Cara, Author at Taber Extrusions

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So far Cara has created 10 blog entries.

12 06, 2023

Taber Extrusions Applauds Senator Cotton and Aluminum Extruders Council for Call to Reform Tariff Exclusion for American Extrusion Products

Cara2023-06-12T20:22:35+00:00June 12th, 2023|

Consensus amongst U.S. aluminum extrusion leaders in support of Senator Tom Cotton for spearheading effort in calling for DOC to give heed to threats to the American aluminum extrusion industry and its workers from untariffed imports.

Russellville, Arkansas – June 9 2023 – U.S. aluminum extrusion leader Taber Extrusions voices their support of Senator Tom Cotton for initiating the effort to ask the Department of Commerce (DOC) for immediate attention in protecting the American aluminum industry against foreseeable pitfall. Other supporters of Cotton include The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), Senators Mitt Romney, Sherrod Brown, Debbie Stabenow, Rafael Warnock, Bob Casey, and Marco Rubio – who also signed the letter.

“The aluminum extrusion industry is a crucial player in a myriad of areas of our country’s economy. Our military and defense sectors depend upon us to deliver resources in a consistent manner, and this tariff puts this in jeopardy.” says Jason Weber, V.P. of Marketing & Sales at Taber Extrusions.

A recent DOC report stated that rising aluminum imports “are ‘weakening our internal economy’ and threaten to impair the national security as defined in Section 232” and imposed a 10% tariff in response. As a result, aluminum imports fell by 31% and domestic production rose by nearly a billion dollars between 2018-2021. As such, the DOC noted in public remarks that “the data shows that those tariffs have been effective.” Because of these overly-broad tariff exclusion rules, these tariffs may have helped limit unfair foreign competition for principal aluminum producers – but don’t protect domestic aluminum extruders. The DOC also adopted a “General Approved Exclusion or “GAE” process whereby importers of foreign-made aluminum extrusions are granted automatic exclusion to the Aluminum 232 tariffs.

According to the AEC, “The General Approved Exclusions rules are unfair to American aluminum extruders and as a result foreign imports have risen 82 percent and market penetration now exceeds 25 percent, the highest level in more than a decade… (US) extruders have been forced to cut shifts, capital investment, and production, putting this robust industry at risk and costing our nation nearly 9,000 jobs. Extrusion plants could be shuttered if these trends continue, which will hurt American workers and undermine America’s defense industrial base.”

Taber Extrusions, alongside Senator Cotton and the AEC urges the DOC to revoke the GAE related to aluminum extrusions and revise the criteria upon which objections can be filed.

The full Senate letter can be accessed HERE.

Taber Extrusions a minority business enterprise, fully integrated with In-house casting, extrusion, and fabrication, IS0 9001, AS9100, and NADCAP certified, and offers alloys in 2xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx, and 7xxx series with extrusion sizes ranging from less than 1 lb./ft. up to 140 lbs./ft. Taber is a leading supplier of aluminum extrusions purposed for Military and Department of Defense, and offers a diverse range of products and services while simultaneously maintaining a high level of customer care and support.

Connect at www.taberextrusions.com or call directly 888.985.5332.

22 02, 2022

Meet Taber President Charles Stout

Cara2022-03-02T21:56:19+00:00February 22nd, 2022|

Formal title at Taber

President

Job duties & responsibilities

Responsible for the overall performance of Taber Extrusions

Where did you work prior to Taber; same industry or something totally different?

I have spent the previous 5+ years at another aluminum extrusion company. Prior to that I worked in different industries focused on Aerospace, Defense, and Automotive. Before venturing into the world of manufacturing, I spent almost 10 years in the United States navy as a Nuclear Machinist’s Mate Chief.

What do you hope to bring to Taber in terms of leadership and company culture?

Taber has a lot of strengths and a great reputation. What I hope to bring is a renewed focus on ownership, accountability, focus, and driving results.

When you’re not at work, what would we find you doing?

I spend most of my free time with my family or working on projects at home. I also enjoy sports and love College football. Many have also learned quickly that I am an avid reader / Audible listener. I am in a constant state of learning both personally and professionally.

Hometown?

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky but grew up on my grandparent’s farm in southern Indiana.

Family, children?

I have been married to my wife Denice for 28 years and we have 2 great kids. Our daughter Ashley is 26 and works as a Physician Assistant (PA) in the intensive care burn unit at the university of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill, NC. Our son Dustin is 24 and he lives with us. He was diagnosed with autism at a very young age, and he is non-verbal but uses his iPad to communicate. He is my greatest teacher as I have learned to communicate in ways I never had before. He has also provided lessons in empathy and not underestimating anyone’s potential or abilities.

Favorite part about working for Taber so far?

People – everyone has been very welcoming, and they have been willing to answer my multitude of questions. No matter where you work it ultimately comes down to people that determines if you will be successful.

What sets Taber apart from other companies that deliver the exact same things?

I really don’t believe any other company can deliver the exact same thing Taber does. We have had some struggles lately but the capabilities we possess coupled with excellent customer service cannot be matched in the industry.

Taber is growing rapidly. Any advice for those looking to join the Taber team?

Strap in and hold on.

What do you think the future holds for Taber?

