Taber Extrusions News Archives - Page 27 of 39

27 08, 2013

Hemet RV Announces New High-Polish Aluminum Siding For Trailers, RVs

andre2015-06-18T15:33:07+00:00August 27th, 2013|

1950s retro aesthetic has come back into style for RVs and trailers. The shiny look brings both a classic and modern feel, and it’s something that Hemet Valley RV specializes in. With a focus on both aluminum and fiberglass siding for RVs and travel trailers, the family-owned company offers a wide range of colors and patterns. In particular, Hemet Valley RV announced this week a new line High-Polish Aluminum Siding. From PR Web:

As a leading provider of trailer siding and RV storage throughout the United States and Canada, Hemet Valley introduces a brand new product to its extensive list of inventory. The new 48-foot coil high-polish .025 aluminum siding is an ideal choice for both new a returning customers who are interested in building custom and vintage-style trailers.

The aluminum siding comes with a pre-mask, making it much easier for builders to simply peel it off after installation. As an additional bonus, the pre-mask also acts as a barrier between the siding and the builder’s hands, eliminating the possibility that fingerprint smudges might hinder the look of the completed trailer. While other types of siding may risk a lack of luster, becoming dingy over time, Hemet Valley RV’s new high-polish aluminum siding has a clear sealant coat that keeps it looking shiny for a much longer period of time.

Looking to hit the open road with a trailer in tow? Do it with some aluminum panache. Hemet Valley RV’s hardware is built to withstand the elements and last through the test of time. For more information, visit their official website.

21 08, 2013

Aluminum Slims Down Next-Gen iPads

andre2017-01-26T23:37:29+00:00August 21st, 2013|

Here’s a bit of juicy news for you Apple fans out there. While the new iterations of the iPad and iPad Mini haven’t been officially revealed, sneak-peak photos show a thinner back body. Why would Apple slim down its tablet line? The only reason you’d want to reduce a form factor is if the material composition can be structurally sound while minimizing weight and bulk. According to this spy report from The Full Signal, that’s exactly what Apple did — and, not surprisingly, they chose aluminum to make it happen:

New photos of Apple’s iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 have popped up online, showing off the rear shell for each device. While much of this similar to the leaks we’ve already seen for these tablets, the iPad 5 actually looks closer in size to the iPad mini, likely due to its thinner bezel.

Current rumors indicate that Apple’s iPad 5 will be both thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and will also include a faster processor. The newest tablets will run on Apple’s newest version of its ever popular operating system; iOS 7.

The iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 launch dates haven’t been pegged yet, but it’s likely we’ll see them both sometime this fall. It’s very unlikely that they’ll launch with the newest iPhone, so an October release is more likely — perhaps just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Head on over to The Full Signal’s report to take a closer look at the new iPad body shells. Of course, as spy reports go, you didn’t hear this from us.

16 08, 2013

Attention Criminals: When Not To Use Aluminum

andre2015-06-18T15:33:07+00:00August 16th, 2013|

At Taber Extrusions, we’re a major proponent of being creative when it comes to aluminum. Lightweight, strong, and flexible, it’s the perfect material for do-it-yourselfers and artists alike.

But credit card fraud? First off, we don’t recommend doing anything illegal. Second, we don’t have any idea where these men (appropriately from Jupiter, Florida) got the idea for their shenanigans. From WPTV.com:

Jupiter Police are investigating an attempted fraud at a Jupiter gas station Saturday afternoon.

Thieves allegedly used aluminum foil to try to get away with free merchandise.

Employees at the BP gas station on Indiantown Road say two men helped each other climb up the back of the gas station to get to the roof.

The men then targeted the satellite dishes that were once used to transmit credit card transactions.

The thieves covered the sensors on the dishes with aluminum foil with the goal of making bad or maxed out credit cards process, and be approved.

Little did the thieves know, the satellite dishes are no longer active.

