Category: Stud Welding Supplies

Stud Welding Equipment Highlight: HBS Visar 650

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At Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), we work with clients who are handling a broad range of jobs, from food grade stud welding to large-scale construction. To help our customers finish projects, we supply everything they need for stud welding operations, including welding studs in many dimensions, custom stud options, welding tools for rent and purchase, stud welding accessories, and the expertise of our own technicians. When it comes to the stud welding equipment we offer, customers can benefit from a broad range of stud welding tools that meet exacting specifications for electrical sources, weld calibrations, and other job requirements. One of the newer models we offer is the Visar 650, which meets some specific requirements that many other types of welding units don’t.

 

The Visar 650 is a drawn arc welding and short cycle welding unit that has maximum welding rates and efficiency as well as minimum weight and energy consumption compared to many other similar models. Thanks to HBS inverter-capacitor charging technology, the Visar 650 is able to offer a single phase 110v to 240v option. Because most similar stud welding units require a three-phase connection at 230v or 460v, they are much more restricted than the Visar 650. The option for single phase and 110v to 240v specifications means the Visar 650 can be used on a larger range of job sites and with more standard electrical outputs in residential or commercial settings.

 

The Visar 650 can weld studs between 12ga thru 3/8” (3-10mm) diameters.  We can accommodate any length greater than 5/8”.  The welding rates can be up to 40 studs per minute depending on the weld base diameter.  Both stainless steel and mild steel studs can be used with the Visar 650. The power range for the Visar 650 is 100v to 240v, with single phase electrical distribution.

 

Thanks to its power requirements and a 2-pin grounded safety plug, the Visar 650 is a versatile stud welding unit capable of being moved and installed in many different worksites. An F-type temperature-controlled fan prevents overheating, and a 15.91′ welding cable gives technicians a broad range of movement. As a smaller unit (approximately 18′ x 13′ x 14′) with a handle, the Visar 650 is easily ported from worksites. For any drawn arc welders working in setting with standard U.S. electrical specifications, the Visar 650 is the perfect stud welding equipment choice.

 

To learn more about the Visar 650 and our other drawn arc welding, short cycle welding, and CD welding units available for rent or purchase, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. You can request a quote online to get started with NFS as your supplier of stud welding equipment.

Working through the Numbers for Your Stud Welding Equipment

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The widespread use of stud welding in the manufacturing world, attributed to the broad variety of stud welding applications, can sometimes be misleading. While a diverse range of welding operations, materials, equipment, and dimensions are standard in stud welding practices, the calibration, sizing, and material requirements for each combination of factors create very complicated differences between any given stud welding operation. Sometimes the differences in weld specifications are extreme, which means that welding technicians need an exact understanding of what is and isn’t possible with their stud welding equipment. No matter what types of stud welding equipment, materials, and dimensions you work with, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) can provide the tools and studs you need to get the job done.

Breaking down the numbers specific to the stud welding equipment, processes, sizing, and materials you’re working with can be a difficult task. To work through these numbers, we’ve listed basic specifications into the following charts.

 

Stud Diameter Drawn Arc Stud Welding CD Stud Welding
1/16″ to 1/8″ Not effective Effective with standard procedure
1/8″ to 1/4″ Limited applications Effective with standard procedure
1/4″ to 1/2″ Effective with standard procedure Effective with specialty procedure
1/2″ to 1″ Effective with standard procedure Not effective
1″ to 1 1/4″ Limited applications Effective with standard procedure
Over 1 1/4″ Effective with standard procedure Not effective

 

Stud Material Drawn Arc Stud Welding CD Stud Welding
Carbon Steel Effective with standard procedure Effective with standard procedure
Alloy Steel Effective with specialty procedure Limited applications
Stainless Steel Effective with standard procedure Effective with standard procedure
Aluminum Effective with specialty procedure Effective with standard procedure

 

Base Material Drawn Arc Stud Welding CD Stud Welding
Carbon Steel Effective with standard procedure Effective with standard procedure
Alloy Steel Effective with specialty procedure Limited applications
Stainless Steel Effective with standard procedure Effective with standard procedure
Aluminum Effective with specialty procedure Effective with standard procedure

 

Base Metal Thickness Drawn Arc Stud Welding* CD Stud Welding**
Under 0.015″ Not effective Effective with specialty procedure
0.015″ to 0.062″ Not effective Effective with specialty procedure
0.062″ to 0.125″ Limited applications Effective with standard procedure
Over 0.125″ Effective with standard procedure Effective with standard procedure

*Base metal thickness should be at least a third of the weld diameter for best strength.

