Author: norfas

Power Supply Classifications for the Stud Welding Process

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Welding with an electrically generated arcing current was first developed in the late 1800s by several British, Russian, and American inventors. In 1887, Russian inventor Nikolay Benardos presented the first arc welding system with a carbon electrode. The same year, another inventor, French Auguste de Méritens, also developed a carbon arc welder. Over the next 130 years, new technologies for welding would be invented and developed to the advanced state-of-the-art systems they are today. Modern metal welding hosts an umbrella of operations from gas metal arc welding (GMAW) to electron beam welding (EBW). Stud welding is also a commonplace welding operation that is used across industries. If you are working with a drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), or short cycle stud welding process, you can find all the supplies you need at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). NFS provides a complete selection of welding equipment, including tools for rent or purchase, welding studs, accessories, and even repairs for most models.

Stud Welding Process

Stud welding machines can utilize either AC or DC power supplies depending on the welding application and the facilities. The power source for any stud welding process can be one of three general designs: transformers, generators, or inverters.

Transformers:

Using electricity from main utilities, transformers convert moderate electrical currents and voltage into high current and low voltage. Generally that conversion takes 110–240 V supplies to around 17-45 V with anywhere between 55 and 590 amp. Transformers are less costly than other power supplies, but they can only be used within a facility because of their large size.

Generators:

For job-site welding with portable welders, a generator is often the best choice for power conversion. These designs convert mechanical energy into electrical energy with an electric or internal combustion motor. Generators are also called alternators because they convert that energy from mechanical to electrical to reach the same voltage step-down that transformers provide.

Inverters In the Stud Welding Process

Inverters are a newer power source for welding units because they use high-power semiconductors that have only recently been adapted into wider technologies. These systems take main utility AC and change it to DC, then they invert that DC power to step-down the voltage and change the current to the calibrated weld requirements. The most significant feature of inverters is that they can be adjusted with software systems thanks to their use of semiconductor chips.

Within these categories of transformers, generators, and inverters, there are many variations that can be used as power supplies for stud welding. Each type of stud welding and welding overall will require different calibrations of voltage and current that can be achieved with these power supply designs.

If you are in need of any supplies for your stud welding process, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770. You can also request a quote online to get started with us today.

Our Favorite Automated Production Welding Equipment

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Manually operated stud welding tools are practical and convenient for many applications across industries. Portable welding equipment that can be quickly set up on job sites are key for many operations in the construction industry, such as thru-deck stud welding, composite construction, and sheet metal fabrication. While handheld stud welding tools have many uses, automated production welders also have an important part in the manufacturing world. Automated equipment may have a limited flexibility in terms of different operations it can perform, but for the stud installments it can do, it beats handheld tools in speed and consistency. Some automated systems can even weld upward of 40 studs a minute. While a weld done with a handheld gun usually takes less than 1 second to connect, the time spent in reloading the gun and positioning a new stud means manual welding is much slower than automated welding. For either type of stud welding, you can find everything you need at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). We provide a complete supply of studs, accessories, tools, and other welding equipment. We also offer repair services for most welding models.

Welding Equipment

Automated welding equipment typically is installed in a facility where it becomes part of a complete production line. Production welders perform hundreds to thousands of rapid stud installments with precision over extended periods of time. Because they get such heavy use, production welders are durable and intelligent. Our automated tools are computer numerical control (CNC) machines with programmable software direction systems.

Favorite automated production welders

CPW 0604: The CPW 0604 performs capacitor discharge (CD), drawn arc, and short cycle welding operations. It can work in a welding range of 600 x 400 x 120 mm and can install studs with diameters of 3-8 mm. With a 9″ touchscreen display, it’s easy to calibrate and adjust the high performance PLC IEC 61131-3 controller. This model can weld up to 30 studs per minute and has an axis movement speed of 25 m per minute along the X and Y axes and 20 m per minute on the Z axis. The single welding head is automatically fed with up to three different stud lengths at a time. The software is user friendly and multilingual, and the unit is compact for such a high-production machine.

