges from ¼-20 and 1-8. Headed bar anchors range in diameter between ⅜” and ⅞”. Their length will also reduce by ⅛” after welding, but prior to a weld, will range between 1 ⅛” and 10 ⅛” After a weld, shear connectors reduce in length by 3/16″ or ⅜” in thru-deck operations. Before a weld, they are available between 4 ¼” and 10 ¼” in length. Shear connectors come with diameters of ¾” or ⅞”. Deformed bar anchors are made with diameters between ½” and ⅝”. Their lengths reduce by ⅛” after a weld and before range from 8 ⅛” and 48 ⅛”.
  • Materials: Compared to CD studs, drawn arc studs are fabricated from a smaller range of materials. Most are available in mild steel or stainless steel, although some are standardized for low carbon steel.
  • Applications: Because drawn arc studs are larger in dimension, they are typically used in heavy duty applications. This includes structural welding with thru-decking, beam connection, and composite construction for buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Arc studs can also provide powerful, seal-tight connections that are important in shipbuilding, aerospace, and even automotive manufacturing.

Summary

If you’re working with arc stud welding for any application, you can find the type of stud, dimensions, and materials needed with NFS. Contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online for more information today.

Applications of the Stud Welding Process for the Marine Industry and Navy

Posted on by norfas by norfas

For over 100 years, stud welding has been a mainstay of the marine industry and for a wide variety of naval vessels. The first uses of stud welding to build seaworthy ships began in the early 1900s after World War I. Since then, stud welding technology has continued to prove itself to be extremely valuable for improved efficiency, cost, and safety in the construction of steel ships. Both drawn arc operations with large dimension studs and capacitor discharge (CD) operations with thinner studs and pins are used extensively across modern ships. From the internal and external skeletons of mammoth freighters to the thin insulation fasteners used in living quarters, stud welding is a critical component of marine fabrication. If you’re working with ship construction of any size, you can find a complete range of supplies for any stud welding process with Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). We offer a comprehensive range of studs, welding tools, accessories, and technical support for any project, big or small.

Stud Welding Process

The stud welding process is such an important part of shipbuilding because it offers a quick, clean connection point that is stronger than the surface material and stud put together. Stud installation also only requires access to a single side of the work surface, and it provides a complete seal unlike riveting and bolting.

Stud Welding in the Marine Industry and Navy

History: Two of the earliest examples of all-welded ships were the Fullagar and the MS Carolinian. The Fullagar is considered to be the first fully welded ship that was worthy of coastal sea travel. It was completed in 1920 in Birkenhead, Great Britain. Even after collisions that would have sunk a rivet-built ship, the Fullagar operated under several names for over 15 years.

The MS Carolinian was the first all-welded American motor ship, completed in South Carolina in 1930. An internal combustion engine, 226-ton tanker storage, and fully welded body allowed the Carolinian to be one of the first modern merchant freighter vessels.

Vessels: Since those first all-welded vessels were constructed, thousands of other designs and ship specifications were made possible through the use of stud welding, among other advancements. Today, there are hundreds of applications of stud welding throughout a vessel. Heat shields, power steering, exhaust systems, and multiple other mechanical systems of a ship are built with studs. Additionally, the decking and many parts of a ship’s exterior are fortified with steel stud connectors.

Shipboard: Onboard a naval vessel, freighter, or other mid- to large-size ship, stud welding is also heavily used. It’s a manufacturing operation that can install insulation throughout crew quarters and other living spaces, in food grade equipment in kitchens, on technical equipment, electrical enclosures, and even furniture. The list goes on and on for shipboard equipment built with stud welding operations.

Summary

A single freighter or naval vessel can have upward of one million welded studs. To learn more about those applications and how the stud welding process is used across industries, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

Application of Stainless Steel and Studs for Food-Grade Welding

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Over the last 100 years, huge leaps have been made in the global food supply chain and the protection of food safety. The first federal regulations that began our national food safety journey started as early as 1906 with the Federal Meat Inspection Act. Later, the Poultry Products Inspection Act of 1957, the Egg Products Inspection Act of 1970, and several other hallmark legal changes were made to our food supply system. In more recent years, the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 began to shift the focus of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from reacting to events of foodborne illness to instead working actively to prevent those occurrences. There are many ways our food industry can work to reduce, and eventually eliminate, outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including in the design and construction of food-grade equipment. Food service equipment from the factory floor to commercial kitchens can all see vast improvements to hygiene when they are built with stainless steel and stud welding operations. Stud welding is one of the most sanitary manufacturing operations when it comes to food safe assemblies. If you’re working with food-grade welding for any type of service equipment, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) has the supplies and tools you need to get the job done. We provide a comprehensive selection of welding studs, accessories, tools for rent and purchase, and the expertise of our own welding technicians.

Food-Grade Welding

There are many aspects to food-grade manufacturing, including eliminating the risk of harborage by removing nooks and crannies, building in full washdown capabilities for sanitation, utilizing anti-microbial materials, and sealing all connection points.

Building with stud welding and stainless steel goes a long way in establishing food service and industrial food processing equipment as “food quality.” Both stainless steel and the use of studs as fasteners are significant components of food-grade welding under FDA and NSF/ANSI regulations.

FDA and NSF/ANSI Compliant

Both the FDA and NSF/ANSI work to regulate different sections of the food industry to support safety and quality. This ranges from daily practices of manufacturers to the sourcing and distribution of materials.

