Category: Stud Welding Supplies

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.

For fastening sheet metal and other steel parts, no better choice can be made than stud welding. Stud welding operations can quickly install studs in a wide range of diameters and lengths, resulting in connection points stronger than the stud and base material put together. Stud welding also only requires access to one side of a work surface and does not require cutting a hole. Compared to other fastening systems, stud welding is leak proof, making it more resistant to corrosion, and offers a sleeker appearance. In addition to these factors, stud welding has many advantages over other fastening systems, whether it’s used by a welding technician to manually install studs or on an automated downstream production floor. For both manual work and automated applications, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) has a complete supply of welding equipment, from tools and studs to efficient automation technology.

Welding Equipment

Any downstream production line that already utilizes stud welding or a comparable fastening system that could easily be replaced by studs will find multiple benefits with an automated system. This is especially true for fabricators working with sheet metal and steel parts.

Advantages of Welding Equipment

Some of the many advantages that automated stud welding equipment could offer your production line include:

• Energy efficiency: Automated systems are programmable to exact tolerances so they can work within the lowest energy parameters possible. Our automated equipment can reduce industrial energy consumption, saving you money and lowering your facility’s carbon footprint.
• Speed: With a programmable automated system, you will see increased production speeds in two ways. First, because it is controlled to exact degrees, the automated equipment itself will move over a part quickly, some as fast as 60 meters per minute. Second, stud welding operations can be completed as rapidly as 0.01 seconds, making them one of the fastest connector techniques.
• Reliability: With an automated system, stud welding results have an accuracy of around ± 0.15 mm for steel and ± 0.2 mm for aluminum in most cases. This makes it the most reliable system you can integrate into your production line for fastening techniques.
• Low maintenance: Most stud welders require little to no rigorous maintenance. Even automated systems that routinely install hundreds of studs only need minimal upkeep. High-quality automated designs will save you time and money, thanks to their low demand for maintenance.
• Safety: One of the biggest advantages to incorporating an automated system on your downstream production line is worker safety. With a completely self-sufficient operating system running on a controllable software program, workers avoid injury, fatigue, and other risks on the job.

Summary

These are just a few of the many benefits you’ll see when you integrate an automated stud welding system into your production line. To learn more about the automated welding equipment and other tools, studs, and accessories we provide, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Three main kinds of stud welding operations are utilized in a range of industries. Capacitor discharge (CD) welding is useful for rapid, clean operations with thinner diameter studs and pins. Common applications of CD stud welding include insulation installment, electrical enclosures, and food service equipment. Another operation, drawn arc stud welding, can be used for larger diameter fasteners. Drawn arc studs are used in heavy-duty construction projects like bridges, roadways, and multistory buildings. Short cycle welding is the third type of stud welding operation used across industries. Essentially a drawn arc process, short cycle welding can be automated more easily, performed faster, and done on uneven or coated surfaces. No matter what kind of welding operations you use, you can find all the stud welding products you need at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). We supply a comprehensive range of welding tools for rent or purchase, drawn arc and CD welding studs, welding accessories, repairs for most models, and the expert advice of our own technicians.

Ceramic Ferrule

In most cases, drawn arc stud welding will utilize a ceramic ferrule placed at the point of the weld. Ferrules help control the weld by containing molten metal and providing some temperature regulations. However, because drawn arc welding can be done on many kinds of surfaces—including at various angles, for different profiles, and with a broad range of dimensions—there is an equally diverse selection of ferrules you can choose from. Picking the right ferrule depends on the conditions of your weld.

 Stud Welding Products

There are 10 standard ceramic ferrule stud welding products you can choose from, including:

1.  Flat and flat heavy-duty: These ferrules are used with down-hand operations and can be paired with headed studs, deformed bars, fully threaded studs, and in vertical applications with studs under ⅜” diameter.
2. Collar: These are used with collar studs, studs with short applications, or low-profile studs.
3. Reduced base: Studs with reduced bases, such as ones with unthreaded sections at the tip, work best with reduced base ferrules.
4. Pitch: These are used with partially threaded studs to accommodate the pitch in diameter from the wider threaded portion to the slimmer unthreaded portion.
5. Thru-deck: Thru-deck welding is a common construction operation, and it requires thru-deck ferrules. These are most useful in composite construction with steel and concrete.
6. Thru-deck wired: Similar to thru-deck ferrules, these are used with ¾” stud diameters that can be installed in rapid operations.
7. Angle: When studs need to be installed at an angle, these ferrules can be utilized with inside or outside angle positioning.
8. Vertical: Studs can be installed on vertical surfaces, but the operation needs to use a vertical ferrule to contain the molten metal and prevent drips.
9. Flat heavy-duty special: Special ferrules have finer teeth at their base, which helps with ½” vertical applications and the installation of deformed bar anchors.

To learn more about ferrules and other stud welding products, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

From tools as simple as a nail and hammer to as complex as an industrial-grade adhesive, many parts attach systems together. The right attachment method depends on the materials used, function of the assembly, operational stress, and aesthetic finish. When it comes to attaching metals together or to other materials, several techniques are available to manufacturers. One common application of metal fastening systems is welding. Different kinds of welding have been around for thousands of years, with rudimentary forge welding dating back to the Iron Age around 1200 BCE. Today, there are four main types of welding with multiple subtypes in those categories. Stud welding is one type of welding operation that was developed in the early 1900s for the shipbuilding industry. If you are working with stud welding, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) has a comprehensive supply of studs and welding accessories as well as tools for rent or purchase, and our repair services to help you get the job done.

Fastening Systems

Unlike the commonly used tungsten inert gas (TIG), metal inert gas (MIG), and stick welding, which are used to connect metals along a linear path, stud welding operations are unique formats that connect metals at a point. As far as fastening systems go for attaching metals, we consider stud welding to be the superior operation for a variety of reasons.