**Base metal thickness should be a minimum of 0.020″ to prevent weld melt-through.

 

No matter what type of stud welding specifications you are working with, NFS can supply a comprehensive range of tools, studs, accessories, and other stud welding equipment. To learn more about standard, specialty, and limited processes for drawn arc and CD stud welding, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stud Welder Product Profile: HBS IT 3002

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At Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), you can find everything you need to get the job done without running into inconvenient obstacles or compromising quality. We offer a diverse range of stud welding units for rent or purchase in addition to studs in comprehensive dimensions, accessories, and the expertise of our stud-welding technicians. Whether you need a portable handheld CD stud welder or a heavy duty automated drawn arc welder, you can count on NFS as your one-stop shop for stud welding projects. For short-term projects, we offer a broad stud welder selection for rent, and for dedicated welding technicians, we have a wide range of high-quality welding units for sale.

One of our favorite drawn arc welding units for heavy-duty stud welding in a large-scale construction setting is the HBS IT 3002. This welding unit is a dual gun drawn arc welder with a stepless current range between 300 and 2600 A.

The IT 3002 has welding capabilities for stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum with stud ranges up to 1″ diameters. Welding times with the IT 3002 are 5 to 1,500 msec, depending on the stud dimensions and surface materials.

Application abilities: The IT 3002 is a construction-grade welding unit capable of through-deck welding and other industrial applications. Its best applications include thick sheet metal welding (2 mm or thicker) and composite construction such as concrete anchors, shear connectors, and deck welding.

Weld variations: Welding with the IT 3002 means working with a ceramic ferrule and drawn arc processes. It is also possible to calibrate the unit for short cycle drawn arc welding, and shielding gas is a built in option.

Unit dimensions: Because the IT 3002 is a unit for construction-grade welding, it is on the heavier and larger side. The full unit weight is 352.7 lbs (160 kg) with the dimensions of 25.6″ x 22″ x 50.8″. Though the full unit is a bulky tool, it is relatively easy to move from site to site with wheel and handle attachments.

Additional features: Thanks to features such as a precision-based microcontroller, continuous internal system function monitoring, lift test capabilities, and fine-tune adjustment ability with the library/specification function, the IT 3002 is a highly effective, reliable unit for even the most rigorous industrial applications.

Safety: In addition to excellent quality and precision control during the welding operation, the IT 3002 has several built-in safety measures. These includes a mains filter that protects against voltage peak, making it optimal for large mains voltages on construction sites. Additional features include lock-out triggers, thermal monitoring, and temperature regulations.

Overall, the IT 3002 is a compact construction-grade unit that is mobile and easy to operate. To learn more about this unit and other stud welder units we offer, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. You can also request a quote online to get started with us today.

The Three Best Questions to Ask Your Stud Welding Supplier

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Northland Fastening Systems is dedicated to providing the best supply of stud welding equipment and services, from customized weld studs to tools for rent or purchase. We offer everything you need to get the job done, no matter how big or small, with drawn arc and CD stud welding supplies. We understand that our role as a stud welding supplier requires an understanding of the needs of our customers and support of quality production for our products and how they will be used. If you are searching for quality stud welding tools, weld studs, accessories, and excellent service, Northland Fastening Services (NFS) is your answer.

 

When looking for a quality stud weld product supplier, there are three questions to ask each potential company to ensure you’re getting the best of the best for stud welding tools and services.

 

What stud welding experience do you have?

 

NFS has over 30 years of experience in the industry. Since then, we have always been ahead of competitors in capabilities, supply of new devices, and available stud types. Not only do we have experience in some of the first digital stud welding programs and automated devices as well as today’s state-of-the-art technology, we are also well versed in portable, hand-held stud welding guns for a wide range of jobs. When it comes to quality service, NFS is unparalleled. We have technicians on hand for any support needed, and our customer service representatives value all of our customers.

 

Can you customize my options?

 

NFS offers comprehensive customizing services for our CD and drawn arc welding studs. Our readily available sizes cover a broad range of dimensions and thread count, but if special sizes are necessary for your project, we’re able to tailor your options to fit your needs. Our team of expert stud welding technicians is at hand to help you get what you need no matter what job you need to get done.

 

What technical support can you offer?

 

In addition to offering customized CD and drawn arc weld studs, NFS technicians provide complete technical support, from advice and guidance to full repairs and service. Our technicians can repair a broad range of stud welding models of equipment, including common brands like HBS, Tru-Weld, ProWeld, ERICO, AGM, MFI, NOVA, Cutlass, Nelson, and Tension Control Tools. While your equipment is being serviced, we also provide tool rentals so you can continue working even when your own equipment is down.

