Category: Stud Welding

Stud welding is a widespread manufacturing operation today thanks to the powerful, fast, versatile, and clean results it provides. The first uses of stud applications with drawn arc welding began in the shipbuilding industry. During WWI, the rapidly increasing demand for military and seaworthy ships gave rise to the development of better stud welding technology. Using stud weld operations to perform strong, water-tight connections, the US Navy and industrial marine fabricators could meet the need for war-worthy vessels. After WWI, stud welding continued to be used in building vessels for military, commercial, industrial, and consumer use. During WWII, stud welding was again relied upon for shipbuilding, but also expanded as a manufacturing operation to the fabrication of other vehicles, containers, electrical systems, and more. With advancements in electrical technology, material design and processing, and automated systems since the end of WWII, stud weld fastening systems can be used to install connection points as thin as a 10-gauge pin to as thick as a 1” diameter shear connector stud. Whether you’re working small or large, you can find all the supplies you need with Northland Fastening Systems. Not only do we offer tools, studs, and accessories; we also provide repairs and the expert advice of our own welding technicians.

Fastening Systems

Although stud fastening systems have spread to so many industries today, those operations are still used frequently in the shipbuilding industry to manufacture a broad range of vessels. In addition to freighters, large military ships, and commercial liners, stud welding is also used in the production of small boats.

The US Office of Marine & Aviation Operations classifies small boats into five categories by length, weight, and usage. Those categories include:

Class A:

Boats that are shorter than 16 feet long overall fall into the Class A category. This generally includes small motorboats, daysailers and other small sailboats, dinghies, transport boats, and small fishing vessels.

Class I:

Vessels between 16 and 26 feet long are considered Class I boats. This can include boats with small sleeping cockpits like short haul fishers, camping cruisers, small racers, park ranger vessels, and small speedboats.

Class II:

Similar to Class I, Class II vessels include slightly longer haul fishers, longer distance racing sailboats, multi-bed cockpit sailers, and other fast motorboats. Class II vessels are between 26 to 40 feet long, so small cruise ships, yachts, and science vessels can be rated within that range.

Class III:

Class III vessels are between 40 and 65 feet long, generally including larger fishing operations, tugboats, small industrial crafts, ferries and other transport, grander yachts, police and fire department cruisers, and historical ships.

Small Research Vessels:

These vessels may be larger than 65 feet in length, but no heavier than 300 gross tons. SRV are used in short-term research projects or in close vicinity to labs and testing centers.

In today’s world, many small vessels and ships are manufactured with stud fastening systems. To learn more, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770, or request a quote online today.

When performed with accurate calibration on a correctly prepared surface, stud welding is one of the strongest fastening systems available to manufacturers. A finished stud weld will be stronger than the stud and the surface material put together, which means the connection will never fail before the other components. This makes it a safer and more reliable system for fasteners, composite building, and more. If you’re working with drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), or short cycle stud welding operations, Northland Fastening Systems is your one-stop-shop for supplies, repair services, and advice. We offer tools for rent or purchase, welding studs in a complete range of dimensions, custom stud sizing and material options, welding accessories, a repair and maintenance service program, and the guidance of our own knowledgeable welding technicians.

 Tips and Advice for Proper Stud Welding

Stud welding can be a rapid, easy operation, but there are many steps that need to be taken to prepare a weld surface, tool, and stud. NFS technicians can always offer in-depth advice to customers about their tools, materials, stud sizes, and more, but there are many tips and tricks that can answer frequently asked questions and generally get you started. These following tips for fastening systems are standards almost all welders should follow for quality results:

• Ensure you have adequate power for your tool
• Power sources should be consistent to prevent heat fluctuations
• Ground connections should be attached to a clean section of the welding surface
• Cables should be well-maintained and long enough to reach weld sites safely, but still as short as possible to prevent tripping and other incidents
• Contaminants like rust, paint, moisture, dirt, and air gaps will affect weld quality
• Successful welds require an exact relationship between lift, plunge, time, and current
• Ceramic ferrules used in drawn arc stud welding must be dry
• Water/ice should be removed from the top flanges of studs before welding
• Temperatures of welding materials should be above 0º F
• Studs and welding surfaces should be rust-free
• Ensure you are holding the welding gun at the correct angle while firmly maintaining the tip against the weld surface
• When you pull the gun trigger, keep your hands steady and still during the weld
• Always learn your tool and refer to its instruction manual before any welding project for recommended current calibration and welding times
• Follow recommended maintenance procedures for your welding guns, cables, and other tool components
• Perform bend tests on several of your first welds to ensure your connection points are properly fusing

For Advice and Supplies, Give Us a Call Today!