PC-S: The PC-S is another great production welder for all types of stud welding operations. It can be manually fed to a single welding tip or automatically fed for a 30% faster load rate. The working plate is 500 x 375 mm. This machine is especially precise with a positioning tolerance of ± 0.2 mm. Stud diameter capabilities are 3-8 mm and 10-12.7 mm. The PC-S is an advanced welder with a microprocessor controller. It’s a reliable option for any facility that works with high precision production.

Summary

For more information about these tools and our other stud welding equipment, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

Freight Shipping Statistics Made Possible with Steel Weld Studs

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Since the first usage of stud welding in the early 1900s for the shipbuilding of freight, naval, and other large vessels, stud welding operations have become a mainstay for the maritime industry. Over the next 120 years, stud welding grew to be used in a broad range of industries in addition to shipbuilding, including the construction, electrical, and food equipment industries. While stud welding is widespread across the industrial world today, it continues to be a key operation for the maritime and, by extension, freight shipping industries. Because it is such a heavily used manufacturing operation for freighters, stud welding and steel weld studs in particular make container shipping possible and allow a trading economic system to exist on a global level. For any stud welding projects, Northland Fastening Systems supplies welding units for rent or purchase, CD and drawn arc studs, welding accessories, and more.

The Impact of Steel Weld Studs on the Shipping Industry

As we’ve said, freighters and other shipping vessels could not be made as efficiently and safely without the use of stud welding. The steel weld studs used to construct these vessels are what make container shipping a significant part of the global economy.

Container Shipping

Let’s look at some basic statistics from the container shipping industry made possible with stud welding (published as of 2022):

  • 80% of all products traded worldwide are shipped by sea.
  • In 2020, around 1.85 billion metric tons of goods were shipped around the world by freight.
  • In the past 40 years, cargo ship tonnages have increased in capacity from about 11 million metric tons to around 275 million metric tons.
  • Around 54,700 merchant ships operate globally.
  • Some of those types of merchant vessels include general cargo, crude oil tankers, chemical tankers, container ships, and passenger ships.
  • Shanghai handled 47 million tons of cargo in 2020, making it the leading global port for container shipping.
  • New general cargo ship designs may produce 40% less CO2 emissions by 2040.
  • The first standardized intermodal freight containers were developed in the 1950s.
  • The first refrigerated freighters were introduced in the 1970s.
  • The world’s largest cargo ship, the Ever Ace, measures 1,300 feet and has a holding capacity of 23,992 standard freight containers.

Steel Weld Studs to Meet the Needs of Today and Tomorrow

Modern freight shipping has reached massive proportions to meet the demands of a growing population and an increasingly capitalistic economy. Despite the futuristic systems and designs of today’s freighters, they still all rely on the use of stud welding and steel weld studs for construction.

Summary

To learn more about the abilities and uses of stud welding, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with our team today.

 

Best Cable and Welding Gear Management for Job Site Safety

Posted on by norfas by norfas

Active job sites in any industry should have safety systems, checks, and manufacturing process regulations in place for the protection of workers, construction materials, and equipment. In the stud welding industry, safety is equally important for all those factors, especially because stud welding operations are so prolific across many different types of job sites. From multi-story constructions and major infrastructure to automated in-house production lines, safety systems and precautionary practices are critical. If you are working with stud welding for any project, Northland Fastening Systems can provide the supplies and support you need to get the job done. We offer a broad range of welding gear, which includes tools for rent or purchase, welding studs, accessories, and even repair services.

Safety in the Workplace

Although manufacturing in general has been industrialized since as early as the 1760s, universal safety standards have been slow to develop. In the U.S., OSHA wasn’t established as part of the U.S. Department of Labor until 1970, when the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed.