The future is determined by our collective vision, efforts, and results. Where we go and how we perform is all about what we do as a team and has very little to do with what is going on around us.

More About Taber Extrusions:

Today, Taber Extrusions has completed the addition of in-house friction stir welding capabilities, and carries on their offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market – making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never before seen in North America.

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.

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com or call us at (888) 985-5319.

3 01, 2022

Taber Extrusions: The Shape of Endless Possibilities Since 1973

Cara2022-02-03T22:46:16+00:00January 3rd, 2022|

Taber Extrusions has extrusions in the name, but it’s really a full-service aluminum extrusion company. Taber controls it all, from the casting of the billet, the extrusion process, fabrication, and finally, the logistics.

Taber possesses a commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations by providing both products and customer service levels that are of the highest quality. This commitment is at the core of their operating philosophy.

Taber Extrusions History

Taber Extrusions was founded in 1973, when the Taber family acquired an aluminum extrusion plant in Russellville, Arkansas from Dow Chemical (which had originally built the plant in 1970). National Material Company L.P. (NMLP) later purchased the company in 1976. The Arkansas facility was originally dedicated to the production of specific military-related, large, wide, and long extrusions for the U.S. government.

Taber’s Russellville facility houses the largest rectangular aluminum extrusion press in North America, which uniquely positions Taber to extrude super-wide shapes – much more comprehensively than is possible with traditional round containers. This rectangular container allows them to supply some of the industry’s widest, most complex, multi-void hollows.

In 1995, the Gulfport, Mississippi facility was acquired in response to the growing need in the domestic market for aluminum billet products. Taber added 7″ billet molds to their existing extrusion billet casting profile.

With the intention to expand even further, in 2015, Taber upgraded the Russellville fabrication facility even more. By 2017, Taber’s aluminum cast house expansion was completed and acquired 7″, 9″, 11″, 16″, 20″, and 10″ x 20″ rectangular billet molds.

Taber completed the relocation and start-up of its micro-extrusion press lines in 2018. This greatly expanded their supply possibilities with extrusion solutions, programs, and services. Taber’s newest ultra-precision extrusion manufacturing lines have a product envelope with a circle size of 3 inches or less and a weight per foot of 1 lb. or less. The micro-extrusion presses differ from traditional extrusion presses in that they can produce extrusions with a wall thickness of 0.010 inches and tolerances of +/- 0.001 inches. Designers and engineers can use these micro-extrusion production centers to develop profiles that would otherwise be impossible to extrude using conventional presses.

Angle on 8 new shovels with white Taber Extrusions hard hats resting neatly on each shovel handle, resting on holders just beyond a mound of freshly turned dirt from a nicely manicured lawn area in front of Taber’s Russellville, Arkansas aluminum extrusion facility.

In April 2019, Taber held a groundbreaking ceremony to announce its newest in-house FSW capability, making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never before seen in North America.

Congressman Steve Womack described how he sees Taber’s role from both a local and national perspective:

“The expansion of an existing company such as Taber Extrusions means a lot more than the location of a new company. It means that Taber is in the right place and has what it needs to succeed. Taber plays an important role in the defense of our nation with products that are an asset to our defense capabilities.”

“This was an obvious next-step for Taber,” said Jason Weber, V.P. of Sales and Marketing, in an article by Light Metal Age Magazine. “The company was founded in 1973, and never stopped diversifying, adding new capabilities, and technologies. We are known for aluminum extrusions, fabrication, billet casting, ultra-precision extrusions. Friction stir welding was going to happen eventually.”

As for the most recent addition to Taber’s extrusion capabilities, they announced the Haas VF-12 CNC. This one-of-a-kind machine allows Taber’s top engineers to design optimal extrusion shapes using specialized software to have them made within this “self-contained factory,” all in one precise and effective process.

Weber had this to say about their 2021 machining center expansion –

“We will continue to invest in technologies that provide the widest scope of services in the aluminum extrusion industry. The Haas VF-12 CNC machine is yet another example of our willingness to invest and deliver the widest scope of services across the aluminum extrusion continuum.”

See our company timeline infographic here.

Helping Shape Our Community

Taber cares about the communities in which their employees live and work. Their goal is to provide their employees with a safe and secure workplace that has an emphasis on personal and professional development, as well as cultivating an attitude focused on delivering genuine and reliable service. Excellent customer service will always stand out, and Taber enjoys the many long-term relationships which have developed over the years because of the personal accountability that they give to their customers.

Forming and shaping the identity of a community is one of the greatest things about Taber’s position. Not only are local businesses like Taber a crucial element in creating a culture for the community, but they also build connections and relationships with the people.

Work at Taber Extrusions

As an aluminum extruder with extremely broad and unique capabilities there is no question that Taber’s employees have been the foundation of their success. They have developed an atmosphere where people are respected and appreciated. The Taber family plans to continue to foster careers that are right for their people, and right for their business. There is no question: Taber’s employees power their success.

Pictured above: Taber Extrusions took home National Material L.P.’s 2018 Safety Excellence Award for exceptional safety management at their Russellville, Arkansas facility.