 

From technical support to custom studs and everything in between, NFS can give you everything you need to start and finish your stud welding project. Contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 for all your stud welding needs. Request a quote online to get started with us today.

 

Different Applications of a Handheld or Automated Stud Welding Gun

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Stud welding is a heavily used manufacturing application in the industrial world, and because of this, there’s a broad range of things that stud welding can do. From shipbuilding to food industry equipment, stud welding provides fastening systems for many types of components and full assemblies.

 

This diversity is also because there are, within stud welding itself, multiple methods of performing a weld. When it comes to different stud welding guns, the two primary tools are handheld guns or automated production gun systems.

 

At Northland Fastening Systems, no matter what type of stud welding gun you’re using, you can find studs, pins, bar anchors, stud welding accessories, automation devices, and everything else you need to get the job done. We also offer many types of welding units and tools for rent or purchase if you need to start from scratch.

 

The two main types of stud welding guns, handheld and automated, perform similar tasks, but do them in very different ways. The end result of a weld connection may be the shared feature of each type of stud welding gun, but the many differences between them each have their own benefits that might be more or less fitting depending on your production situation.

 

Handheld Gun

A handheld stud welding gun is a versatile option for welders on the go. They’re typically portable, small, and easy to set up in multiple locations. Handheld guns offer quick on and off-site welding options, providing flexibility and adaptability. Handheld guns can also be used on hard-to-reach surfaces or surfaces that can’t be passed through an automated system. Most handheld gun applications are for post-construction additions, maintenance, or complex building. Our handheld guns can create powerful connections and are easy to set up and use in almost any location.

 

Automated Gun

Automated stud welding guns are high-powered rapid welding systems. They’re typically used for production of components prior to any assembly. Sheets of material can pass through an automated system, welding hundreds of connections in a short period. If you’re manufacturing components that’ll be used in construction in your facility or shipped to a customer’s production floor, automated stud welding guns are highly beneficial. Automated systems can also be programmed and controlled through a software program. This can protect your welders from potential dangers of the welding process and improves precision from weld to weld.

 

Both handheld and automated stud welding guns are available in capacitor discharge (CD) or drawn arc welding formats. Which type of gun and welding format you choose will depend on your production location, the surface you will weld to, the stud dimension and material you use, and how fast you need a weld performed.

 

To learn more about the CD and drawn arc stud welding gun options we offer, contact Northland Fastening Systems today at (651) 730-7770, or request a quote online to get started with us.

Why International Certification Is Important for Stud-Welding Equipment

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At Northland Fastening Systems, we’re committed to providing excellence in all areas of our services and stud-welding equipment that we offer. Our comprehensive selection of welding studs, stud accessories, welding tools for rent and purchase, and all other stud-welding equipment meets national and international standards for the stud-welding industry. Not only do our services and products meet the International Organization for Standardization’s requirements for an ISO certification, we also meet Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) International standards for practices and stud-welding equipment.

 

Our ISO 9001:2015 certification for international excellence is a mark of our dedication to upholding industrial standards of quality for both our practices and all the stud-welding equipment we offer to our customers. Our current certification was granted through QAS International, a certification company working in global industrial markets. Our international certificate of quality means our practices meet worldwide standards for quality, precision, reliability, safety, and customer care.

 

An international certification means several pluses for NFS, including the improvement of quality and expertise for many parts of the stud-welding industry.

 

Other pluses include improvements to:

  1. Productivity: Manufacturers that work with NFS find that our reliability, quality of product, and technical expertise improve their own productivity. Both project management and fabrication practices are streamlined and improved when our customers have access to our services and products.
  2. Waste Reduction: Our customers also see a decrease in waste generated from the start to finish of any project. Our professional guidance and superior products dramatically reduce time and money spent on repairing or repeating welds.
  3. Quality Control: Thanks to improvements in productivity and waste reduction, manufacturers can dedicate more time to quality control, including testing, diagnostics, troubleshooting, prototyping, and real-time function simulations.
  4. Workplace Safety: In addition to more time for quality control, customers working with NFS can also put more energy into improving their workplace, expanding workplace safety, and overall increasing the morale and motivation of their team members.
  5. Customer Satisfaction: Because of the motivation of staff, improvements to production, and quality of product, customer satisfaction from our customers to theirs is increased. The service and products all customers receive is better, and they are happier thanks to our international certification.

