3 10, 2018

Achieving a Shiny Finish: How Aluminum Accepts a Variety of Finishes

2018-10-03T16:19:48+00:00October 3rd, 2018|

The applications for aluminum alloys are varied, but for many projects, such as with infrastructure or medical products, the appearance of the final product counts. This means that having a variety of aluminum surface finishes creates more possibilities for what an aluminum extrusion can do. We will review what surface treatments provide and the different types of finishes available in the industry.

What advantages do aluminum surface treatments provide?  

Often just seen as a means of corrosion protection, these treatments can drastically impact a variety of conditions and properties. Such changes include:

  • Altering surface hardness and abrasion resistance
  • Appearance
  • Coating adhesion like paints, varnish, and bonding adhesives
  • Providing protection from corrosion and durability

What types of aluminum surface finishes are there?

No matter the application, aluminum and its alloys provide the advantage of having a naturally hard and inert surface oxide layer. This layer is formed in aerated water and air and then re-forms when the metal is cut. Subsequently, the oxide film allows aluminum and its alloys to have minimal corrosion.

The surface finishes for aluminum fall into three main groups: anodizing, powder paint and liquid paint. Though not as common, there are other surface finishes which include mechanical finishes, pretreatment, and sublimation.

The Big Three: Anodizing, powder coating, and wet coating

  • Anodizing – Adding further protection beyond the natural oxide film, this electrochemical process provides durability to the aluminum. Anodized aluminum can accept vibrant colors and any aluminum alloy can be anodized. 
  • Powder Paint– This process leaves behind a film that meets intense performance criteria. For example, there are many environmental regulations that prevent the use of VOCs which powder coating does not contain. It is applied as a solid, and when going through and over, the solid particles fuse to form the film.

Liquid Paint – Varying in color, this film provides uniform thickness. Unlike powder coating, they do contain VOCs but they are driven off during the baking process. When these VOCs are removed, the volume solids form a film on the extrusion.

aluminum tree with wood on one side of the background and rows of steel on the other side

Other aluminum surface finishes:

  • Mechanical finishes – Aluminum and aluminum alloys can be buffed, polished, blasted, sanded, or grinded. This is typically done in order to improve the surface quality of the extrusion in order to prepare it for further cosmetic finishes.
  • Pretreatment – This surface finish is done by either etching or cleaning the profile with alkaline or acidic materials. Following the cleaning, a pretreatment coating is applied which enhances paint or powder adhesion, thus providing stronger resistance against corrosion.
  • Sublimation – This technique is rarely implemented but is becoming more common over time. Sublimation makes an aluminum alloy look like wood of all things! First, a base coat of powder is applied and then the extrusions go through sublimation. Then technicians place a thin film with a pattern on it around the profile. With the sublimation process, the wood pattern is directly transferred onto the extrusion.

Taber Extrusions knows what it takes to produce the top-quality extrusions with the best possible finishes. We offer a variety of surface finishes and work closely with our customers to achieve products that are not only reliable and functional but good looking.

To learn more about how we can be of service visit: http://taberextrusions.com/

For inquiries or quotes visit: http://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?

Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

24 05, 2018

Aluminum Extruders Engaging New Generation of Frigate Builders and Defense Contractors

2018-05-24T18:09:11+00:00May 24th, 2018|

The U.S. Navy is prepared to spend a generous amount in order to meet its ambitious specifications list as it prioritizes its FFG(X) program.  Recently, the U.S. Navy  announced they are willing to spend roughly $1B per ship, which should buy a very capable surface combatant. With this news, aluminum extrusion manufacturers are eager to provide extrusions for selected frigate designers/builders.

Read all about this and the requirements set by the Navy for the FFG(X) in this recent article by Tyler Rogoway of The Drive, which says “Defense contractors from around the globe are seeing this program as a rare opportunity to get a foothold in shipbuilding for the U.S. Navy, and multiple existing foreign designs could potentially be adapted for the Navy’s use. This is in addition to well-established domestic vendors that will be competing for the opportunity with their own designs as well. Supposedly about eight designs are being looked at by the Navy, all of which were submitted following the service’s initial RFP that was released last year.”

“This is an effort to get the design right up front,” Rear Adm. Ronald Boxall, The Navy’s surface warfare director said in an interview with Defense News. “We’re looking to have a dialogue with industry to get the most capability for the best price…. we want to see what industry comes back with. From there we’ll lock it down and go into the detailed design and construction phase and we can get this thing out by 2020.”

Who are the companies that have been contracted by the Navy to compete for the frigate bid?

  • Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi
  • Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York
  • Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas
  • Detyens Shipyards Inc., North Charleston, South Carolina
  • Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama
  • Lockheed Martin Inc., Baltimore, Maryland
  • Marinette Marine Corp., dba as Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin
  • General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
  • Nexagen Networks Inc., Marlboro, New Jersey
  • Adept Process Services Inc., National City, California

Aluminum extrusions have played a part in military and defense industries for a long time, and known for their contribution to the U.S. Navy’s the Littoral Combat Ships.  The LCS are agile and flexible surface combatants which operate close to shore, reconfigurable for various duties from special operations, maritime intercept, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance. The Aluminum Extruders Council explains, “With design criteria stressing agility, it’s not surprising that extruded components, with their high strength and light weight, play an important role in the LCS program. Among other applications, truss sections, joined with friction stir welding, are used for decking, and T-sections, again joined via friction stir, are incorporated in the hull and superstructure.”

It will be exciting to see which ship will become the U.S. Navy’s next frigate, and what 2020 will bring.

About Taber Extrusions

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS in 1995 which houses a cast house, two additional presses, and a fabrication area that has been expanded multiple times. Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes, and has diversified its markets beyond military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of soft and hard alloys. Today, Taber Extrusions is proud to announce the launch expanded capabilities to include aluminum micro-extrusions.

If you have any questions please visit taberextrusions.com or contact one of Taber’s Regional Sales Managers. Taber Extrusions is committed to continue their legacy by saving clients time and money with custom aluminum shapes extruded with precision and the full range of aluminum alloys.

19 12, 2017

Hard and Soft Alloys for Aerospace and Firearms

2017-12-19T18:21:55+00:00December 19th, 2017|

hard and soft alloys for aerospace and firearms

Taber is able to offer both hard alloys as well as soft alloys for aerospace and firearms, which is fairly unique in the industry. One of the most exciting segments in the hard alloy group is firearms. We have discovered that many firearms manufacturers are small businesses. So, what we offer is stocking a custom shape for them, or producing a generic shape that they can machine individually into their own profile. We provide a solution not only to large businesses, but to any small business too!

We’re also able to offer distribution centers and larger manufacturers of firearms the exact near-net shape that they need.

Furthermore, in regards to the alloys for aerospace market, we supply all of the major manufacturers in the US. We do large press hard alloy extrusions, which is for a very limited supply market and provides additional value to our customers. We’re very unique in that aspect.

Aluminum alloys have long been a dominant material in the manufacture of aerospace vehicles, and due to the ever-evolving nature of aluminum alloys, they are likely to stay around for a long time.

Aluminum is used In:

  • Fuselage/pressure cabin
  • Seat/cargo tracks
  • Floor beams
  • Lower and upper horizontal stabilization
  • Upper wing skin/stringers and spars
  • Lower wing skin/spars/stringers

Taber offers the full range of aluminum alloys for all of our aluminum shapes, including hard, soft, marine, and armor grade alloys. Need specific material or alloy? We can offer custom chemistries to meet your unique needs. All of our alloys are processed at our billet casting facility in Gulfport, Mississippi.

In a five-billion pound industry, Taber is among the leading aluminum suppliers and is the most diverse in breadth of capability.

Learn more about Taber’s Available Aluminum Alloys here.

 

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

5 12, 2017

Taber’s Upgraded Aluminum Fabrication and Aluminum Machining Capabilities

2017-12-14T18:25:18+00:00December 5th, 2017|

Taber’s updated fabrication facility in Russellville, Arkansas is designed to handle fabrication and machining as always, but now boasts tremendous growth in manufacturing parts for cutting-edge technologies. This expansion includes  applications in electric transportation vehicles for individual and mass transit transportation. With the ongoing support of our parent company National Material L.P., we have the opportunity to expand into areas that were previously unreachable.

CNC machining is used extensively by aluminum extrusion companies to increase efficiency, reduce error, and move the solution toward a final product the customers desire.   Our mission is to fully understand the machining needs of our customers’ aluminum extrusion-based products. Taber’s remarkable attention to the needs of the market position the company to provide customized, versatile, high-quality, market-oriented products that can satisfy a wide range of applications.

OUR MACHINES

Haas VF-7

The Haas VF-7 is our large-sized VMC that provides reliability and pinpoint accuracy. The VF-7 has a 40-taper cartridge spindle driven by a 30 hp vector Dual-Drive (Y-Delta) drive. The VF-7 produces either 75 ft-lb of torque at a low 1400 rpm, or 250 ft-lb at 450 rpm with the optional 2-speed gearbox — and will also run up to 8,100 rpm in 1.2 seconds for finishing aluminum.