Taber is growing fast, and we are seeking talent in engineering, operations, sales, and more! You may be exactly what we’re looking for in our vision for future growth. Feel free to apply and place your resume in our database. We have an extensive community of career opportunities, and we are always on the hunt for great talent and professionals. You can also apply to an open position which will either match you to your next career move or place you in our network to receive job updates.

View our open career listings here!

Taber Extrusions: Summary

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude extra-large aluminum extrusion 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 state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, micro-extrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area 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. With in-house casting solutions, ultra-precision extrusion manufacturing, friction stir welding capacities, and a full range of hard and soft aluminum alloys, Taber continues to align itself as an industry leader in having the broadest available capabilities.

Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its recently added VF-12 CNC machining line and a full offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market. Adding these capabilities to a growing portfolio propels Taber into the future in a quest to continuously improve the quality and service we provide to our customers.

Thank you for your continued support of Taber Extrusions, LLC. If you have any questions, please visit taberextrusions.com or contact one of Taber’s regional sales managers.

Follow Taber Extrusions

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

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

3 12, 2021

The Gift of Aluminum Extrusion: How Extrusion Technology Shapes Our World

Cara2022-02-03T22:57:53+00:00December 3rd, 2021|

An photograph of extruded aluminum pieces with a white graphic rectangle that reads “The Gift of Aluminum Extrusion: How Extrusion Technology Shapes Our World.”

Technology is commonly defined as the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life, or, as it is sometimes phrased, the change and manipulation of the human environment. Aluminum extrusion technology is one such innovation that continues to change the world for the better. Before we bring light to this time-honored approach to aluminum processing, we should first know where it all began.

The Beginnings of Aluminum Extrusion

Before 1825, the complexities of refining aluminum from ore made aluminum a rare and precious metal that was more valuable than silver and gold. Thanks to a successful smelting process invented by Charles Martin Hall and Paul Heroult, aluminum paved its way into the commercial sector. The invention of smelting gave rise to better technology that could fully take advantage of the unique attributes of aluminum. In 1894, Alexander Dick achieved just that when he developed the hot extrusion process. This process allowed non-ferrous alloys to be extruded, and the first aluminum extrusion press was in production by 1904. Over the years, with modern technology, extrusions can now be more precise and accurate.

A picture of a child’s generic plastic playdough-style extruder squishing out a red textured noodle-like log (or “billet”) of modeling clay next to 2 containers filled with blue and red “dough.”

Aluminum Properties Made Simple

In essence, aluminum extrusion technology can be compared to popular child’s modeling clay. Playdough can be smashed, folded, and molded into any shape. The material can also be squeezed through an extrusion-type machine passing through various-sized and shaped holes (just like die casts!) to become an entirely different shape destined for a brand-new use. The possibilities are only limited to one’s imagination. A young scientist at work…

In the world of aluminum extrusion technology, the process of forming aluminum begins with a raw aluminum. While this metal is the most abundant on Earth, it rarely comes in its pure form. Alumina is made from bauxite. After that, the material must undergo smelting and an alloying process involving many alloying elements such as copper, magnesium, silicon, and manganese. Finally, the aluminum is ready for the extrusion process. An aluminum billet is preheated then forcibly compressed through a smaller opening. Besides the aluminum alloy combination, many factors determine the quality and properties of the final product, such as the billet length, the billet heat, aluminum profiles, and the extrusion speed. Despite varying results, a freshly made aluminum extrusion is hardly ever used in a real-world commercial application. Most aluminum extrusion products adhere to specifications which meet the needs of each industry.

Among the many reasons of how aluminum extrusions shape our world, aside from being incredibly strong, aluminum weighs only a third of other common commercial metals like iron, steel, and copper. This makes aluminum more economical in applications where fuel economy is an important factor such as in the transportation sector. Additionally, this metal is exceptionally resilient, allowing it to bend and spring back after substantial impacts, making it a top choice for automotive crash management systems.

A photograph of a modern building made entirely of a reflective metal.

Remember that playdough analogy? Well, aluminum’s malleability makes this metal easy to work with throughout the design and extrusion process. An aluminum extrusion can be tailored to meet all possible needs in terms of function and aesthetics.

Aluminum Extrusions and Energy

Photograph of mounted solar panels in a field of green grass.

Aluminum extrusions also play a role in energy generation. Compared to other metals, aluminum has high electrical conductivity, making it preferential for energy distribution. Aluminum is also essential in structural and racking solutions for systems that collect solar power when generating green energy. Aluminum, and by extension, aluminum extrusions, is one of the most sustainable metals out there. The icing on the cake? Aluminum is infinitely recyclable without losing any of its above properties.

The aluminum industry has had to evolve to accommodate the growing needs of various industries that utilize aluminum extrusions. Within the United States’ aluminum industry, Taber Extrusions is a leader in quality products and customer satisfaction, firmly believing in collaborative work with customers to find unique solutions to queries that our ever-changing world presents. Taber’s extensive aluminum extrusion capabilities allow the creation of all kinds of designs for a variety of industries.

ABOUT TABER EXTRUSIONS

Taber Extrusions, located in Russellville, AR and Gulfport, MS, is highly regarded as a provider of aluminum extrusions to a wide variety of industries including aerospace, infrastructure, transportation, defense, and thermal management. ISO 9001 and AS 9100 certified, Taber’s present and future customers can expect to see increased supply opportunities with the expanded set of extrusion solutions, programs, and services.