Welding Gear

Today, OSHA helps make a broad range of work environments, from offices to construction sites, safer for workers, employers, and third parties. For worksites where stud welding gear is active, OSHA dictates several safety conditions, which include cable management.

The Need and Importance of Cable Management

Stud welding equipment on job sites often needs to be moved far from power sources, requiring cable extensions that can spread across trafficked areas and throughout other equipment and building materials. These cables present several hazards:

  • Tripping hazards, which can lead to more severe fall risks
  • Tangle hazards with other electrical equipment and power tools
  • Electrical issues that arise if a surge occurs or cables are damaged
  • Electrocution risk if cables are damaged from mismanagement
  • Falling object hazards if items are pushed by cable movement
  • Fires or explosions due to sparking from damaged cables
  • Ineffective installation of studs caused by poor power supply to welders

Welding Gear Includes Cables

To prevent any of these safety issues, deliberate cable management is important. Cable management starts with planning the layout of extensions and the movement of cables throughout a job site. Care must be taken to ensure cables will not build up through walkways or stretch underneath other equipment. Always make sure cables and any other electrical systems are properly grounded. Cable ties and links are small but mighty components that can keep cables tidy, in place, and away from areas of a worksite where they might be damaged or cause other problems.

Summary

Cable management and stud welding safety only work with the right equipment. To learn more about the welding gear, supplies, and cable management options we offer, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.

Material Specifications for the Drawn Arc and Capacitor Discharge Stud Welding Process

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Because stud welding is used so prevalently throughout different industries, it shows its versatility in terms of applications and materials. Stud welding operations also have great flexibility when it comes to sizing, such as stud diameters and lengths. With stud welding, you can perform food-grade fastening systems, composite construction, large-scale thru-decking, and much more. If you are taking advantage of the wide range of the stud welding process for any project, big or small, you can find all the supplies you need with Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). We provide a complete supply of welding tools for rent or purchase, drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle welding studs, welding accessories, and repair services for most models. Our own welding technicians are also available to provide support and advice from their own expertise and knowledge.

Stud Welding

For the majority of stud welding, steel is a mainstay material for drawn arc and CD operations, but there are many other materials that are critical parts of the stud welding process as well as materials that can improve and alter the properties of a weld.

Stud Welding Process

Let’s look at the material specifications for different components of the many steps that may be included in a full welding operation:

Studs and surfaces:

As mentioned, steel is a primary material for most stud welding scenarios. Low carbon steel and 302/304/305 stainless steel grades are common for drawn arc welding. However, for drawn arc operations, aluminum, other stainless steel grades, monel, and inconel can also be used for studs and surfaces. CD stud welding uses similar materials, including low carbon and stainless steel, but 1100, 6061, and 5000 aluminum alloys, brass, and other steels can also be used.

Plating:

For drawn arc welding, cadmium and zinc alloys can be used as plating. CD welding can use copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc, and many other plating metals. If nonweldable plating is already on a surface, that should be removed to prevent weld contamination.

Annealing:

Generally speaking, all low carbon and stainless steels can be annealed for both the stud and surface. Annealing can be done to a maximum of 75 Rockwell B for low carbon steel and 90 Rockwell B for stainless steel.

Ferrules:

An important nonmetal material used in stud welding comes in the form of a ceramic ferrule. Ceramic ferrules are a part of the drawn arc process. Ferrules are installed at the point of the weld around the stud tip to contain and control molten metal while the weld is performed. They can then be chipped off when the weld is cooled.

Summary

If you are looking for materials used in any part of the stud welding process, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770. You can also request a quote online to get started with us today.

