Welding operations of all kinds are used across industries in many capacities, from forge welding to plastic welding. While there are four to seven main types of metal welding, depending on the application and industry, within those groups there are many more variations. In the category of stud welding, there are at least three main types of operations: drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle. Stud welding is a highly valuable operation for many manufacturers because it provides several benefits in addition to the powerful connections it can form. Not only is stud welding used in multiple industries to connect studs for fastening systems and support structures; it’s also used in composite construction to attach concrete and steel or provide shear strength in infrastructure. No matter what industry you work in, you can find the supplies you need at Northland Fastening Systems. We provide a comprehensive range of studs, tools, accessories, and anything else needed for your stud welding process.
Fastening Systems
Drawn arc, short cycle, and CD stud welding each offer a unique solution for fastening systems. Short cycle and CD stud welding are generally used in automated or quick welds for smaller stud diameters or pins. These operations are ideal for clean, strong connection points. Drawn arc stud welding is used for larger diameter studs, bar anchors, and shear connectors.
Stud Welding Process
All of these operations are part of a stud welding process that can speed up your production line much better than any other fastening system. The main reasons why stud welding can increase manufacturing speeds include:
No secondary operations:
Stud welding can often be performed without grinding or polishing surfaces. Some stud welds can even be attached over paint and other surface treatments. There is no need to drill or tap holes or use rivets, bolts, nuts, or washers. This also eliminates the cost of secondary equipment needed to perform all of these operations.
Rapid weld time:
In many cases, welds can be performed up to 30 times a minute. In the most rapid cases on automated production lines, up to 1,800 studs can be installed per hour.
Single-person task:
Handheld stud welding tools and automated stud welding machines can often be operated successfully by just one worker. The equipment needed to stud weld is also typically lightweight, portable, and easy to operate when following manual directions.
Adaptable to many metals:
While the main materials used for studs and welding surfaces are different kinds of steel, most kinds of metal can be adapted to the stud welding process. Stud welders use metals of all kinds in various applications, including aluminum, mild and stainless steel, brass, copper, titanium, and even Inconel.
In addition to the speed benefits that stud welding provides, these operations also offer precision, uniformity, reliability, and a generally failsafe connection point. To learn more about the stud welding process and the supplies and services we provide, contact Northland Fastening Systems today at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online