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 new state of the art cast house and two additional presses, micro-extrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area has been expanded multiple times. The most recent expansion was the addition of the new Haas VF-12 CNC machining line. 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 of its friction stir welding capabilities, and full offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market.

Follow Taber Extrusions

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

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Are you interested in joining the Taber Team? Send your resume to: careers@taberextrusions.com

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com or call us at (888) 985-5319.

22 11, 2021

From Friction Stir Welding to Micro Extrusions: Leading Aluminum Extruder Taber is Vertically Integrated

Cara2021-11-22T21:52:41+00:00November 22nd, 2021|

Taber Extrusions, located in Russellville, AR and Gulfport, MS, is a highly regarded provider of aluminum extrusions to a wide variety of industries including aerospace, infrastructure, transportation, defense, and thermal management. A minority-owned business enterprise which is ISO 9001, AS 9100, NADCAP, and ABS certified, Taber’s present and future customers can expect to see increased supply opportunities with the expanded set of extrusion solutions, programs, and services.

Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its added friction stir welding capabilities, full offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services and raw material supply to the North American market. The addition of in-house FSW capabilities makes Taber Extrusions a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never seen before in North America.

ALUMINUM EXTRUSIONS

Known as a leading aluminum extruder, Taber offers a full range of aluminum alloys including hard, soft, marine, and armor grade. Choose from 2000, 5000, 6000, and 7000 grades with custom chemistries available for specific metal fabrication needs. Taber’s aluminum extrusions range spans from less than 1 lb./ft. to over 140 lbs./ft., making Taber the broadest extruders of aluminum profiles in the industry. Their multi-void hollow capability is up to 29” wide, and they can produce solid extrusions up to 31” wide. As part of Taber’s value-added approach, they offer design assistance for custom and specialty aluminum profiles.

Taber also offers the only 28” x 10” rectangular container size in North America.

In a rectangular container, uniform metal flow in width and thickness of wider bars and profiles, the following is achieved in contrast to round container of similar geometry:

The flatness can be controlled to within 75% of AA specification on wide panel, multivoid hollow profiles of up to 29” width.
Contour on most profiles can be controlled as per the spec without secondary operations.
Superior dimension control and consistency throughout the length of the extruded profile.

FABRICATION CAPABILITIES

An extreme close-up photo of a CNC machine spindle with the words, “Introducing new state of the art aluminum fabrication facility – dedicated to innovation” in print on the right side.

Taber’s aluminum fabrication capabilities include precision sawing, horizontal machining and manufacturing, extra-large CNC machining, 5-axis CNC machining, multi-axis machining, and a vertical machining center. Taber’s cut tolerances cover length and squareness of cut (up to +/- .050″) across a maximum 36″ width (minimum cut length of .75″). These precision saw-cutting capabilities for rod & bar/standard extruded shapes and customized aluminum extrusion profiles saw cut with greater accuracy, providing their customers with a product precise enough to be loaded directly into their machining centers. The precision cut blanks save customers time and money compared to having to cut mill lengths in-house.

Machinery — Aluminum CNC machining services:

Haas VF-12… COMING SOON!! (Link to latest blog on this topic)
Haas VF-7
EMMEGI Satellite XT
OKK Horizontal Machining Center
Zeiss CMM

Machinery – Aluminum precision cutting & sawing services:

BO Saws B-800
Marvel Band Saw

Visit Taber Extrusions’ Fabrication web page for videos and details!

ALUMINUM CAST HOUSE

Taber Extrusion’s brightly lit, modernized Gulfport, Mississippi cast house, focus is on 16 large, stacked aluminum billets.

With the completion of a 2017 cast house modernization, Taber has increased its billet capacity by over 30%, expanded its range of high quality aluminum alloys (hard, soft, marine, aerospace, and defense), and enabled the use of more diverse scrap material in its process, allowing for the production of billet with high recycled content. “We have evolved into a fully integrated supplier with control over our raw materials by casting the alloys and diameters necessary to feed our extrusion presses,” says Eric Angermeier, President of Taber Extrusions.

Eric Angermeier, President of Taber Extrusions, seated at his desk with a welcoming smile.

“Our recent cast house modernization has significantly increased the billet quality that will flow through all aspects of our business. Our capabilities to serve diverse markets are greatly enhanced and we now have capacity for third party sales of extrusion billet and large forging stock,” Angermeier adds. (Read full article in Light Metal Age magazine here.)

Taber launched their “Billets Straight to You” (aluminum billets for immediate sale) campaign in 2020, which includes aluminum alloys 6061 and 6063, with 6005, 6005A, 6082 available upon request.

Taber Extrusion’s magazine ad showing a photo of billets being dipped for cooling by a Taber-branded billet lift, and the “Aluminum Alloys Straight to You” information, which is the same content provided in this article.

MICRO-EXTRUSIONS

Taber’s micro-extrusion manufacturing lines have a production envelope with a circle size of 3 inches or less and a weight per foot of 1 lb. or less. For comparison, the 8,600 ton press in Taber’s Russellville facility produces profiles with a minimum weight of 4 lbs. per foot.