1. Fasteners: All types of fasteners for food equipment should meet strict FDA and NSF/ANSI specifications. Fasteners must be made from noncorrosive materials that can seal, rather than bolt, framework. Because of this, studs are an ideal fastening system for food-grade equipment. Not only does it seal a surface permanently, it can also be installed with access to only one side of a work surface and result in a clean, low profile connection.

2. Materials: Studs can readily be used to connect frameworks made from stainless steel parts, sheeting, and other components. Stainless steel is fortified against corrosion and can offer a highly sanitary, low-microbe work surface for food preparation.

Whether you are building with food-grade welding or another application of stud welding, we can help. Contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online for more information about food safety and our supplies.

Function of Insulation Installed with CD Weld Studs

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Different insulations have countless uses throughout buildings, vehicles, machinery, and more. Insulation is a critical component in residences, commercial operations, municipal properties, infrastructure, and of course, industrial facilities. Modern insulation technologies are advanced solutions for a broad range of heat, fire, and cold exposures. The insulation systems used in every application are also improving quickly to meet growing demand for passive buildings and net-zero energy operations throughout industries. While insulation can be installed in many ways, from spraying insulation foam to adhering sheeting, a large number of residential, commercial, and industrial insulations are installed with stud welding. CD weld studs and CD welding pins, in particular, are highly useful for fast, clean, and strong installation of various types of insulative materials. If you’re installing insulation with welding pins, you can find all the supplies you need with Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), including tools for rent and purchase, CD studs and pins, and welding accessories. We also offer repairs for most welding models and the advice of our own expert technicians.

CD Weld Studs

Insulation serves multiple purposes, all generally around the control of heat and cold conduction from one area to another. In buildings, insulation is the main component in atmosphere control, preventing indoor temperatures from becoming difficult to regulate. In more complex applications, however, insulation can act as an extreme heat shield for temperatures up to 1,220ºF.

Insulation Function Overview:

  1. Fire proofing: Not only is insulation capable of fire proofing in working environments where sparks, flammable liquids, gasses, dust that could combust, and other high risks of fire are present, it’s also important for home and businesses in general.
  2. Fire stopping: Insulative materials that can withstand temperatures between 300ºF and 1,200ºF are critical fire-stopping solutions. These insulations are made from noncombustible materials and are typically applied between rooms and around building skeletal structures to keep fire from spreading through a building.
  3. Heat containment: For building insulation and general heat containment in large spaces, insulation installed with CD weld studs can cover the environmental control for an entire building.
  4. Heat shield: Smaller insulative heat shields are installed in cars, trucks, planes, trains, and other vehicles operating with combustion engines. These heat shields are also used in most industrial settings where machinery operates at high temperatures.
  5. Cool containment: Like heat containment insulation for a whole building, insulative materials also contain cool air generated by air conditioning. This is especially important for buildings in continually hot climates.
  6. Cool shield: Industrial facilities also often use extremely cold systems like liquid nitrogen. These low-temperature materials can be dangerous to workers and equipment exposed. The use of cool shield panels to insulate against these systems is important.

Summary

In many cases, these insulation systems are installed with stud welding. To learn more about insulation fasteners and other CD weld studs, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

 

 

Technical Aspects of Successful CD Stud Welding

Posted on by norfas by norfas

As a fastening system, stud welding has a versatile range of applications across industries. Not only can larger diameter studs be used in heavy-duty construction, such as the building of infrastructure and skyscrapers, smaller welding pins are important in the role of food safe equipment and insulation. In many regards, the application of stud welding is endless. Compared to other techniques like riveting and bolting, stud welding also has many benefits. However, these weld connection points are only as good as the knowledge and skill of the technicians performing them. If a weld is calibrated incorrectly or positioned at the wrong angle, a connection point can become brittle, too cold for full fusion, or result in unsightly splatter of molten metal. If you’re working with stud weld fastening systems for any application, you can find the tools, studs, and accessories you need with Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). NFS also provides repair services for most models, and we offer expert advice to help you achieve successful welds from drawn arc to CD stud welding.

CD Stud Welding

CD welding is a type of fastening system that typically uses smaller diameter studs. It’s used to install insulation, build electrical enclosures, construct food safe equipment, and even jewelry, signage, and other super small diameter pin fasteners.

Whenever you are installing CD studs and pins, several technical aspects should be taken into account to achieve a successful weld.

  1. Time: In general, CD stud welding is a rapid operation. Welds can be completed as quickly as 0.01 seconds and on welding surfaces as thin as 0.020″ (0.5mm) This fast welding time is one of the many benefits stud fastening systems provide, but if the welding time is done too quickly or with too long of a hold, it can result in an incorrect weld. The time of the weld goes hand in hand with stud penetration.
  2. Penetration: The longer or shorter the time of a weld, the deeper or shallower the penetration. If a weld is done too quickly, the weld penetration will be too shallow. A shallow weld often creates a brittle, easily cracked connection point. Welds that penetrate too deeply can spatter molten metal and provide an unattractive, potentially porous weld.
  3. Temperature: Penetration also intersects with temperature. If a welding tool is calibrated to the wrong power supply, it can result in a weld that is either too hot or too cold. Welds that are too cold will also have inadequate penetration, while a weld that is too hot will result in over-penetration. Both cases are weaker, low-quality, fastening systems.

Summary

Like any other manufacturing operations, stud welding must fall into the correct technical parameters for success. To learn more about the CD stud welding supplies and other stud welding information, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.