 

The internationalization of stud-welding standards and industrial standards overall makes a more specific outline of what manufacturers need to do to meet the highest caliber of service and product. Starting with our ISO certification and an internationally recognized quality of product and service, we can all work together to improve the industrial world as a whole. To learn more about the stud-welding equipment and services we offer, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 today, or request a quote online to get started with our team now.

Glossary of Terms for Stud Welding

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For any builders, fabricators, or manufacturers who are just beginning to use stud welding operations as a tool in their work, there is a lot to learn. While stud welding appears to be a relatively simple, straightforward operation, there are many complexities about the varying types of processes. At Northland Fastening Systems, we offer a comprehensive supply of stud welding tools, studs, and accessories in addition to our expert technical support services. If you are a beginner or even an experienced stud welder, our team of skilled service technicians can provide the support and tools that you need to get the job done.

 

If you are just beginning to work with stud welding tools and processes, it’s important to understand the basic terms used to describe aspects of the operation. Some of the most important, widely used terms in the stud welding industry include:

 

  1. Stud: Any fastener used in the stud welding process. This includes pins, shear connectors, and bar anchors as well as standard studs. Studs can be made from steel, aluminum, brass, copper, or related alloys.
  2. Gun: The hand-operated tool used by the technician performing the weld. Studs are inserted in the tip of the gun and applied to the surface that it will be welded to.
  3. Controller: The electrical unit controlling the supply of voltage to the welding gun or welding tip. The controller used depends on the type of welding process, the stud dimensions, and the material to be welded to.
  4. Parent material: The surface material that the stud will be welded to. This is also called the “workpiece.” If done correctly, the bond between the stud and the parent material will be much stronger than the stud or parent material alone.
  5. Capacitor discharge (CD): A type of stud welding process that uses electrical discharge heat to connect the stud to the parent material. CD stud welding is fast, cost-effective, and clean.
  6. Drawn arc: Another common type of stud welding. The process uses an arcing current to heat the stud inside a ceramic ferrule while it is held against the parent material. This process is suited for welding heavy-duty studs with larger diameters.
  7. Ceramic ferrule: A ceramic containment piece for the stud used in a drawn arc process. It serves to regulate the weld temperature and prevent the molten metal from moving outside a desired range.
  8. Chuck: A component that holds a stud in the tip of the welding gun during the CD stud welding process.
  9. Flux: An aluminum coating on the tip of a drawn arc welding stud. It improves the ignition and de-oxidizes the pooling of the weld point.

 

There are many other terms used for different components of various welding processes, but this list covers the basic vocabulary used in most stud welding operations. To learn more about stud welding and the tools or terms used, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online today.

 

 

 

 

 

What Do Nelson® Studs, Jet Skis, and Chapstick Have in Common?

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Nelson® Studs manufactures and supplies headed anchor and shear connector studs. What could they possibly have in common with jet skis and chapstick?

 

Consider this: when one of our customers calls us and needs headed anchors or shear connectors, they often simply ask for Nelson® studs. It seems that Nelson® studs have become synonymous with those studs in the industry.

 

This process where a brand name becomes synonymous with the product isn’t that uncommon. It’s called a “generic trademark” and you might be surprised by the wide range of products that are actually brand names, including jet skis and chapstick. (Or, rather, Jet Skis and Chapstick.)

 

While it could sound like a great thing for your product to be so widely known, some companies resist this process. For example, Google very actively attempts to prevent the use of the word “to google” to mean “search on the internet.” They do so to maintain ownership of the Google trademark.

 

Other generic trademark examples include Kleenex, Band-Aid, Popsicle, Q-Tips—even Seeing Eye Dog! That’s how we get from Nelson® Studs to Jet Skis and Chapstick. Because of their long history in the industry, Nelson® Studs have become synonymous with headed anchor and shear connector studs.

 

But just like there are multiple manufacturers of “personal watercraft” (i.e., Jet Skis) and many makers of “lip balm” (i.e., Chapstick), there are many quality manufacturers and brands of headed anchor and shear connector studs.

 

Northland Fastening Systems offers a wide stock of headed anchors, shear connectors, and many other studs for projects big and small. Our studs get the job done right, just like Nelson® studs. Custom lengths are available, and customers can take advantage of additional services like professional repairs, equipment rentals, and expert advice for the application of stud welding in your project.

 

So when you need headed anchors or shear connectors, don’t leap to the global brand first. Get in touch with Northland Fastening Systems!

To learn more about all our welding studs and services, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770, or get started with us today and request a quote online.