Unlike traditional extrusion presses, these micro-extrusion presses are built to allow for the production of extrusions with wall thicknesses of 0.010 inches and tolerance capabilities of +/- 0.001 inches. These miniature extrusion production centers allow designers and engineers the freedom to create profiles that are un-extrudable through conventional presses.

Jason Weber, V.P. of Sales and Marketing at Taber Extrusions, wearing a light blue oxford and a white Polo zip-up sweater, smiling for the camera.

“As computers get smaller and smaller, the heat sinks used in those computers need to likewise get smaller… they can also be used in industrial applications, with housings for sensors, and in military applications, as components for drones. So, there’s a lot of market potential for micro-extrusions,” explains Jason Weber, Taber V.P. of Sales and Marketing, in Light Metal Age Magazine, 2018.

FRICTION STIR WELDING

Taber’s FSW capabilities include simultaneous two-side welding, double wall hollow extrusions up to 6.25 inches tall, 32 inches wide, and accepts lengths up to 65 feet long. Taber’s friction stir welding production cell is capable of creating panel assemblies 200 inches wide by 65 feet long, with integrated pre-joining profile trimming. With profile widths up to 31 inches, lengths up to 65 feet, and ability to weld up to 3/4 of an inch in a single pass, Taber has an operational envelope that is unmatched within the industry.

Friction stir welding is commonly used in the rail, automotive, marine & shipbuilding industries, military & defense, commercial & industrial construction, infrastructure, and in aviation & aerospace.

The addition of in-house FSW capabilities makes Taber Extrusions a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never seen before in North America.

“This was an obvious next-step for Taber,” said Jason Weber, V.P. of Sales and Marketing, in a 2019 article by Light Metal Age Magazine, “the company was founded in 1973, and never stopped diversifying, adding new capabilities, and technologies. We are known for aluminum extrusions, fabrication, billet casting, ultra-precision extrusions. Friction stir welding was going to happen eventually.”

LEADING ALUMINUM EXTRUDER TABER

INDUSTRIES SERVED:

Government/military
Aircraft/aerospace
Marine/shipbuilding
Infrastructure
Electronics
Medical
Transportation
Rail car
Mining
Industrial
Agricultural
Sporting goods
Custom shapes for most any application

Taber Extrusions is a full-service partner with an unwavering commitment to consistently meeting and exceeding customer expectations by providing both products and service of the highest quality. This commitment is at the core of everything they do… making certain that whatever you can dream, they can give it shape.

Thank you for your continued support of Taber Extrusions. If you have any questions please visit taberextrusions.com or contact one of our Regional Sales Representatives.

Follow Taber Extrusions:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/taberextrusions/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

3 11, 2021

The Evolution of The Aluminum Alloy

Cara2022-02-03T22:03:03+00:00November 3rd, 2021|

A large, futuristic, triangular aluminum roof supported by three tall pillars cuts into a cloudy sky, while the light of a bright sun peeks out from one of the edges.

The story of human dominance over nature really begins at metalworking with bronze. Bronze represents humanity’s first steps in substantively transforming the essence of the object around them, rather than just manipulating the physical shape of naturally occurring materials.

The sharp head of a stone spear made sometime in the Stone Age.

Since the introduction of bronze more than 10,000 years ago, metallurgy has continued to evolve. Most of the “giant leaps” in metalworking occurred thousands of years ago, but the technological age has brought about unprecedented advances of its own. Many of the advances piggybacked on the slow progression of past eras, as is the case with steel. However, aluminum stands out for its rise as a brand new, never seen before metal that arrived to chart the course for a new era of human progress.

This “metal, that looked like silver, but was too light to be silver” appears in the Roman history books of Pliny the Elder. He tells of how the Roman emperor saw the beauty and versatility of the metal, and, afraid of what its discovery could do to the price of silver, ordered the beheading of the only chemist capable of producing aluminum. The chemist, who claimed only he and the gods knew the secret of making aluminum, took the secret to his grave. From then, the gods were slow in trusting the secret to humans again. In fact, it wasn’t until 1825 that chemist Hans-Christian Orsted produced the first pure aluminum. This Danish scientist got to keep his head and the honor of introducing the world to a game-changing element.

In a period picture depicting the Middle Ages, a metal goblet is passed between two people, only their arms and part of one of their torsos can be seen.

With aluminum in hand, a whole new world opened to engineers and manufacturers. A lightweight, durable, corrosive-resistant, conductive, tasteless, and versatile metal immediately transformed the possibilities for industries, from aerospace and transportation to food and beverage. Soon aluminum, which at first was considered a royal, luxury metal, would find its way into everyone’s home through consumer products such as cars and appliances.

A photograph of the top of a cluster of red, aluminum canned drinks, with condensation droplets forming all over the cans.

Fueled by these past successes, aluminum continues to be a forward-looking material. Innovation characterizes this industry, focused on pushing the boundaries of the youngest member of the great metal family. Today’s research and development in the aluminum industry focuses on testing and understanding aluminum alloys.