Aluminum foil to disrupt satellite transmissions of encrypted credit card data – we might need to call in the Mythbusters to give us definitive proof that this wouldn’t work, but somehow, we think that the perpetrators don’t exactly have a degree in material science or electrical engineering.

8 08, 2013

New Patent Reveals Yet Another Aluminum-Body Phone

andre2017-01-26T23:37:29+00:00August 8th, 2013|

Is it time Samsung’s next-generation mobile devices join the aluminum-body movement? If leaked reports prove to be true, it appears that Samsung’s Galaxy S5 will follow recent design trends of moving to an aluminum frame rather than a plastic one. This topic has been rumored before, but some dedicated tech pundits have dug up a new patent filed by Samsung that shows that recent moves by HTC and Apple haven’t been ignored. From GottaBeMobile.com:

The patent shows that the frame of the phone would be constructed from a single piece, which would give the unit for strength. Additionally, there is a front cut out for the glass touchscreen display. A rear cutout panel would house the battery door, and from the appearance of the rendering, it looks like users can slide the panel down to reveal the battery underneath.

If this is correct, then that means that Samsung may be able to still deliver features like a removable battery and a micro SDXC memory card slot.

No other details were given from the patent filing, which was initiated in February 2012, so we don’t know exactly what the internal specs will be for.

It’s unclear if Samsung will use the design, or something closely resemble this design, in the Galaxy S5 that would launch in the first half of 2014 or on a future Galaxy S smartphone, but the design is not unattractive and is a departure from the plastic construction that Samsung has so far employed and has been criticized for.

In technology, the cutting edge rapidly becomes the norm. For mobile devices, the notion of aluminum bodies and frames has been a trendsetter over the recent generations. Today, it looks like more and more manufacturers realize its strength and weight benefits. Before you know it, an aluminum body will probably become the default in the ever-evolving mobile device industry.

31 07, 2013

Houses Use Aluminum To Withstand Hurricanes

andre2017-01-26T23:37:29+00:00July 31st, 2013|

Over the past few months, we’ve all seen shocking images on news broadcasts of homes devastated by hurricanes across the country. But for one South Carolina home builder, a change in materials has them feeling confidant in the face of hurricane season. Meet Ray and Geoff Hawes, the father-and-son team behind Cat Five Houses. The Cat Five difference? Their home frames don’t use wood beams; instead, they chose aluminum. From Charleston’s Post & Courier:

As the most dangerous months of the hurricane season arrive, Ray and Geoff Hawes of Mount Pleasant aren’t worrying much.

That’s because the father and son entrepreneurs may have the strongest homes in the Lowcountry.

Both were built with an aluminum skeleton bolted together and connected to a heavy concrete foundation.

Both also cost a lot of money, a reality they acknowledge means that their approach isn’t for everyone.

But for those interested in paying a premium for a sturdy structure, the Hawes’ business, known as Cat Five Houses of Charleston, certainly would be worth looking into.

The aluminum is lighter and more portable than steel, and the frames can be quickly assembled and taken apart. The frames also can be placed on wheels and moved. And there’s one other advantage, too, says Quince Cody of Cat Five Houses.

“Aluminum has memory, where steel does not,” he says.

In other words, an aluminum structure can bend, then pop back in place, much like a soda can.

Hawes says the company isn’t looking to design or build homes, but it is looking to give architects, builders and their clients another choice, one that might cost more but that will stand the test of time.

“ ‘Built to last’ is our slogan, that’s what we’re trying to promote,” he says. “It’s a good way forward, not for everybody but for those who want to live here long term, and they don’t want to worry about the contents of their house, or their house.”

With the automobile industry rapidly getting behind the strength and durability of aluminum, it’s no wonder the construction industry is taking a closer look. Yes, it does cost more to use an aluminum skeleton, but in hurricane-prone areas, that price may have a value well beyond a dollar amount.

