Category: CD Stud Welding

Stud welding of all types can be one of the most effective manufacturing operations in a wide range of industries when it is applied correctly. While drawn arc welding is key for large-scale construction with heavier studs, capacitor discharge (CD) stud welding is an excellent operation for clean, rapid welds used in lightweight construction or smaller assemblies. With Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), you can find studs for drawn arc and CD stud welding in all dimensions, a comprehensive selection of welding tools for rent or purchase, complete welding accessories, and the expertise of our skilled welding technicians. An important part of any stud-welding operation that our technicians can provide guidance and support for is the weld inspection process.

The weld inspection process for CD stud welding can take several steps depending on factors of the weld condition, the stud dimensions, and the materials used. The two primary methods of inspecting the quality of a CD weld connection are visual and mechanical diagnostics.

Visual Diagnostics: To inspect a CD weld visually, there are several conditions a welder should look for. First, if there is any splattering of the metal, the weld may be weakened due to a too-hot weld. Next, look for a lack of metal melted around the base of the stud. Too little metal shows the weld was cold. Additionally, if there is any reverse-side marking on the component opposite the weld, there may have been too much pressure or heat during the weld. Finally, if the stud is indented or sunk into a divot in the base material, the stud is weakened by too much pressure or heat in the weld.

Mechanical Diagnostics: Mechanical inspections depend entirely on several aspects of the weld. This includes the stud dimensions, the material of the stud, the material of the base material, the thread size of the stud, the time and pressure of the weld operation, and the heat/voltage of the welding tool. To determine the yield load, ultimate tensile load, yield torque, ultimate torque, and shear strength of any CD weld, all the preceding listed aspects of the weld must be taken into consideration.

To perform a weld successfully with long-term reliability, both visual and mechanical inspection practices must be put in place in your production process. With the comprehensive supply of CD stud welding and drawn arc stud welding tools Northland Fastening Systems has available, you can implement stud welding into your operations. Contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 today, or request a quote online to get started with us today.

Stud welding is an operation that many industries utilize because of its diverse benefits to a wide range of production processes. While drawn arc stud welding is key for heavy-duty studs, load-bearing composite building, and other large-scale construction, CD stud welding has an equal frequency of use in different types of construction.

If you’re using CD stud welding in your production process, you will gain the benefits of rapid, economical, low-energy welding that provides a clean weld with no reverse-side marking. With the help of Northland Fastening Systems technical support and our selection of all the tools, studs, pins, and accessories you might need for CD stud welding, you can get your job done with ease and quality.

CD stud welding is a form of resistance welding, unlike drawn arc welding. Arc welding is a fusion welding process that often requires a filler material and frequently leaves a slag from the flux used that has to be cleaned to finish the product. CD stud welding doesn’t require a filler material and it leaves a clean weld that won’t need finishing after the weld is done.

When done correctly, CD stud welding is a fast and easy process that leaves a pristine, strong weld. However, there are some defects that can occur when CD stud welding is not performed accurately or with the right materials:

• Spread of molten metal from the weld site is a common issue when weld pressure is too low, the current is too high, or the weld is timed incorrectly. Molten metal expulsion can also be evidence of surface contamination.
• Spattering of metal is another sign of too high a current. It creates excess heat that can cause explosive spray and loss of metal at the weld site, weakening the weld overall.
• Cracked weld connections are a clear alert to a weak weld. These cracks often occur due to lack of pressure during the weld leading to an incomplete or porous connection. Inadequate pressure during the weld leads to a low tensile strength at the connection point.
• Indentations at the weld site are another result of incorrect pressure and/or current. With too much pressure, the current decreases and a poor weld connection is formed because of the low pressure. Welding studs indented into surface material even slightly are a sign of too high of pressure and too low of current/temperature.
• Misshapen weld spots are also a common defect with incorrectly performed CD stud welding. A strong, accurate weld should have a perfectly circular weld mark. Bloated, smushed, or otherwise misshapen weld spots are a result of contamination or misaligned electrodes in the welding tool.

These defects can be easily avoided when you choose to work with NFS products and take advantage of our technicians’ expertise whenever questions arise. To learn more about our CD stud welding products and other stud welding supplies, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 today. Request a quote online to get started on your stud welding project now.

The use of various forms of insulation is extremely prevalent across industries. Not only is insulation used to control temperatures inside buildings and protect pipes from freezing in cold winter months, it’s also used extensively in many other applications. This includes everything from thermal power stations to electrical systems, mechanical systems, climate-controlled warehousing, fireproofing, automobiles, planes, spacecraft, protection against corrosion, and more.

Because the most effective installation method for the majority of insulations is stud welding, insulation and construction are key industries Northland Fastening System serves. We provide all the welding studs, welding units, stud welding guns, and accessories you need to complete your project.

Using CD stud welding processes to install insulation is the most effective method of attachment. The process of stud welding creates a connection point with no reverse side marking and stronger than the stud and base material itself. It also streamlines and speeds up the installation process, providing a rapid, short cycle install of insulation or fireproof sheeting.