To make these alloys, aluminum is melted and then mixed with other elements such as zinc, magnesium, and copper, among many others. Each alloy has a different set of characteristics, and consequently a different set of uses. In order to streamline the transition of these elements from research to application, aluminum alloys are assigned a four-digit number, where the first number indicates the main element that is alloyed with the aluminum. Some alloys, such as the ones found in the 3xxx series (Manganese), are great as cooking utensils, while other alloys, such as the 7xxx (Zinc) series, are perfect for aircraft. This classification of aluminum alloys gives end-users a guide by which they can pinpoint the aluminum alloy to fit their needs.

A photograph of the underbelly of a large commercial airplane where the engines, wings, and fuselage are visible and far above, another plane flies high in the air, leaving behind white contrails.

Specialized aluminum alloys can be found in our power lines, skyscrapers, appliances, automobiles, aircraft, and consumer products, from soda cans to refrigerators. Perhaps the only thing greater than aluminum’s achievements are the promises for tomorrow. From increased electrical conduction, to stronger, more lightweight aluminum, many of the world’s industries count on aluminum alloys to make their own progress possible. In this way, aluminum alloys are a keystone for the world’s continued technological progression.

At Taber Extrusions, our job is to keep up with every twist and turn in the exciting world of aluminum, so that we can deliver the perfect aluminum alloy for the job. Our intricate, precision extrusions embody our attention to detail and understanding of the nuanced world of aluminum. Taber uses a wide scope of aluminum alloys to deliver quality aluminum extrusions according to customer specifications. That means, every product is tailor made, in substance and in shape.

Many ages have gone by since the first humans began shaping the natural world to their liking. Many, too, have gone by since we began using the power of chemistry to create the perfect materials. At Taber, we take our place within these traditions of progress and innovation, and are proud to work with aluminum, the metal of the future. Come take advantage of our aluminum extrusion expertise and best practices in the sector to meet your needs today!

ABOUT TABER EXTRUSIONS

Today, Taber Extrusions is a vertically-integrated supplier of friction stir welding panels and assemblies in North America not previously seen – offering extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw materials.

Follow Taber Extrusions

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

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Are you interested in joining the Taber Team? Send your resume to: careers@taberextrusions.com

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/ or call us at (888) 985-5319.

14 10, 2021

Taber Extrusions Social Study: Aluminum’s Economic Impact

Cara2021-10-14T02:28:11+00:00October 14th, 2021|

A photograph of a piece of paper, a dark blue pushpin is affixed at the top of a bar graph alongside a blue pen below which are the words “Taber Extrusion Social Study: Aluminum’s Economic Impact.”

Aluminum is everywhere. Many of the conveniences of modern life would not be possible without it. It is a crucial element for modern innovative applications, for sustainability, and also for the progress of the economy. Its strong and lightweight features and ability to be infinitely recycled propelled the U.S. aluminum industry to become the backbone of the nation’s manufacturing base. With the findings of research conducted by John Dunham & Associates and released by the Aluminum Association, this blog will delve deeper into the impact of aluminum on the United States’ economy.

An image of a person wearing a black helmet and a thick red jacket welding a piece of metal, with green light sparking out of the welding machinery.

The Aluminum Industry Generates Jobs

Several challenges have been presented to the industry in recent years, still, the aluminum market has shown a great deal of resilience. Even though the aluminum industry faced several challenges, including many job losses, growth in downstream segments like flat-rolled products and extrusions provided a way to compensate.

Today, the American aluminum industry directly employs over 166,000 people that generate more than 170 billion dollars in economic output. In addition, over 494,000 workers are indirectly employed, which contributes another 102 billion dollars to economic activity. As a whole, over 660,000 U.S. jobs are supported by the production, processing, and use of aluminum. Those employed in the aluminum industry earn an average yearly salary that is above the national average. Indirect employees contribute 44 billion dollars in wages and benefits to the economy. When all employment supported by the industry is considered, these jobs generate nearly 16 billion dollars in federal, state, and local taxes.

An image of the tops of a bunch of shiny, unopened aluminum cans beneath a gray banner with the word “Recyclable” and a graphic of the green recycling symbol next to it.

Aluminum Recycling Generates High-Value Economic Impact

Aside from being strong and lightweight, aluminum also has the advantage of retaining its properties, making it one of the most recyclable materials. Having said that, the aluminum industry has recycled more than 70 percent of its output since it was established.

Aluminum recycling conserves more than 90 percent of the energy costs required in primary production. Recycling a pound of aluminum saves about 7 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Also, it is the only material in the consumer disposal stream that generates a greater return than the cost of its collection. Every minute, an average of 113,000 aluminum cans are recycled. The aluminum industry pays a tremendous amount of money to replace empty aluminum cans. With the recycling of aluminum, specifically aluminum cans, charitable organizations have been developed and supported for decades and more decades to come.

An image of cylindrical billets of aluminum resting on top of each other with beams of wood between each of them and green bands to hold them in place.

Aluminum is a major contributor to the nation’s manufacturing base and economy, supporting thousands of jobs in many communities and regions. Over 660,000 workers are employed by the industry, which generates 170 billion dollars in economic output each year. Moreover, aluminum is considered to be a sustainable metal. This means it can be recycled multiple times without the risk of degrading breaking. Taber Extrusions understands the important role that aluminum plays in the nation’s economy and contributes to that role by providing various processing services related to aluminum. A few of these services include aluminum extrusions, micro extrusions, billet casting, aluminum fabrication, and friction stir welding.