The History of Catering and How Food Grade Welding Plays a Role in Catering Today

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Welding has been a part of many metalworking industries for centuries, with the earliest forge welding dating back to the Bronze Age (3300-1200 BCE). Stud welding as one of many newer kinds of welding was developed in the early 20th century in the shipbuilding industry. Since its first advancements, stud welding has grown to be a part of almost every metal manufacturing industry from construction to food service. If you are working with stud welding operations, you can find all the supplies you need at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). NFS is a comprehensive supplier of all stud welding equipment, tools, studs, and other accessories. We also provide repairs for tools and the advice of our own expert technicians. One application of stud welding that is sometimes overlooked is its use in food grade welding for restaurant, catering, and other commercial food service industries. Stud welding is a quick, clean operation that can create strong connections between stainless steel studs and other equipment components. Not only is stud welding effective for well-made equipment, it’s also sanitary. Equipment made with stud welding operations meets strict standards for food safety and hygiene.

Food Grade Welding

From commercial kitchens to residential appliances, food grade welding is a heavily relied-on operation that allows manufacturers to quickly build components and full assemblies that won’t have potential issues with hygiene. Food grade stud welding prevents harborage, creates strong connections, and uses stainless steel that won’t corrode or allow spaces for bacteria and other pathogens to grow.

A large part of the food service industry that utilizes equipment manufactured with stud welding is catering. Many kinds of equipment used in the catering industry are fabricated with CD stud welding, thanks to the strong, clean connections points it offers.

Catering Chronology

Catering in the world dates back to 4000 BCE in China, but catering in the United States has a much shorter history. Let’s look at a brief timeline based on an article on Medium.com website, “A Brief History of Catering.”

  • 1778: One of the first large catered events was held in Philadelphia at a ball. The event was catered by Caesar Cranshell.
  • 1820: By this time, catering was a respectable business that was largely operated by African Americans in the free northern United States.
  • 1840: Robert Bogle, the “Originator of Catering,” expanded and diversified the catering industry.
  • 1930-1960: The catering industry survived through World War I and World War II rationing by simplifying menus and partnering with restaurants.
  • 1970-2000: During this time, as more and more women started working in the food service industry, new styles of cooking passed down in different communities became a part of catering menus.
  • 2000-present: Catering is a dedicated department for many restaurants today. Catering has also changed to adapt to new concerns and rules after the COVID-19 pandemic. Current restrictions for sanitation and preventing pathogen transmission make it more important than ever for catering equipment to be hygienic.

To learn more about how catering equipment is made today with CD food grade welding and our supplies, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

Benefits of Renting Stud Welding Equipment

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There are many industries that utilize stud welding operations to manufacture parts, build structures, and create infrastructure. From electronics and food service equipment to multistory buildings and ships, stud welding has a wide range of applications. The powerful, quick, and clean connection points that stud welding offers have clear benefits to quality fabrication. If you are working with stud welding in your industry, you have probably weighed the question of whether to invest in purchasing your own welding units or rent out tools. There are advantages to both renting and buying stud welding equipment, and choosing what’s best for you depends on your circumstances as a manufacturer. For many, renting is an excellent option even for long-term stud welding operations. If you are looking to rent or buy tools, supplies, and other welding accessories, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) has what you need. We provide a comprehensive range of welding tools for rent or purchase, drawn arc and CD welding studs, welding accessories, tool repair services, and the advice of our own expert technicians.

Manufacturers choosing to rent stud welding equipment rather than purchase their own is a common practice due to the expense of purchasing and maintaining owned tools. Stud welding units can range in price depending on their size and capability, but even the most cost-effective models can go over a project budget.

If you are in need of a rented welding tool, NFS offers a variety of models with differing capabilities that fit the majority of worksite requirements, including portable generators. From thru-deck welding to automated systems, you can rent tools that will help you keep your project schedule on time.