How it works: Insulation sheeting can be installed with CD stud welding using pins that can be inserted through the insulating material and welded to the base material in a short cycle process. The tip of the pin is welded to the base material while cupped or flat heads hold down the insulation material. This welding process is a one-step system that allows quick and effective insulation sheeting attachment to base metal materials.

Applications: CD welding installation of insulation sheeting can be applied in any situation where the base material is a weldable metal such as steel, aluminum, or brass. This includes insulation for HVAC ducts, pipes, buildings, incinerators, equipment exposed to fire, plane cabins, spacecrafts, water towers, warehouses, and much more. Steel structures can be insulated against corrosion and temperatures up to 1,250º C (2,282º F) using stud welding in the installation process.

Benefits: In all applications of stud welding, there are many operational benefits. The process improves efficiency and cuts costs because it can be performed quickly with low energy use. Studs also create clean, strong bonds with conservative use of materials and long-term effectiveness. Installing insulation with stud welding streamlines the process, forms a lasting bond, and is visually clean and professional.

Get Welding Studs and Other Equipment for Your Next Project

If you need to install insulation or fire-resistant sheeting, stud welding is the way to go. To learn more about applications of stud welding or to get started on your project with the best welding studs, tools, and accessories, contact Northland Fastening Systems today at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

While CD stud welding is a fairly simple process to the outside observer, the science, physics, and engineering behind it are complex. Very specific temperatures and times must be applied to the stud and weld surface for a connection point to be successful. When performed correctly, in fact, a CD stud weld connection point will be stronger than the stud itself. To help you get the job done quickly and efficiently with quality results, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) provides comprehensive stud welding supplies and services, including welding studs of varying dimensions and thread sizing, stud welding tools for rent and purchase, and a variety of welding accessories for CD stud welding.

NFS technical service and stud welding tool manufacturers provide rich information about the calibration of stud weld equipment and the pairing of welding materials. However, if you are having difficulties calibrating your equipment and are seeing poor results, there are basic troubleshooting procedures you can easily perform.

For example, troubleshooting a poor weld connection starts with testing for weld failure.

Weld Failure

A successful stud weld connection point is stronger than the stud itself. Because of this, placing stress on both the stud and connection point at the same time to the point of failure can tell you the condition and accuracy of the weld. Ideally, the stud will fail before the weld point because it should be weaker (as seen at 2:18 in our demonstration of the HBS Visar 650). If the weld connection fails at all, the weld connection was unsuccessful. This failure could occur for several reasons, including:

• Cold Weld: CD stud welding procedures have to meet a specific temperature and that temperature has to be applied for a specific period of time. The temperatures and times vary depending on the size and material of the stud as well as the weld surface material. It becomes very clear, however, that a weld was too cold (too low of a temperature, too short of a weld time, or both) if it fails in a stress test. Visually, you can also see if a weld was too cold if the melted area around the stud isn’t an acceptable 360º deep radius.

• Hot Weld: A weld connection point can also fail because of a hot weld if the time or temperature are applied in excess (or if excess heat is applied very quickly). The most obvious sign of a hot weld is a burn-through, which manifests as any distortion to the reverse side of the base material. Even the slightest distortion can compromise the quality of a weld. Another sign of less dramatic hot welds is the splash size of the stud around its base at the weld point. A wide or messy splash of cooled molten metal are a common sign of a hot weld that will fail under stress.

To learn more about the potential failures and troubleshooting CD stud welding, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online today.

Stud welding as a fastening system is a highly valuable manufacturing operation that can be applied to a wide range of industrial applications. From food-grade welding to structural steel fabrication, stud welding plays a critical role in the connection of various metals. At Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), we are dedicated to operating as a one-stop-shop for all your stud welding needs, including stud welding tools for rent or purchase, studs of varying dimensions and materials, stud welding accessories, and our own expert services.

Because stud welding can be applied to such a wide range of industrial projects, big and small, we believe it’s necessary to provide an equally wide range of stud welding supplies as well as our technical support services. NFS is a comprehensive provider of the tools you need to complete a project using studs as industrial fastening systems.

Today, welding as a fastening system is much different than the forge welding of days past. Instead of simply using the heat of a forge, welding can be applied in concentrated electrical arcs in addition to many other types of weld operations such as induction, laser, and chemical operations.

The majority of stud welding is done using a drawn arc electrical current. The filler tip of a stud and the metal of the base surface are heated using the current, and they become molten. Then the arc is shut off, and the stud is moved onto the base. As the molten metals combine and cool, molecular fusion occurs.

Molecular Fusion

To create an effective, true weld connection, molecular fusion is necessary. Drawn arc stud and CD stud welding use heat, closeness, and cleanliness of metal atoms to create a bond at the molecular level. The process of heating the stud and base surface with an electrical arc current doesn’t just melt one metal onto the other. It effectively joins one metal molecule to another and fully fuses two atomic structures into one. In this way, stud welding creates a connection point stronger than both the stud or the base material alone.