ABOUT TABER

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions is the pioneer of extruding rectangular billet, allowing the company to manufacture solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollow profiles up to 29 inches wide. With the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS, Taber expanded its capabilities with a state-of-the-art cast house, two additional presses, micro extrusion capability, and numerous fabrication expansions.

Taber continues to extrude billets in an array of alloys and sizes. Its markets have expanded beyond the military to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in various soft and hard alloys.

Today, Taber Extrusions is a vertically integrated supplier of friction stir welding panels and assemblies in North America not previously seen – offering extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw materials.

Follow Taber Extrusions

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

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Are you interested in joining the Taber Team? Send your resume to: careers@taberextrusions.com

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com or call us at (888) 985-5319.

15 09, 2021

6000 Series Aluminum Alloys

Cara2021-10-15T17:30:08+00:00September 15th, 2021|

An artistly presented sheet of aluminum with a vague reflection of red and blue shapes behind a charcoal colored rectangle across the center of the picture with the words: “6000 SERIES ALUMINUM ALLOYS.”

An Aluminum alloy is created when aluminum is mixed with other elements such as silicon or magnesium and other elements. There are many benefits to using alloyed metals as opposed to pure metals, as alloys allow us to extract the desirable properties and leave the undesirable ones behind. Aluminum by itself is great, but by integrating other elements into the mix, we have the opportunity to introduce various degrees of hardness, durability, ductility, tensile strength, and toughness.

Combined with its great strength, corrosion resistance, and other excellent qualities, you have a perfectly suited alloys for a multitude of uses in numerous end applications. Extrusion companies, such as Taber, offer manufacturers a wide variety of aluminum alloys to be specified by the customer depending on the applications in such industries as infrastructure, automotive, and appliances. This article dives into the topic of aluminum alloys, specifically the most predominant alloy family used for aluminum extrusions — 6000 series aluminum alloys.

In one of our previous blog posts, we defined an alloy as a mixture of metals, and in the case of aluminum alloys, the all alloys contain between 90 and 96% aluminum. Different alloy mixtures are classified into a series according to their unique characteristics. A four-digit number is used to identify alloy mixtures. The first digit of the number identifies the series (class) of alloy they belong to:

A simple table listing aluminum alloy series, alloying elements, and alloy categories: 1000 series, 2000 series, 3000 series, 4000 series, 5000 series, 6000 series, and 7000 series.

The 6000 series is an aluminum alloy family which contains magnesium and silicon as predominat alloying components. The remarkable properties of 6000 alloys are their extrudability, excellent strength, and high corrosion resistance. 6000 sereies alloys can also be thermally treated to enhance their strength properties. Extrusion products in the 6000 series are perfect choices for structural and architectural applications.

Taber offers a wide range of 6000 series aluminum alloys including 6061, 6063, 6082, 6005, and 6005A.

A variety of 3D rendered extruded aluminum motor housing images from the Taber Extrusions website.

6061 alloy

6061 is very popular for its characteristic toughness in medium- to high-strength applications. It is the most versatile and most used alloy of all the other 6000 series alloys because of its heat treatability and comparably easy machining and welding. 6061 alloys contain magnesium and silicon, which gives them a much greater corrosion resistance even on abraded surfaces.

Uses of this form of 6000 series alloy include applications from transportation, to infrastructure to more every day uses like fly fishing reels, firearm suppressors, non-flight critical aircraft components and automotive components. 6061 is available in many forms, including extrusion sheets, and forgings.

6063 alloy

6063 is also an aluminum alloy with magnesium and silicon. First, it has lower magnesium and silicon levels, it is only half as strong as 6061, making it suited for applications where strength is not the fundamental consideration. Secondly, with the lower amounts of alloying components, achieving higher surface finish criteria is also possible.

Common uses for 6063 alloys include door and window frames, non-load-bearing posts, roofs, decorative structures, railings, furniture, parts for boats and motor vehicles, and electrical components such as conduit pipes, and tubes for irrigation systems. 6063 alloys are highly corrosion resistant which prevents environmental deterioration.

6082 alloy

6082 alloy is generally known as “structural alloy” and provides one of the highest strengths of all the 6000 series aluminum alloys. It is a good alternative for engineers who don’t want to invest in the stronger 2xxx/7xxx series and also enables the ability to extrude more complex shapes not posible in 2xxx/7xxx alloys. 6082 is an alloy with silicon and manganese. It is commonly known for machining, and it also features excellent weldability, cold formability, and corrosion resistance. Its high amount of manganese allows it to control its grain structure, resulting in a stronger alloy that is perfect for general purpose applications that require an extra degree in strength and toughness. One drawback is that it is harder to form thin-walled, complicated extrusion shapes using 6082 alloys versus other alloys in the 6000 series family.

6082 is a relatively new alloy in North America and gaining wider acceptance, and in some applications, it can replace 6061 because of its higher strength capacity. It is typically used in highly stressed applications such as bridges, towers, trusses, structural automotive, and structural marine applications.