Some of the most significant benefits of renting over owning stud welding tools include:

  • You can try out the most current models and the newest technology when you choose to rent from NFS. We swap out-of-date models when newer and higher performance ones are on the market so renters get the latest units.
  • You aren’t responsible for tool maintenance and maintenance expenses; we do that for you.
  • In addition to avoiding regular maintenance costs, you also won’t have to deal with unexpected repairs that force your production line to halt. Rented tools are kept in peak condition and can be swapped out the moment a possible issue arises.
  • With rented tools, we provide extra studs and welding accessories for just-in-case manufacturing scenarios.
  • Rented tools are perfect for short-term jobs or one-time use so you don’t have to invest in purchasing supplies that will sit on a shelf after one project is completed.

Summary

There are many other benefits of renting stud welding equipment over purchasing, but owning tools also has its advantages. To learn more about renting or purchasing tools and other supplies, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

Using CD Stud Welding to Protect Electrical Equipment from Hazards

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Stud welding is used in the fabrication of many fixtures used in the industrial world, including electrical enclosures. Electrical enclosures are built to protect a variety of devices, circuit boards, switches, relays, motors, and controls. Because electrical enclosures are so prevalently used throughout industries as well as for commercial, residential, and municipal purposes, they are critical structures that have to hold up against many hazardous conditions. Even enclosures that remain indoors need to withstand potential contaminants that could compromise a delicate electrical system. The majority of effective electrical enclosures are built with CD stud welding operations due to the strong, clean, and rapid connection points the process provides. If you are fabricating electrical enclosures with stud welding systems, you can find all the supplies you need at Northland Fastening Systems. We offer a comprehensive supply of stud welding tools for rent or purchase, drawn arc and CD welding studs, welding accessories, and repair services for most models.

CD Stud Welding

Electrical enclosures built with CD stud welding offer several benefits to manufacturers. CD fastening operations are cost-effective and long-lasting, and CD welding connection points can be quickly installed with no marking on the reverse side.

Because there is such a broad range of assemblies that electrical enclosures protect and the locations of enclosures vary so much, they have to be able to face the many hazards they may be exposed to. Some of those hazards include:

Hazards Include

  • Gas: Industrial worksites often have the potential for atmospheric gas exposure. Electrical enclosures on jobsites and other locations operating with chemical gases or vapors must be able to be fully sealed against those contaminants.
  • Dust: Even indoors, dust can be a problem for electronics. Simple electrical enclosures are effective inside, but enclosures that are outside permanently need to be ruggedized to protect against all dust particle sizes.
  • Moisture: In addition to dust, outdoor enclosures need protection from multiple sources of moisture, such as rain, snow, and humidity. Humidity can be a problem in any climate, even in more arid regions.
  • Flame: While electrical enclosures aren’t generally meant to survive a building fire, industrial site enclosures are more prone to being exposed to flames. Because of the greater risk of minor flame exposure on worksites, enclosures need some extreme heat resistance.
  • Temperature: Both extreme cold and heat can negatively affect electronics. To prevent damage in settings where excess heat or cold could be an issue, enclosures should have built-in insulation and seals.
  • Physical stress: Electronics are also susceptible to damage from physical stresses like vibrations, falling objects, resonance, and more. Ruggedized electrical enclosures need specialty impact protection built on the interior and exterior.

Summary

There are many types of electrical enclosures built with CD stud welding that can withstand many types of potential damage. To learn more about our supplies and services, contact Northland Fastening Systems today at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

Inspection and Testing of Thru-Deck Welding with NFS Fastening Systems

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Thru-deck stud welding is an important operation for the construction industry and is utilized in a wide range of composite building processes, including attaching metal deck sheeting to steel beams. Decking and steel beams have widespread use in the construction of many kinds of buildings, infrastructure, and other large structures. Because thru-deck welding is such a critical part of many fabrication projects, it’s important for welds to be performed correctly, and for testing and inspections to follow international standards for quality. If you’re working with thru-deck welding processes, we can help. Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) supplies a comprehensive range of tools for rent or purchase, studs, accessories, repairs for most welding models, and the guidance and knowledge of our own skilled technicians.