Watch Haas VF-7 video

Emmegi Satellite XT

Our Emmegi Satellite XT allows for efficient workpiece aluminum machining advantages in pendulum mode including multiple set-ups. It’s a five-axis machining center and it allows us to machine, complete, a 10 ½ meter long part. It also has sawing capabilities where we can square cut and compound mitre cut parts to length. The work space of our long-bed machining center can be divided into two areas, granting us the ability to load and unload on one side while machining on the other side.

Watch Emmegi Satellite XT video

HMC500

The HMC500 comes fully loaded with features for fast cycle times. The HMC500 is constructed with a lightweight column featuring a rigid stepped X axis rail design. This column enables a rapid feed rate of 63 meters per minute, 2480 inches per minute, with acceleration of 1G.

Watch HMC500 video

ZIESS CMM

The Zeiss CMM uses highly accurate scanning technologies to capture a fully defined 3D measurement for any of our extruded and fabricated profiles.

Watch Ziess CMM video

Learn more about our aluminum fabrication machines and capabilities here:

http://taberextrusions.com/aluminum-fabrication/

 

Follow Taber on social media and never miss an update:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

29 11, 2017

Team Taber: The Culture of an Aluminum Extrusion Company

2018-01-11T23:50:31+00:00November 29th, 2017|

In the industry, and wondering what it’s like to work for an aluminum extrusion company like Taber? We like to think that what sets us apart goes beyond just our expanded capabilities; It’s the tight-knit company culture we have cultivated along the way that has enabled us to become the benchmark competitor in the Aluminum Extrusion Industry. Over the years, we have been blessed to work with a team of good-natured, hard-working, and dedicated group of individuals.

Here’s what our VP of Sales and Marketing, Allan Bennett, has to say about the reception he’s received at Taber since joining two and a half years ago.

 

“The Taber culture is great… I’ve been here two and a half years and I feel very welcome. In fact, since all of our plants are in the South, an area I haven’t spent a lot of time in, I’ve come to realize that southern hospitality is a real thing. These are some good people to work with. Dedicated, hard-working, and they’re a lot of fun. I think the future of Taber is very bright. We have a lot of projects that we have been spending a lot of time trying to get to fruition, and it’s finally starting to happen. Taber has a very high ceiling – I think really, it’s an unlimited growth potential for us.”

As Taber continues to expand its scope and tap into the ever-developing aerospace and infrastructure industries, we couldn’t be happier to have a team like ours to back us up.

We encourage you to choose Taber Extrusions as your full-service partner. If you would like to learn more about our capabilities, or learn about Taber in general, give us a call at 888-985-5332.

Follow Taber on social media and never miss an update:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

15 11, 2017

Meet the New Taber Extrusions | Aluminum Extrusion Company

2017-11-15T18:10:42+00:00November 15th, 2017|

Since 1973, Taber Extrusions LLC has pioneered the extrusion of large, heavy and wide complex shapes to differentiate itself in the aluminum extrusion industry. Since its inception, the brand name Taber Extrusions has been synonymous with innovation, service and quality—all of which serve to make Taber Extrusions the premiere Aluminum Extrusion company. All of our extrusions have, and will continue to be engineered, manufactured and tested in the United States. Taber Extrusions maintains its headquarters at the Russellville, Arkansas facility, with a regional sales office at its Gulfport, Mississippi facility.

Today, Taber Extrusions continues to expand upon its operations and capabilities to retain the cutting-edge service that the company is known for and the aluminum extrusion industry deserves.

NEW ALUMINUM CAST HOUSE

Our recent aluminum cast house renovations now allow us to create aluminum billets in 8”, 9”, 11”, 16”, and 20” sizes, along with a 10” x 28” rectangular billet used only in-house on Taber’s 8600 ton press.  This gives Taber the capability to produce those ultra-wide extrusions.  We have unmatched access to the full range of aluminum alloys, without having to go through a middle man. Because Taber controls our billet casting, we have greater flexibility in our casting chemistry.
Learn more about our aluminum cast house renovations here: http://taberextrusions.com/aluminum-cast-house/

EXPANDED ALUMINUM EXTRUSION CAPABILITIES

We also continue our production of a wide range of aluminum extrusion sizes and shapes. Our aluminum extrusion capabilities utilize both hard and soft aluminum alloys—the kind found in aerospace, marine and military applications. The company’s profile capabilities range from industry standard extrusions to intricate custom designs that meet specific needs. Our standard shape catalog includes rods, hollows, channels, beams, angles, tees, zees, and bars in a wide range of sizes.

