Industries are always changing as new technology develops and becomes commonplace. As new equipment and practices come into any industry, regulations and standards come with them, and manufacturers adapt to meet these requirements. In the stud welding industry, we use very different models and systems today than the formats that were used in the early 1900s for shipbuilding. The first stud welding operations were essentially manual stick welding or resistance welding, used for composite construction on navy vessels and other large ships. Today, stud welders have several operations at their disposal, including drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle fastening systems. No matter what kind of modern stud welding you use, you can find the supplies, repairs, and advice you need at Northland Fastening Systems. NFS provides a complete range of supplies, from tools to accessories and everything in between.
Global Industrial World
The global industrial world has gone through several significant changes in the form of three major eras. The most significant early changes began with the First Industrial Revolution, from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s. This marked the change from handmade products to fabrication with steam and water-powered machines.
Second Industrial Revolution
The Second Industrial Revolution spanned the turn of the century, from around 1870 to 1915. This marked a time of economic growth, the development of larger railroad systems, and the modern production line.
Third Industrial Revolution
The Third Industrial Revolution began towards the end of the 1900s as digital technology, computers, and the internet changed the manufacturing landscape. This revolution led to today’s current status as the time of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0.
What is Industry 4.0?
The foundation of Industry 4.0 is the increased use of artificial intelligence, smart automation, data sharing, and interconnectivity. The internet and cloud systems allow for direct, in-depth data sharing between every production stage, engineers, customers, and third parties. This creates an immersive manufacturing environment that borders on augmented reality, guided through extensive technical assistance. Industry 4.0 gives all levels of manufacturing greater intelligence, the ability to make decentralized decisions, and data transparency.
What does automated stud welding mean for the industry?
Although Industry 4.0 has been slower to affect the stud welding industry and fastening systems in general, there are still new technologies, operations, and capabilities entering the field. Automation has been growing rapidly, material sourcing is improving constantly, and production speeds are at an all-time high. Innovative applications of stud welding are also growing, especially in the fields of design and infrastructure. Most importantly, safety standards, sustainable policies, and economic responsibility have shifted the paradigm of the industrial world, including for stud welding. Industry 4.0 is moving stud welding towards better data, less waste, and smarter tools.
To learn more about the high-quality fastening systems supplies we provide, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online today.