The role of molecular fusion is key to the use of stud welding as a fastening system for construction, ship building, food equipment welding, automotive fabrication, sheet metal manufacturing, electrical enclosures, bridge building, and much more. Without the strong connection point that molecular fusion provides, the components and assemblies built in many industries wouldn’t be the reliable structures and tools they are today.

To learn more about stud welding fastening systems, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online today.

The use of stud welding for shipbuilding and other maritime construction is as old as the welding process itself. As far back as the turn of the 19th century, simple forms of stud welding were developed for various shipbuilding purposes.

By the end of WWI, stud welding began to play a more significant role for industrial shipbuilding of trade and military vessels. Many wars and technological advancements later, stud welding remains a primary manufacturing operation for shipbuilding large and small. Northland Fastening Systems provides a wide range of reliable, high-quality stud welding equipment suited for any type of shipbuilding projects and other construction welding.

From portable automated welding units to highly specified welding studs, NFS has everything you might need for even the largest shipbuilding project. The history of shipbuilding was revolutionized by the development of stud welding procedures suited to the fabrication of seaworthy vessels and other marine components. Today, both drawn arc and CD stud welding are used in a wide range of shipbuilding operations. Some of the most prevalent of these operations include:

• plating hulls and protecting or streamlining other exteriors
• building decking, bulkheads, and other interior structures
• fittings including portholes, hatches, or storage units
• pipe and cable hangers and protection units
• manhole fittings, winches, ladders, and other functional accessory components
• propellers, rudders, steering shafts, masts, and other locomotive components
• connecting lining and wedging joints, anchoring equipment, shell plating, and ceramic backing
• performing repairs at sea

In a nutshell, a broad majority of shipbuilding operations rely on stud welding. Technicians working on shipbuilding projects can find all the stud welding equipment they need with Northland Fastening Systems. Our stud welding technicians provide CD and drawn arc welding services and guidance, and we offer stud welding equipment including stud welding units and welding guns for sale or rent, welding studs for CD and drawn arc welding in a variety of metals, sizes, and other specification, and any other stud welding accessories you may need.

Stud welding operations used in shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing contributes to the construction of small boats for personal use, small to large boats for police, forestry, and coast guard purposes, long-haul freighters and milk truck delivery boats, submarine research vessels, pleasure cruise ships, armed military vessels, aircraft carriers, and many other types of sea and freshwater ships.

To learn more about the use of stud welding for shipbuilding and other marine construction purposes, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770, or to find out more about the stud welding equipment we offer, contact request a quote online.

Stud welding is a fabrication technique that is critical to a wide range of manufacturing industries. Not only is it used in equipment manufacturing of all shapes and sizes, it’s also an important part of building construction and other large structures. Because of the immense prevalence of stud welding in the industrial world, it’s important to have access to quality stud welding equipment, studs of all dimensions and materials, and comprehensive accessories. That’s why Northland Fastening Systems provides everything fabricators need for their stud welding projects and services.

Stud welding, though an effective and widely versatile fabrication method, requires a lot of repetitive motions. Technicians often perform more than 1,000 welds in one day on the job, and the repeated motions involved in the process can take a physical toll. However, this effect is not the only impact that welding technicians experience with long-term stud welding work.

Impact of Prolonged Stud Welding

Stud welding technicians are exposed to two types of potential physical harm:

1. Physical stress from the bending motions of welding many studs repeatedly
2. Various health risks from the fumes created in the welding process

Of these two, the fumes created with each stud weld operation is an issue addressed less often than it should be. The heat and pressure of both drawn arc and CD stud welding operations creates a plume of respirable metalloid particles small enough to be forced into a radius of approximately 12-20 inches. These plumes can contain zinc, nickel, iron, copper, manganese, chromium, cobalt, lead, and more, depending on the welding materials.

Many welding technicians wear little-to-no breathing protection, and because of this may be at greater risk for lung cancer, metal fume fever, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Some studies have also shown that welders exposed to welding fumes over extended periods of time may be at greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Despite this danger, there are many ways to minimize the potential of physical damage from the fumes and the welding process itself.

How Automation Can Protect Your Welders

Automated stud welding offers many solutions for preventing or limiting health risks and physical long-term effects many welders experience. NFS offers automation capabilities that can change the way your welding technicians perform their tasks. Stud welding units that are automated can greatly reduce the need for technicians to perform repeated physical movements to establish a weld connection. Automation also often removes the welding technician’s breathing zone from the dangers of the welding plume. Limiting the exposure to fumes and the time spent performing repetitive motions can significantly reduce physical harm to your stud welding technicians. NFS provides a wide range of automated stud welding equipment, including units that can withstand harsh environments.

Protecting your workers and streamlining your stud welding production starts with automation. Get started with Northland Fastening Systems today and contact us at (651) 730-7770 to learn more about minimizing the health risks of stud welding and the benefits of automation.