For a full picture of why we like stud welding better than other operations that could be used in its place, we’ll take a look at those options.

Drilling and tapping:

This combo operation creates an insert for a fastener that can then be drilled into the surface material and secured with a bolt. While effective in many cases, drilling and tapping is a slow process. It also requires a lengthier stud, and can only be used in cases when the parent material is thick and doesn’t have a backside.

Inserts:

To install a metal backed insert, the parent material needs to be punched and deburred, which can weaken it. Inserts can also work loose over time, and they tend to crack paint and stain surfaces. Additionally, the backside of the parent material can be bent outward or otherwise warped.

Back welding:

Back welding installs fasters by welding on the reverse side of the parent material while the stud is held in place. This significantly alters the backside of a surface unless the excess weld is ground down. This entire process is slow and weakens the parent material.

Through bolting:

Through bolting is effective, but requires access to the backside of the parent material for two-handed installation. Bolt heads can also stain surfaces, weaken the parent material, and create an unsealed leak point.

Welding as a fastening Systems

Consequently, stud welding is the best system because it’s a strong connector, it doesn’t weaken the parent material, it can be done in a single step, it leaves a mark-free reverse side, and it’s a fully sealed connection point.

For more information about stud weld fastening systems contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

 

In most industries today, manufacturers have a range of technician-operated and automated tools and equipment they can utilize for production. In most cases, a facility will have a combination of hand-operated and CNC or robotic fabrication tools. Even fully-automated production lines, however, require human interaction at some point in the process. Stud welding is a versatile manufacturing operation that has both automated and handheld operations. Because there are benefits to both kinds of operations, it’s important to understand the best applications for each before purchasing equipment, establishing a fabrication setting, training employees, or investing in additional welding materials. Whether you’re working with technician-operated handheld tools or fully automated production systems, Northland Fastening Systems has the supplies you need. We provide a complete selection of stud welding equipment, including tools for rent or purchase, welding studs, accessories, and more. Our own welding technicians also offer expert advice for fabricators working on all kinds of projects, and we service and repair most welding tool models.

Stud Welding

Stud welding as an operation in general is versatile and offers simple, yet powerful, solutions to fastening and composite building. When it comes to choosing automated or manual stud welding equipment, consider the application, materials, welding process, location, and volume of your targeted production.

Handheld (manual) models:

Most welders are trained to use handheld welding guns for drawn arc and capacitor discharge (CD) operations. The main benefits of a handheld model are the flexibility and portability of the tool. Handheld welders can be easily transported from place to place for onsite welding, and it’s relatively easy to train new operators on manual tools. Manual welding tools are also usually cheaper than full production systems, and they can often be calibrated quickly to accommodate studs in various dimensions, different welding materials, and the type of stud.

Robotic (automated) welding:

If you have the facilities for production welding systems and require rapid, large-scale welding with significant repetition, you may want to consider different automated welding setups. Production welding technologies are highly advanced for the manufacturing process. They are built to be fully programmable and handle automatic feeds of studs and welding surfaces quickly. Using an automated welding system also reduces the risk of operator injury and fatigue with heavy duty, rapid load jobs. Most automated welders can perform 40 to 60 stud welds a minute or more with integration into a production line.

Stud Welding Equipment

Both automated and manual stud welding equipment offer precise, strong connection points for fasteners and composite construction. Either option also gives you variety in the materials, dimensions, and additional specifications. For more information about both types of welders, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreaks in early 2020, there have been many different levels of impact on various industries. Some of these impacts were predicted, while others were wholly unexpected. Many of the long-term effects were significantly underestimated as we still see substantial challenges to supply chains and distribution. However, even in the face of a global pandemic, manufacturers and engineers still continue the development of new technology, smarter designs, and more sustainable systems. Throughout 2020, 2021, and now, as we continue through 2022, the stud welding industry faces changes brought on by the pandemic. Despite the difficulties, many still foresee similar market growth to that first predicted in early 2020. For anyone working with stud welding operations on a large or small scale, Northland Fastening Systems has the supplies and tools needed to get the job done. We provide a wide selection of stud welding products, including tools for rent or purchase, welding studs, accessories, and the support of our own technicians.

Predicted Market Growth

The predicted market growth for stud welding products and the welding industry in general was marred by a sharp decrease of about 3.5% of the global GDP in 2020. That decline, though significant, was not the 5.2% shrinkage predicted by the World Bank Group, and currently, the World Bank predicts a global economic expansion of about 4% in 2022.

Coronavirus

After the initial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy, we seem to be entering the recovery period. By 2028, the market size will likely be far greater than its pre-pandemic equivalent.

Greatest Damage to Manufacturing

The greatest damage the pandemic did to the manufacturing world was the unanticipated severing of thousands of supply chains for multiple types of raw materials, parts, and other products. Illness among workers led to limited production time, forced plant delays, and decreased expertise, while government-mandated shutdowns over long periods of time severely lowered manufacturing, inventory, and distribution capabilities.

Government Loans

At the same time that government loans supported many companies, that assistance was not enough for some. Throughout 2020, mass layoffs and company closures led to almost 50 million people being unable to work. In 2021, that number dropped to around 8 million. As of now, the number of unemployed people in the U.S. is about 3.6%, which is the lowest since February of 2020.

Stud Welding Products

For the stud welding industry in particular, the most severe impacts of the pandemic are the supply chain shortages and delays we are still experiencing to some degree. At NFS, we’ve worked hard to continue to be a reliable resource for all our customers. We’re happy to say we’ve been able to keep supporting clients in the construction and industrial markets throughout the pandemic, and we plan to continue maintaining a comprehensive supply of stud welding products.

To learn more about our supplies and services, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.