There are many other aspects of a welding scenario, steps that should be taken to prepare a weld, and other factors of your weld site you should take into account before launching into a project, but these are some general tips to adhere to. To learn more about stud weld fastening systems and our supplies, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.

In 1987, Ken Gobout founded Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) after leaving a job in sales. NFS is based in Woodbury, MN, and supplies tools, studs, and welding accessories to a range of industries.​​ Since the late 1980s, the stud welding industry has changed in various ways, including the customers, facilities, equipment, and practices. The constant for Ken and his two sons, Jason and Brent, has always been the value of trustworthy business operations. Jason is now the president of the company, while Brent oversees all NFS sales. Thanks to their participation in the business over the years, Ken is now semi-retired after fully transitioning ownership to his sons. Today, NFS is known for going the extra mile for customers: providing high-quality, reliable services and having great customer service. If you are in need of fastening systems supplies, NFS is your one-stop shop for drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle welding tools, studs, and accessories.

Welding Accessories

In addition to tools available for rent or purchase, welding studs in a complete range of standard dimensions, custom stud options available, and many welding accessories, NFS also provides tool repairs and offers customers the advice of our own welding experts. We have over 30 years of experience repairing and servicing tools of all ages. Our team has seen the advancements of stud welding technology over time and is well versed with generational variations and current models.

Our team repairs and services models from major fastening systems brands, including HBS, Tru-Weld, ProWeld, ERICO, AGM, MFI, NOVA, Cutlass, Nelson, and tension control tools.

Customer First Approach

NFS implements a customer-first approach in all our operations, sales, and quality control practices. Our business thrives today because we have grown with community-focused ideals and neighborly values. NFS customers return to us for the trusted familiarity and support they receive, whether they are looking to resupply on their “usual” studs or want detailed information on a tool rental.

Fastening Systems

Our customer base ranges from professionals working with fully automated systems to do-it-yourself (DIY) welders just getting started. No matter what level you’re working on, our staff and welding technicians are eager to provide any advice and guidance you might need. While about 80% of our business came from the construction industry when we started in 1987, today 80% of our business comes from the industrial market and 20% comes from construction. This means we work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other customers around the world, but we’re also here to support our local welders in Minnesota and the greater Midwest region.

Stud Welding

NFS values stud welding because it’s a highly important manufacturing operation for many industries. It provides a rapid, strong connection point with no backside marking, and it’s compatible with many different metals. Composite building with shear connectors is also critical for infrastructure like roads and bridges.

To learn more about using stud welding fastening systems and our work as a family-owned company, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770. You can also request a quote online to get started with us today.

Stud welding operations are used today in many applications, on and off job sites. Because of the range in locales that stud welding is performed, there are a variety of different machines that meet portability, electrical specificity, weld capacity, and material needs. While facilities can house fully automated stud welding systems that churn out hundreds of precise welds per minute, welding technicians in the field rely on their expertise and their specialized tools to get the job done. If you’re working with stud welding in any capacity, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) offers a complete range of welding tools for rent or purchase, studs for drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle welding, and welding accessories. While we offer equipment that can be integrated into an automated production line, we also have machines for off-site welding jobs when portability and easy setup is most important. Our HBS VISAR 650, for example, is an excellent stud welding machine for times when technicians only have access to low power electrical sources.

Stud Welding Machine

The VISAR 650 is a small, efficient machine for drawn arc welding with ceramic ferrules. It can handle mild and stainless steel studs. It has a welding current maximum of 650 A and a minimum of 100 A. Because it can perform these welding with only 100-240 V, single-phase power sources, it’s an ideal stud welding machine for working on multiple job sites that have the electrical setups of typical residential and commercial properties. The primary plug of the VISAR 650 is also a standard electrical two-prong grounded safety plug that fits universally into outlets.

VISAR 650

For stud welding on projects in the field, the VISAR 650 has two main benefits for technicians working on different job sites:

1. The VISAR 650 is simple. It’s a tool that’s easy to learn, quick to set up, and simple to carry from site to site. Its intuitive operation makes it the perfect tool for welders that are trained in many different construction technologies or for welders who only use stud welding processes for specific building requirements. It also has a quick storage system for tidying the tool cable built into the machine handle.
2. The VISAR 650 is also robust. It has a fully enclosed housing with no air vents, giving it a rating of IP44. An IP44 rating keeps the machine from exposure to solid particulates bigger than 1mm in diameter, and water or other liquids splashing from all directions. This means it has rigorous protection from work site dust, in addition to dirt and inclement weather. The enclosed housing, or casing, is also an effective protection from accidental bumps that frequently occur as tools, building materials, and workers move through an active site. The VISAR 650 has a solid base and side panels that raise the bulk of the machine from the resting surface.