Learn more about our updated extrusion capabilities here: http://taberextrusions.com/aluminum-fabrication/

After all this time, why do our customers continue to return to Taber? It’s because we’re dedicated to innovation. We’re dedicated to finding intricate solutions for even the most complex extrusion request. While other Aluminum Extrusion Companies continue to focus on standard products and techniques, Taber’s work ethic and attention to the needs of the market allow Taber to create customized, versatile, high quality and market oriented products that can satisfy a wide range of applications.

Want to get in touch with Team Taber?  Contact information can be found in the link below:

http://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/

13 06, 2017

The Lightweight Revolution and Lightweight Aluminum

2017-07-26T17:47:10+00:00June 13th, 2017|

“Sometimes in life, you will find that you must let things go simply because they are heavy.” Of course, we are talking about the metal, steel, and aluminum market. We’re editors for an aluminum extrusion company, after all – so our primary interest is focusing on lightweight aluminum and where lightweight aluminum alloys stand in regard to the lightweight revolution that has infiltrated virtually every industry involving buildings, infrastructure systems, technology and transportation over recent years.

Everything is becoming lighter. Planes, trains, automobiles, and even Apples. (We know which Apples.) The reason for “lightweighting” is obvious: lower costs, smaller carbon footprint, stronger, more robust and corrosion-resistant products, and the big one… better fuel economy.  So how does lightweight aluminum fit into the picture? What are the “aluminum alloys to be reckoned with?” Are we going to find these super strong lightweight aluminum alloys in everyday items like bridges or automobiles?

Nope. Unless you’re an astronaut. Aerospace is where you’ll find 2XXX and 7XXX alloys. Military applications are a distant second. And not even a speck in the rearview mirror? Auto.

For more interesting tidbits like this, lightweight aluminum extrusion news, and Taber culture, visit the blog section of our website – or if you are interested in contacting us directly please e-mail info@taberextrusions.com or call us at 888-985-4913.

2XXX and 7XXX are the name of the game when it comes to “strong and light.” 2XXX alloys are aluminum-copper. Adding lithium to the mix creates an even higher strength alloy – AA2195 is one example. You’ll find these in Boeing airplanes and SpaceX rockets… but not in automobiles… lithium is expensive. Which is why 7000 series alloys are being considered for the automotive sector, but may not be as lightweight as the lithium-containing 2000 series alloys. (A glimpse of perspective: The only mass-produced aluminum is beverage cans, and that is 3XXX for the body and 5XXX for the top/lid.) The challenge to be met regarding 7XXX for automotive use is formability. 7XXX series alloys really like to remain flat, and testing techniques such as high temperature forming are expensive and slow. A rough comparison: 1 day of auto production = 1 year of airplane production.

Currently the strongest lightweight aluminum alloys are going to be found in low volume applications only. “Warm forming” of 2XXX and 7XXX can be found in aerospace and not automotive because the slower manufacturing process combined with the extra expense of alloying and energy (heating the metal and/or the tooling) are relatively low in aircraft manufacturing.   This process has a significantly higher percentage of total costs when it comes to manufacturing an automobile.  So, friends, it’s going to be a while until we see 7XXX in cars, and due to its expense, 2XXX will likely remain an aluminum alloy that stays in the sky.

Aluminum alloyed with anything after it on the periodic table will be heavier than pure aluminum. Aluminum alloyed with anything before it will be lighter. The further before, the greater lightweighting. Which is why Al-Li (lithium) are the lightest aluminum alloys.

A very special thank you to Daniel J. Schaeffler, Ph.D., President and CEO of Engineering Quality Solutions, for lending your thoughts, opinions, and pun ideas to our blogs.

11 04, 2017

Aluminum Alloys Keep Aircraft in the Sky

2017-07-26T17:49:21+00:00April 11th, 2017|

aluminum alloys

In the modern era, aluminum alloys are the integral element that keeps the aerospace industry on the cutting edge. Metallurgists are constantly seeking and developing new aluminum alloys to increase the speed, strength, and safety of aircraft. Strong alloys are used to protect aircraft from the stresses of flight; light alloys are used for heat and cold resistance and insulation.

Aluminum is naturally strong, lightweight and very workable. These powerful natural properties are enhanced by combining it with elements such as zinc, copper, and silicon to create a variety of aluminum alloys; some strong, some more malleable for complex aluminum shapes. Modern aircraft parts are made primarily from these alloys, and not just the frame- everything from the engine to the nuts and bolts are made from aluminum due to its attractive cost to weight ratio. Below, you will find some of the most common aluminum alloys found in aircraft, and what they’re used for.

 

Alloy 2024

One of the most common of the aluminum alloys, 2024 is primarily alloyed with copper, which gives it incredible strength and high fatigue resistance. This makes it the ideal alloy when a high strength to weight ratio is needed, making it perfect for wings and fuselages which are the parts of the aircraft that undergo the most tension.