24 07, 2013

New Jaguar Models Will Have Aluminum Bodies

andre2015-06-18T15:33:07+00:00July 24th, 2013|

Tesla may have started an aluminum revolution with the Model S. We’ve noted that many auto manufacturers have looked to aluminum for a wide range of components — anything from the actual chassis to door frames or mechanical parts. Now British luxury car maker Jaguar is jumping in the fray. Jaguar’s XS series (due in 2014 as part of the 2015 fleet) is being developed as an immediate competitor to the BMW 3 series. While a lot of the specs are exciting, the part we like best is this:

(From Edmunds.com)

Jaguar’s upcoming BMW 3 Series killer, which may be called Q-Type, will feature a weight-saving aluminum monocoque body structure…The 2015 Jaguar XS will be the least expensive Jaguar when it arrives in 2014. It will anchor the low end of the Jaguar range, a slot previously occupied by the long-defunct X-Type.

The new XS compact sedan will have a strong sporting bias, according to the U.K.’s Autocar magazine, which its lightweight, aluminum construction should usefully amplify.

There’s more news too. If you’re more into the rugged types of vehicles, Jaguar’s Land Rover brand also has you covered:

Beyond the XS, Jaguar Land Rover wants to expand the use of weight-saving, aluminum monocoque body structures across its entire range in the future, say insiders. That will include models cheaper than the F-Type sports car that is currently the least expensive aluminum monocoque model in the group’s range.

JLR’s new aluminum platform, which debuted on the latest Range Rover and is used on the just-launched Range Rover Sport, will also form the basis of the LR4 replacement, the next-generation XJ sedan, and the next XF.

What’s more exciting, an aluminum-based luxury car or an aluminum-based tough 4WD vehicle? Considering that Land Rovers were used to get around Jurassic Park, we’ll pick the later as a showcase of aluminum’s durability.

17 07, 2013

Is Aluminum The New Glass?

andre2015-06-18T15:33:07+00:00July 17th, 2013|

Aluminum is found in all sorts of different smartphones these days, and plenty of recent posts show that it is a preferred material for the next generation of mobile devices. However, those devices primarily use aluminum in the body – but what if it actually replaced the glass protecting the screen?

Microsoft has considered this innovation and is looking at translucent aluminum to protect its new line of smartwatches. From The Verge:

The news follows prototype testing of devices with a Surface connector, and reports that Microsoft is requesting 1.5-inch displays from component manufacturers. AmongTech recently reported that smartwatch prototypes include a variety of removable wrist bands in blue, red, yellow, black, white, and grey colors. We’re told that this is accurate, and that Microsoft’s smartwatch plans center around the idea of removable bands. AmongTech also claims that prototypes are housed in Oxynitride Aluminum, an expensive “translucent aluminum” that is said to be three times harder than glass.

Three times harder than glass – consider all of the times people have dropped their smart devices on the pavement and cracked the glass. Now comes a clear material that’s primarily used for military purposes; the next logical step would be bulletproof iPads, right?

11 07, 2013

File Under Bad Idea: Stealing Aluminum Chicken Statues

andre2015-06-18T15:33:07+00:00July 11th, 2013|

Recycling aluminum is worth .78 cents per pound these days. So, if you had something weighing around, oh, 600 pounds or so, you could get about $468 for it.

Or you could go to jail in a story that’s equal parts The Onion and TV’s Cops. You don’t often get headlines like this in the aluminum industry, but then again, things like “Darrin Edwards, Tyler Jones, James Smith Arrested For Stealing, Riding Aluminum Chicken In Florida” just don’t happen that often. From the Huffington Post:

Three men were charged with grand theft after allegedly stealing a purple, 9-foot, 600-pound aluminum chicken statue, First Coast News reports.

Darrin Luke Edwards, 19, Tyler Lee Jones, 21, and James Joseph Smith, 18, were arrested for hatching the plan on Wednesday in San Mateo, Fla. Ben Smith, the chicken’s owner notified authorities after hearing a ruckus outside around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Smith told deputies that when he went outside, he saw the bird being dragged down the street behind a Chevrolet truck, News 4 Jax reported. One man allegedly mounted the chicken and rode its back about a mile down the road. They then unhooked it and fled.