To learn more about our stud welding machine supplies, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online to get started with us today.

When you look around your world, it’s highly likely your eyes will fall on something manufactured with stud welding. Whether it was built relying on the composite construction of shear connectors, steel, and concrete (such as bridges and roads), or with threaded fasteners or food-grade welding (such as automobiles and kitchen appliances). There are thousands of applications of stud welding that build the objects, structures, and tools we interact with on a daily basis. For any type of stud welding operation, including drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) supplies a comprehensive selection of welding tools for rent or purchase, studs in varying dimensions, custom stud options, and welding accessories. If you’re working with sheet metal or fabricating with structural steel welding, we have the supplies you need to get the job done.

Structural Steel Welding

The structural steel welding and sheet metal industries are just some of the many sectors NFS provides with a complete range of supplies. Both structural steel and sheet metal are important materials in their own ways, but they are often used in very different applications.

Composite Construction:

Structural steel, such as beams, girders, columns, tubes, and other extruded parts, are more commonly used in composite constructions. Structural steel has a high load-bearing capacity, relatively high thermal resistance, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance. This makes structural steel ideal for heavy-duty manufacturing. In fact, most multistory buildings, like skyscrapers, rely on structural steel for their height. When combined with stud welded shear connectors, structural steel can also be attached to concrete slabs. This composite type of construction and other composite builds using studs or shear connectors is used in building bridges, roads, high-rise building floors, airport runways, and much more. With shear connector studs, steel and concrete composites have proven to be one of the safest and longest lasting applications for large-scale structures.

Cosmetic Construction:

Sheet metal, on the other hand, is more commonly used to create sleek, cosmetically desirable finishes. While sheet metals are used in structural fabrication in many instances, it’s often thinner, more flexible, and less suited to heavy-duty building. However, because studs can be welded onto even very thin sheet metal without leaving a mark on the opposite side of the weld surface, it’s ideal for creating clean designs that are attached with strong connection points. Sheet metal stud welding is used cosmetically in many applications, such as building exteriors, vehicles, appliances, electrical enclosures, ships, water towers, and more.

In both of its respective applications, with structural steel and sheet metal, stud welding will save time and money while also performing extremely strong and durable fastening systems.

To learn more about sheet metal and structural steel welding contact, NFS at (651) 730-7770. You can also request a quote online to get started with us today.

 

Welding is one of the oldest metalworking techniques we still use today. Forge welding dates back to the Iron Age, around 1200 BCE. Since then, many kinds of welding have been developed, and each effective welding operation used across many industries today is highly precise, versatile, and reliable. Stud welding is one of those operations that’s used to install fastening systems, composite construction, and other fabrication techniques. If you are utilizing drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), or short cycle stud welding, Northland Fastening Systems has the supplies you need. We also offer a comprehensive range of stud welding tools for rent or purchase, welding studs in varying dimensions with custom options available, welding accessories, and the expertise of our own stud welding technicians. Additionally, we provide repairs and services for the majority of stud welding equipment models, including HBS, Tru-Weld, ProWeld, Nelson, and more.

Uses for Stud Welding

No matter what type of stud welding operation you are using, there is likely a plethora of applications. Stud welding is frequently used in sheet metal construction, food-grade welding, electrical enclosures, composite construction, and more. Its range of uses is in part due to the versatility of the welding operations themselves, but also because there are multiple metals that are conducive to the stud welding process.

Metals Used With Welding Studs

Both the welding studs and the surface material can be made from a range of metals, including:

• Steel: The most prevalently used metal for stud welding is steel. Low, medium, and high-carbon steel can always be used in stud welding operations. This is also the case for stainless steels, but other steel alloys should generally be avoided in stud welding processes. Low-carbon steels do not require pre-heating, but medium- and high-carbon surfaces (anything above 0.25% carbon by weight) do need pre-heat treatment to prevent cracking.
• Aluminum: Secondary to steel, aluminum and aluminum alloys are also effective materials for welding studs and surface materials. While alloys are useful, pure aluminum is generally the more preferable material for stud welding.
• Brass: If lead-free, brass can also be used as a stud welding material. In situations when steel or aluminum cannot be applied for various reasons, brass is usually the alternative material. CD welding operations are most suitable when using brass studs and surfaces.
• Copper: In some circumstances, copper has great advantages as a welding material. Copper is usually used with CD stud welding when a project needs to be mark-free or when electrical conduction is a factor. For mark-free copper surfaces, brass studs are the best pairing and installation should be performed with rapid CD operations.