 

 

Uses and Benefits of Automated Stud Welding Equipment

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Stud welding is a relatively new manufacturing operation in comparison with other welding formats that have been used as far back as the Bronze Age. Since its beginnings in the Industrial Revolution and its rise in popularity for shipbuilding in WWII, stud welding has rapidly advanced technologically. Today, stud welding is used for a broad range of manufacturing applications, from large-scale structural construction to complex, food-grade equipment. Because of its widespread use, there are many applications where stud welding operations can be automated for results that are higher quality, more precise, and faster. With the help of Northland Fastening Systems expert technicians, you can integrate automation into your operations with our selection of state-of-the-art automated welding equipment and comprehensive welding studs.

 

Automation in the stud welding industry is one of the most recent developments that facilities can apply on their operations floor or in the field. Various formats of automated stud welding were developed to improve production in many ways with the benefits it provides.

 

Benefits

Automated stud welding provides many benefits to fabricators. Broadly speaking, this includes:

  • Efficiency
  • Speed
  • Accuracy
  • Cost Reduction

If your volume of production has recently increased, integrating automation into your facilities is an investment that will pay itself off quickly as it saves your welders the time, energy, and cost of keeping up with your production demands. Manufacturers using stud welding for a range of applications can almost always benefit from the implementation of automated welding equipment.

 

How It Works

Automation can be used in a factory setting or as a portable device with both automatic hand-held welding guns and CNC welding heads. The stud is inserted into the gun manually or with an automatic feeder, and the welding surface is processed on an automatic production line. For large-scale rapid welding, robotic welding systems are the most effective with computer-controlled precision and a fully automated production line.

Systems like our MPW 10102010 are highly effective when it comes to speeding up the production process and increasing volume. This system can perform up to 40 welds per minute using short cycle drawn arc welding with up to three welding heads operating simultaneously. It can also perform simple milling tasks for finishing assemblies or machining components.

For a more portable automated application, our handheld PAH-1 welding gun is a highly effective stud welding tool. Using CD, short cycle drawn arc, contact, or gap welding, this gun is a lightweight automation option for welding a variety of materials. This gun is especially effective in welding sheeting as thin as 0.5 mm.

 

Explore our comprehensive collection of automation products and other stud welding equipment options, or shop from our wide range of welding studs online. To learn more about automation in the welding industry or to get started with NFS for all your welding equipment and studs today, contact us at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

Benefits of ISO 9001:2015 Certification for Providers of Stud Welding Supplies and Services

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Northland Fastening Systems is a provider of high-quality stud welding tools, supplies, and accessories for a comprehensive range of stud welding applications. We offer studs in all dimensions, and we can provide custom studs on request. Our welding units are available for rent or purchase, and our welding accessories meet a wide variety of needs for projects big and small.

 

We also have a team of skilled, knowledgeable stud welding technicians well equipped to perform complete stud welding services both in the field and in-house. With the help of our expert technicians and our comprehensive equipment and facilities, we can help you finish a stud welding job with efficiency, quality, and long-term effectiveness.

 

Our quality management system for our stud welding services and facilities are ISO 9001:2015 certified. When a facility and operational process has an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certification, it means the system has met these worldwide standards for the consistency of quality work, the continued adherence to ISO standards, the assessment of worker safety and environmental impact, and the continued improvement of practices.

 

When you partner with NFS for stud welding supplies and services, you gain the advantage of our ISO certification and all the benefits it provides, including:

 

  • Improved Quality: Meeting the standards an ISO certification requires means we have to strive continuously to provide the highest quality possible. This applies to our stud welding services, welding units, welding studs used, project management practices, safety gear, and more. Our own improved quality affects the quality of all our customers’ work in turn.
  • Improved Efficiency: As a result of improved quality at all stages, our stud welding technicians are able to improve the efficiency of your production as a whole. This means we can reduce waste, improve environmental impacts, streamline the welding and assembly process, and speed up your work. Our improved efficiency also improves efficiency for the customer down the line.
  • Improved Safety: To maintain our certification, we’re continually searching for ways to improve our safety practices in the workplace and in the products we sell and use. The protection of our workers, the improvement of our maintenance programs, and the development of project scheduling and record keeping all work together to advance our safety practices. This means our relationship with the customer and the services/products we provide all see improvements.
  • Continual Improvement: With our quality, efficiency, and safety practices all seeing improvements with continued adherence to ISO certification standards, our services and products improve together over time. NFS is committed to finding ways to continually improve every aspect of our stud welding services in addition to meeting each advancement in ISO certification requirements.

 

To learn more about our ISO certification and the benefits it offers, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online to get started on your stud welding today.