Thru-Deck Welding

With thru-deck welding, you’re likely operating on an active job site, which means safety is key. Check your cables, equipment, and power source for safety and to ensure you’re receiving enough power through extended cords; make sure your welding surfaces are grounded to a clean spot on a beam; and check your welding surface for dirt, water, and other contaminants.

Once you’ve made sure your conditions are appropriate for thru-deck weld fastening systems and you’ve performed your weld, you should also test and inspect the weld results before continuing on to complete a series of welds.

Testing

Ideally, you will perform tests on pre-production and production weld results. All testing should follow the American Welding Society Structural Welding Code D1.1. This means accounting for the material and design, fabrication, qualification, and inspection. Many details need to be taken into account with your testing, including not performing a test in cold weather unless the stud has cooled to be warm to the touch. If a stud is hot or cooled completely in temperatures below freezing, it will compromise the results. Learn more about AWS testing standards and more about basic testing of stud welds.

Visual Inspections

Visual inspections are just as important as following the AWS code for thru-deck welding specifications. In your visual inspection, you should be able to see the weld point completely around the stud. Any undercuts, spattering, or other abnormalities at the weld point is a sign of a poor weld. If you can’t see 360 degrees around the weld, you may need to use destructive testing methods. This can be done with a hammer hit or by bending the stud to a 15-degree angle. In most cases, bending will be a more effective test. If the weld fails with either test, you need to recalibrate your conditions and test and inspect a new result.

Thru-deck welding is one of many useful stud weld fastening systems for the construction industry. For more information about our supplies for thru-deck and other welding operations, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online

Best Portable Stud Welding Equipment for Job Site Work

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Stud welding has many applications in the construction industry. From composite building and thru-decking to insulation fasteners, drawn arc and capacitor discharge (CD) stud welding have critical roles in the construction of residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal projects. Because stud welding is so relied on in the construction industry, most welders are operating on an active job site. For job site welding, technicians need reliable, portable, and high-powered stud welding equipment they can trust on an active work site. If you’re in need of a quality stud welder for construction site welding, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) can help. We supply a broad range of portable welding models for drawn arc, short cycle, and CD stud welding. Our tools are available for purchase or rent, and we also have a complete selection of welding studs, accessories, more.

Portable Equipment

The most effective features of portable stud welding equipment are weight, mobility, and ease of setup without compromise of quick, powerful welds. Portable welders should have the same capabilities of in-house welders and be able to fasten a stud with a connection point stronger than the stud and surface material together.

Stud Welding Equipment 

While many of our stud welders are suitable to welding in the field, our best job site welders for a variety of welding operations include:

  • HBS IT 2002: The HBS IT 2002 is a drawn arc welding unit capable of fastening studs with diameters up to 1″. It can fasten an average of 7 studs per minute depending on stud diameter, and it welds with a current of 2,000 A at maximum. For a full size unit, it’s on the lighter side with a weight of 210 lbs. This model comes with a temperature-controlled fan and wheels for ease of mobility. It is one of our easiest heavy-duty portable models to operate making even day-of training possible for workers.
  • MFI Sureshot: For portable CD welding operations, the MFI Sureshot is an ideal model. It can install studs and pins up to 14 gauge at a rate of 24 welds per minute. It also has a temperature-controlled fan for cooling and weighs only 18 lbs. The indicator lights, safety shutdowns, and seven-segment digital display make it an easy unit to learn and use.
  • TRUWELD ACE-P100: The ACE-P100 is a super lightweight pin welder for CD studs and pins. It has less than one second of recharge time so rapid welding of insulation fasteners and other pins can be achieved. It can handle welding pins up to 10 gauge in diameter, and it features a user-friendly touch screen with preset values. This welding unit also only weighs 10 lbs, so it can easily be moved between areas on a jobsite.

For job site drawn arc, short cycle, and capacitor discharge welding, these three models are excellent choices that will perform as reliable workhorses for any project. To learn more about our supply of portable models and other stud welding equipment, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.