Alloy 6061

Containing magnesium and silicon, aluminum alloy 6061 is very corrosive resistant and is known for its great weldability. The premiere alloy in aluminum extrusion, 6061 is also used to create fuselages and wings- but is very rarely found in airliners. Mostly, it’s used in small, personal airplanes.

Alloy 6063

Aluminum alloy 6063 is very similar to alloy 6061. Because of this, it’s the most popular alloy for aluminum extrusion.

Alloy 7075

Because of its light weight and incredible strength that is comparable to most steels, alloy 7075 is used for the main frame of aircraft structures. No other aluminum alloys can match 7075 in fatigue resistance, and its reliability is constantly being worked upon to create faster, safer and cheaper airplanes, and its great anodization quality gives it a great finish. Due to this alloy’s high copper content, it is hard to weld.

 

Sources:

http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-aluminum.php

http://metalspecialist.continentalsteel.com/blog/aluminum-in-the-aerospace-industry

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/aluminfo.php

 

For more about Taber and what we can do for your business, get in touch by e-mailing us at  info@taberextrusions.com

21 12, 2016

Taber CNC Machining Capabilities

2017-01-26T23:37:27+00:00December 21st, 2016|

Screen Shot 2016-12-21 at 10.52.06 AMTaber Extrusions is your full service partner from design to delivery. Our engieneers and designers work alongside you to turn your concept into a working product through our expert machining with a personal touch. CNC machining is used extensively by aluminum extrusion companies to increase efficiency and reduce error in all steps of the extrusion process, from casting, to extrusion and beyond. Our mission is to fully understand the machining needs of our customers’ aluminum extrusion-based products. Taber’s remarkable attention to the needs of the market position the company to provide customized, versatile, high-quality market-oriented products that can satisfy a wide range of applications.

Our Haas VF-7 is a rugged, large-sized VMC that yields full reliability and accuracy in a large-framed machine. The VF-7 has a 40-taper cartridge spindle driven by a 30 hp vector Dual-Drive (Y-Delta) drive. The VF-7 produces either 75 ft-lb of torque at a low 1400 rpm, or 250 ft-lb at 450 rpm with the optional 2-speed gearbox — and will also run up to 8,100 rpm in 1.2 seconds for finishing aluminum.

Haas VF-7 Video:

 

Up next the Emmegi Satellite XT allows for efficient work-piece machining advantages in pendulum mode including multiple set-ups. The work space of our longbed machining center can be divided into two areas, granting us the ability to load and unload on one side while machining on the other side. This level of efficiency in a machining process in return saves our customers money and time.

Emmegi Satellite XT Video:

The HMC500 comes fully loaded with features for incredibly fast cycle times. Achieving 20% faster rapid and acceleration than our phenomenally fast HM500S machine, the HMC500 is constructed with a lightweight column featuring a rigid stepped X axis rail design. This column enables a rapid feed rate of 63 meters per minute, 2480 inches per minute, with acceleration of 1G.

HMC500 Video:

Finally, through highly accurate scanning technologies, our Zeiss CMM has the ability to capture a fully defined 3D measurement for any of our extruded and fabricated profiles. Having this capability allows us to maintain the highest levels of quality by having our profiles extruded the right way- every time.

Zeiss CMM Video:

For more information or to request a quote, please call us today ay (800) 563-6853 or e-mail us at info@taberextrusions.com

8 11, 2016

The International Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition

2017-01-26T23:37:27+00:00November 8th, 2016|

ScholarshipThe Aluminum Extruders Council, which Taber Extrusions is a member of, has recently announced the 2017 International Aluminum Design Competition. Download the Call for Entries HERE.

The competition is aimed towards graduates, undergraduates, and high school students, who will compete to win over $8,500 cash in scholarships. The competition is intended to enlighten students studying architecture, design, and engineering about the many advantages of extruded aluminum profiles. The Aluminum Extruders Council hopes to encourage students to think outside the box to come up with new, inventive, and resourceful uses for extruded aluminum! The AEC has given out over $200,000 in awards throughout the lifetime of the contest.

FOR STUDENTS: Download the 2017 Design Competition entry form HERE.

FOR INSTRUCTORS: The AEC has made available an educational presentation on the contest, the advantages of aluminum extrusion, and some design tips. Implementing the competition into your curriculum is an excellent opportunity to expose your students to aluminum design and the benefits of aluminum extrusion. You can download the presentation in its entirety here.

Best of luck to all applicants! Entries are due no later than March 27, 2017.

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