While stud welding is relatively limited to these four base materials, there’s a huge range of alloys and types within these different metals. With the right application, stud fastening systems are extremely strong, long-lasting, and flexible.

To learn more about the materials used for welding studs and the equipment and supplies we offer for stud welding operations, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.

 

All kinds of welding operations are utilized in manufacturing across various industries. When it comes to stud welding, the range of its applications is much broader than you might think. Not only is stud welding used heavily in the production of food-grade appliances, electrical enclosures, connector pins for various applications, sheet metal construction, and much more, it’s also used in the fabrication of critical infrastructure. One common use of stud welding in large-scale construction is bridge building. Many types of bridge construction rely on stud welding for composite structures, fastening systems, and more. At Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), we provide the tools, studs, accessories, and guidance necessary for all applications that depend on construction welding to get the job done correctly.

Not only does stud welding play an important role in roadways and roadway bridges for commercial and consumer travel, it’s also an essential operation for railway bridges. Our nation’s railways—which carry industrial, commercial, and passenger trains all over our country and across our borders—are a highly important part of our economy and our citizenship. Railways support the transport of foods, medicine, water, fuel, and many other products that give communities and businesses access to the necessary items for surviving and thriving.

Construction Welding

Construction welding, and stud welding in particular, are imperative for the composite connection points between slabs of concrete, cement, and other heavy-duty, long-lasting engineering components, and the girders of steel beams that provide flex and strength in an operating bridge.

The combination of concrete slabs and metal beams connected through shear stud beams means railway bridges can meet strict safety standards and hold up to train travel, weather, and the movement of the earth for many years. Shear reinforcement with studs connects two materials securely while also providing ductility and strength in the face of shift and stress.

Railway bridges typically use heeded shear studs with thick diameters, installed in exact row patterns along the seams of concrete slabs. Shear studs used in construction welding for railway and other bridges are typically 125, 150, 175, 200, or 250 mm in height with diameters of 16, 19, 22, or 25 mm.

Shear connector studs are highly economical and robust, creating an engineered structure that reacts to shock flow moving in a predictable pattern across a working railway bridge. For some bridges that utilize metal decking and sheet spans, composite construction with stud welding dramatically increases long-term flexibility, and decreases the effects of brittleness and quickly degrading strength of concrete support systems.

To learn more about how shear connectors and other construction welding applications improve bridge construction, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770. You can also request a quote online to get started with us today.

Stud welding is a relatively simple manufacturing operation used to attach pins, studs, bar anchors, shear connectors, insulator caps, and many other kinds of fastening systems. It can be used in lightweight applications like the mark-free connectors in electrical enclosures, and in heavier-duty building, like composite constructions for road and railway bridges. For manufacturers utilizing studs in their production process, Northland Fastening Systems offers a comprehensive range of supplies and tools for short cycle, capacitor discharge (CD), and drawn arc stud welding operations. We supply studs in a complete range of dimensions with custom options available, and we provide tools for rent or purchase. For any of the three main stud fastening systems, NFS technicians have the expertise to advise and supply all kinds of customers.

The three main types of stud fastening systems are short cycle, drawn arc, and capacitor discharge.

1. Drawn arc: With drawn arc welding, the use of a ceramic ferrule to contain the molten metals at the tip of the stud and a flux that regulates specific heat point are important. A triggered gun lifts the stud to an exact height while an arc is generated between the base of the stud and the welding surface. Both are melted and the gun presses the stud tip into the pool on the surface material. This welding operation is used in applications with wide-diameter studs in large-scale construction.
2. Capacitor discharge: In this process, capacitors on a weld tool are charged to a specific setting. The triggered gun tip discharges that stored electricity and generates heat at the ignition tip on the stud. The heated stud and welding surface are melted and pressured together to create a fusion. CD stud welding is best for smaller stud dimensions that won’t require serious load bearing. It’s an important operation for clean, rapid stud attachment in many applications.
3. Short cycle: This welding operation is similar to drawn arc stud attachment. However, short cycle welding is faster than drawn arc, finishing a weld in 20-30 milliseconds. The arc generation is almost the same process as drawn arc welding, but short cycle is better suited to smaller-diameter studs that are less than ½” in length. Short cycle welding is used often with thin sheet metal attachments in the automotive and other industrial operations. Like CD stud welding, short cycle leaves a mark-free finish on the back of the welding surface.

NFS is a long-time provider for many types of customers working in the stud welding industry. We partner with small machine shops, factories, and international manufacturers utilizing drawn arc, capacitor discharge, and short cycle welding operations in their production line.