Chances are, these fellows weren’t looking to turn the aluminum chicken in for a valuable return. Instead, this was probably more a case of misguided youth and a dare gone too far. In any case, if you ever wondered what you could get charged with for stealing an aluminum chicken statue, now you know.

3 07, 2013

Service Truck Manufacturer Turns To Aluminum For Next-Gen Vehicles

andre2015-06-18T15:33:07+00:00July 3rd, 2013|

We’ve seen high-performance sports cars go to aluminum bodies. We’ve also seen mainstream American auto manufacturers turn to aluminum for lighter bodies. Now, specialized vehicle makers are joining in the trend.

Reading Truck Body, LLC provides vocational trucks designed for specific industry services. Their next-generation CSV model (Classic Service Van) has switched from traditional steel bodies to aluminum bodies. From PR Newswire:

The new CSV features welded design construction and utilizes formidable aluminum alloy and extrusions throughout, including the load space floor. It is 210 pounds lighter than previous generations, allowing for greater payload capacity, improved fuel efficiency and less wear and tear on the chassis. This new aluminum construction will pass through Reading’s exclusive E-Coat and powder coat process, making it the longest lasting finish in the industry. This all adds up to a positive impact on the owner-operator’s bottom line.

The CSV continues to exhibit many unique Reading features such as a seamless wheelhouse panel, shuttle panel pass through, flush mount floor to threshold channel, Reading’s patented hidden hinge technology with recessed and concealed hardware, LED lighting and a standard ten year limited warranty. The CSV will have optional security systems available – the master locking system or the exclusive Reading Latch-Matic® system. The body was designed with a universal understructure for GM and Ford cutaway chassis applications, which streamlines the manufacturing process, allows for shorter lead times and drives simplified inventory levels for the distributor. The next generation Aluminum CSV57 & CSV75 will be available with many optional value-added packages for specialized vocational markets.

With luxury cars, everyday commuter cars, and now specialty service vehicles all turning to aluminum, soon it won’t be news when this occurs – it’ll be the gold standard. Or, should we say, the aluminum standard.

26 06, 2013

Sony Taps Aluminum To Build New Smartwatches

andre2017-01-26T23:37:29+00:00June 26th, 2013|

Smartphones have come a long way in both style and substance since the nascent days of old Blackberry and Windows Mobile devices. Are watches in for the same evolution?

Sony thinks so. Last winter, they released the Sony SmartWatch, an Android-based wristwatch. While it didn’t garner much positive buzz, it did set the stage for the product’s evolution. Recently, Sony announced the SmartWatch 2. If you’re wondering why we’re talking about this, it’s because Sony decided to go the same route as many smartphone manufacturers and use a lightweight aluminum frame. From MobileSyrup:

The water- and dust-resistant timepiece aims to be an improved version of what many people considered a half-baked product when it was announced in early 2012. The SmartWatch 2, however, is based on much newer Android software, supports newer Bluetooth protocols, and is, frankly, a better, more fully-realized product overall.

It has a 1.6-inch 220×176 pixel display with three Android navigation buttons below its screen — back, home and menu. The SmartWatch 2 is compatible with a range of Android apps, and can function as a second screen for incoming calls and texts, and even be utilized as a camera remote.

The SmartWatch 2 also joins a number of recent Sony products in a consistent design approach; you can see the nicely-crafted aluminum power button on the right hand side, and the entire product has been built with a lot more care than its predecessor. Sony will offer a stainless steel black wristband if the included plastic one isn’t up to scratch, and the SmartWatch 2 is compatible with all 24mm straps.

Will connected watches take off the same way smartphones have? It’s hard to tell, but at the very least, manufacturers like Sony have picked a winning material for their product frames.