6005 and 6005A alloy

6005 alloy contains greater amounts of silicon which reduces its melting point and enhances its extrudability. 6005A, on the other hand, contains higher amounts of chromium which reduces its susceptibility to stress corrosion and improves its toughness. 6005A also contains extra manganese, which increases its strength and extrudability. Producing thin-walled and intricate extrusion can be difficult with 6005, but it still has better extrudability than 6082. Both 6005 and 6005A possess excellent bending capabilities and a better mill surface finish than 6061. These two alloys can both be welded or brazed easily using commercial methods, but the heat from welding can diminish the strength of the alloy. Both 6005 and 6005A offer excellent corrosion resistance, finishing characteristics, and respond well to standard anodizing methods creating clear, clear and color dye, and hardcoat finishes.

6005, 6005A , 6061 & 6082 have a fair amount of similarities and can be interchangeable in some situations, but 6005 and 6005A have much better extrusion qualities and mill surface finish than 6061 & 6082.

6005 and 6005A are typically used for applications that require intricate extrusions such as tubing for furniture, components for railways and busses, pipe, portable ladders, and applications where much greater strength from 6063 is needed, as well as in some marine applications.

A picture of a shiny grey wall of aluminum sheets.

Taber is considered a leader for specialty products such as 6000 series aluminum extrusions for use in many applications. 6000 alloys represent the vast majority used in the production of profiles for Taber Extrusions’ customers. Taber has focused on producing 6000 series alloys and has gained the expertise needed to meet these alloys’ rigorous manufacturing and processing requirements.

About Taber Extrusions:

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet, enabling 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 new state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, microextrusion capabilities, and expanded the fabrication area multiple times.

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has developed its markets beyond the 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 various soft and hard alloys.

Today, Taber Extrusions has completed the addition of in-house friction stir welding capabilities and carries on their offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market – making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never before seen in North America.

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.

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com or call us at (888) 985-5319.

15 08, 2021

Infographic: Taber Extrusions’ Aluminum Fabrication Services

Cara2021-10-15T17:38:05+00:00August 15th, 2021|

TABER EXTRUSIONS HISTORY AND RECENT GROWTH

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude extra-large aluminum extrusion profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, Mississippi in 1995 which houses a state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, micro-extrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area and has been expanded multiple times – most recently with the addition of their new Haas VF-12/40 CNC machining line.

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has diversified its market 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 of its recently added friction stir welding capabilities, a full offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market.

Thank you for your continued support of Taber Extrusions, LLC. If you have any questions, please visit taberextrusions.com or contact one of Taber’s Regional Sales Managers.

Follow Taber Extrusions

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

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

29 07, 2021

Taber Extrusions’ New Haas VF-12 CNC Machine is Ready to Serve You

Cara2022-03-07T19:21:02+00:00July 29th, 2021|

A digital image of a VF-12 CNC machine made by Haas, which is a long rectangular box with four large connected viewing panels to allow operators to see the interior where a vertical column holds a spindle which is used to create aluminum extrusions.

Taber Extrusions continues to invest in technologies that provide the broadest capabilities in the extrusion industry. If the job can be done, it can be done at Taber.

With this line of thought, Taber has added a new CNC Haas VF-12 vertical machining center to its operation. This VF series CNC machine allows our top engineers to design final extrusion shapes on specialized software, and then have them made inside of this “self-contained factory,” all in one precise and effective process.

A CNC Machine being operated by two operators

HAAS CNC machines are the cutting-edge of manufacturing prowess and contain several lifetime’s worth of know-how in material engineering, programming, software, and manufacturing. When a company in-bounds a Haas VF-12, it’s a guarantee that the company has hired and developed top talent who will operate these complex CNC machines, and without whom the full potential of the VF-40 could never be extracted.

On the VF-12/40, the tools have travel lengths of 150 inches of an X-axis, 32 inches of Y, and 30 inches of Z. This means that long aluminum extrusions can be precisely made within the machine, cutting down on processing times and costs. With the internal, automatic tool change capacity (30+1), the VF-12 fits the bill for Taber’s focus on precision and effectiveness so customers can rest assured that if they can imagine it, we can form it for the best price.

The 150 x 28-inch table can be loaded with up to 4000 pounds of base material that will be worked on by a high-power, direct-drive spindle equipped with programmable lubrication and coolant hoses. Everything from tool selection, to RPM, to feed rate and coolant flow can be altered to work on different alloys and acquire perfect aluminum extrusions.

A close-up of the spindle and nozzles for lubrication and coolant of a CNC machine in full operation working on a metal “brick.”

With in-house casting solutions, ultra-precision extrusion manufacturing, friction stir welding capacities, and a full range of hard and soft aluminum alloys, Taber continues to align itself as an industry leader in having the broadest available capabilities. The VF-12 propels Taber into the future with increased capabilities and the spirit of continued improvement in the service of customers in the automotive, defense, transportation, and marine industries, and beyond.

About Taber Extrusions

Taber is a minority-owned business enterprise which is AS 9100, NADCAP, and ABS certified. 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 and two additional presses, and multiple expansions of value-added fabrication services. Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes, including 7” billet molds, 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 extruded products in a variety of soft and hard alloys. In 2018, Taber added ultra-precision extrusions to their capabilities allowing them to further serve customers in electronics, computer, and medical industries. Recently, Taber was proud to announce yet another exciting launch into friction stir welding.