If you’re in need of any tools, studs, accessories, or guidance in your stud welding processes, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 to get started with us today. Request a quote online to learn more about our stud weld fastening systems supplies.

Stud welding is a manufacturing operation used in many industries, from food-grade welding to large-scale construction. With such a high prevalence of usage for so many very different industries, it’s important for fabricators using stud welding to have access to varying types of tools, studs, and accessories compatible with each kind of operation. At Northland Fastening Systems, we provide comprehensive supplies for commonly used stud welding operations including drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle welding. This includes tools for rent or purchase, studs in varying dimensions with custom options available, stud welding accessories, and the expertise of our own technicians. While stud welding is most often considered to be a manufacturing operation for functional construction, it’s also used frequently as a way to build aesthetics into practical design.

In many ways, stud welding is all around us. It’s a prolific tool for quick and effective building. From the appliances in our home to the cars we drive, stud welding is used to make a broad range of metal components. Some of practical design industries we interact with the most include:

• Furniture: Many types of furniture made out of metal are built using stud welding. This includes office desks with metal paneling and drawers, standing cabinets, filing units, shelving, and more. Food-grade stainless-steel shelves and storage systems are built with CD stud welding for complete wash-down and sanitation capabilities. Handles and other parts incorporated into furniture made from wood or other materials can also be built in with studs. Additionally, electrical enclosures are almost always made with stud welding operations because of their clean results that don’t mark through.

 

• Signs: Business signs on buildings or freestanding can also be built with stud welding operations. These signs are often hollow box-like shapes mounted onto a stand or other support system with studs. Street signs, traffic lights, and other municipal signage are also constructed with pin or stud welding.

 

• Automotive and Transportation: Stud welding is a key operation in the automotive industry. It’s used in manufacturing many components in everyday cars, trains, planes, freight carriers, and sport and recreational vehicles. Studs are used to produce parts like heat shields, power steering components, exhaust systems, airbags, insulation, and much more. Stud welding is also used in fabricating the cosmetic features of a car, including the practical design of a steel frame.

 

• Architecture: In many cases, stud welding is used in the construction of buildings with multiple stories. This includes skyscrapers, office buildings, warehouses, factories, and even homes. Stud welding is key in the construction of a building’s skeletal frame and also the installation of interior and exterior components. Some specialized buildings with metal architectural design aspects, like the Sydney Opera House and Guggenheim Museum Bilboa, use stud welding extensively in their construction.

To learn more about the ways stud welding is used in creating practical design aesthetics and more, or to get started with us today, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online.

Within the welding industry, there are a broad range of different operations to achieve metal or polymer fusion. The first forms of welding were developed long ago in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Today, many other formats for welding exist, from thermochemical welding and resistance welding to laser welding and ultrasonic welding. In each of these types of welding, other variations of process and application occur. For example, within the category of stud welding, the primary operations are drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle welding. Whatever type of stud fastening or composite stud construction you’re working with, you can find the supplies and tools you need at Northland Fastening Systems (NFS). NFS provides a complete range of stud dimensions, welding accessories, technicians’ expertise, and a variety of stud welding machines.

 

Apart from the differences among each of the three primary stud welding operations—drawn arc, CD, and short cycle—there can be changes in the way a tool is calibrated for a job or even in the type of electrical current.

 

Like most other operations using an electrical power source, stud welding machines will either be built to handle direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC), both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. The appropriate current pattern for any welder simply depends on the welding circumstances.

 

DC

DC welding units are lightweight and highly portable, making them ideal for job site operations. Because they can be hooked up to most power sources, they can be installed and removed easily between production environments.

 

Though they are a portable option, DC stud welding machines are less energy efficient, using only about 30% to 50% of a power source. They can also require more maintenance than AC welders because they are moved about often.

 

With a DC welder, any arc blown over 300 amp can be difficult to control. Comparatively, AC welders take no effect from an arc blow. Also, DC welders will have polarity in the arc, whereas AC welders have a neutral arc.

 

AC

AC units source power cyclically from their main power supply. The power fluctuates between negative and positive around 50 times a second. This rapid shift creates an even energy flow that generates heat at the weld site.

 

AC stud welding machines tend to be larger than DC machines. They are not portable because they have to be hooked into a transformer for an accurate power source.

 

However, AC stud welding machines have between 70% to 90% energy efficiency, and they are less costly to run long term than DC tools. They also require less maintenance because they are static. Overall, they are cheaper to establish as a workhorse stud welder.

 

Whether you need the benefits of a portable DC unit or an in-house AC welding unit, NFS has a collection of both for rent or purchase. To learn more about our stud welding machines and other supplies, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770. You can also request a quote online to get started with us today.