12 12, 2012

Ranger Boats Announces New 2013 Aluminum Series

2015-06-18T15:33:37+00:00December 12th, 2012|

The aluminum industry is still abuzz over the Car of the Year awards given to Tesla’s Model S (a.k.a, the electric car with the aluminum chassis). However, another form of transportation is seeing rollout of aluminum-built vehicles.

Aluminum boats aren’t out of the ordinary; in fact, the boating industry is generally of either aluminum or fiberglass hulls. However, Ranger Boats has unveiled a new aluminum series of boats for the 2013 model year, one that’s focused on premium quality.

From Trade Only Today:

“We know there are a lot of anglers and boat buyers looking for a premium-quality aluminum fishing boat at a great price,” Ranger Boats president Randy Hopper said in a statement. “And the new Tournament and Apache Series are built precisely to those standards. We’re proud of the best-in-class features in our fiberglass platforms and instilled the same craftsmanship and attention to detail in these aluminum designs.”

The all-new Tournament Series will consist of three models: The RT 178 sports a 17-foot, 8-inch bass configuration and the RT 178C features a similar platform focused more on crappie and multispecies angling, complete with multiple seat locations and live wells. Rounding out the Tournament Series line is the RT188, an 18-foot, 8-inch bass design rated for 115 horsepower.

“So many anglers enter the boating lifestyle by purchasing an aluminum fishing boat,” Ranger vice president of sales Keith Daffron said in a statement. “We’re excited to offer these customers an affordable, durable product paired with the Ranger name and the long list of 5-Star advantages that come with it.”

Ranger Boats is known for their quality products, and by extending this to their aluminum series, they’re elevating the standard for what’s possible with aluminum boats. In addition, Ranger Boats is adding to the local manufacturing economy by opening a new Flippin, Arkansas manufacturing facility specifically for this boat line.

For more information on Ranger Boats, visit their website.

5 12, 2012

When Aluminum Becomes Art

2015-06-18T15:33:37+00:00December 5th, 2012|

When you talk about art, most people think of paints, ink, or maybe clay. There’s a good chance they don’t think about aluminum.

However, Georgia-based artist Todd Briske has found his art medium of choice, and it involves our favorite type of metal.

Briske’s sculptures run the gamut, from sculptures of men and women to other pieces of metal art, including a giant Christmas wreath at the Arts Clayton Gallery in Jonesboro, Georgia. From the Clayton Neighbor Newspaper:

According to Arts Clayton Executive Director Linda Summerlin, Briske’s metal creations, including a huge, multi-colored medal Christmas wreath on display at the gallery, are among the most talked about artistic works available there.

“To me, it is almost like knitting,” Briske said.

“However, instead of using yarn, you are using aluminum metal strips which I can easily shape and mold using only a pair of pliers,” he added.

Briske can also wire his art, with or without a studio.

“I can remember that after our Thanksgiving dinner, my mother would be knitting at one end of our couch and I would be working on an artistic metal piece at the other end,” he said, adding that aluminum strips are not only easy to shape but maintain that shape well.

Briske’s sculptures are on display right now at the Arts Clayton Gallery. For more information, visit their website.

Does the art world now have a soft spot for the aluminum industry? Perhaps Briske’s endeavors will inspire others to work with aluminum — it’s lightweight, strong, and malleable, after all. One thing’s for sure, though; at Taber Extrusions, you can bet that we are not going to making any sculptures anytime soon.

We’ll leave the art to the artists.

28 11, 2012

When Aluminum Recycling Goes Wrong – Really Wrong

2015-06-18T15:33:37+00:00November 28th, 2012|

In tough economic times, aluminum is a hot commodity. Because of its recyclable properties — and the fact that recycled aluminum can easily be exchanged for cash — people will do just about anything to turn that scrap into dollars.

Of course, it’s one thing for a family to collect soda cans from the office or the neighborhood. On the other extreme, you have a recent story out of Philadelphia that involves theft and a little bit of espionage.

Brian Pierson of Philadelphia decided it’d be a good idea to steal aluminum forms from J.M. Pereira & Sons construction company. But after the first theft on July 17, owner Carl Pereira decided he’d take matters into his own hands. From the Times Herald of Montgomery County:

Court papers indicate that Carl Pereira told authorities that aluminum construction forms were stolen from his work site at 100 Destiny Way in Montgomery Township during the early morning hours of July 17, July 21 and July 23.

“After the first theft on July 17, Pereira hid a GPS tracking device in a construction form at the Montgomery Township construction site location,” Montgomery Township Detective James Reape wrote in the criminal complaint.

On July 21, when the second theft occurred, the GPS device provided the location of the stolen goods to be a Philadelphia area scrap metal yard, court papers indicate. Pereira accompanied Philadelphia police to the scrap yard and identified the property and retrieved the tracking device.

Video surveillance showed a male operating a red Dodge Ram pickup truck selling the aluminum to the scrap yard at 7:49 a.m. July 21, according to the arrest affidavit.

The lesson here? Stick to collecting cans for that extra recycling money. And if you’ve had some valuable aluminum stolen from you, GPS technology can be your friend.

21 11, 2012

Car Industry Advances Motivate Aluminum Manufacturing Expansion Into China

2015-06-18T15:33:37+00:00November 21st, 2012|

In the past week, the auto industry has made significant strides to increase its usage of aluminum in manufacturing. Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise, as this was a theme of Aluminum Week 2012 and Tesla’s aluminum-body Model S won Car Of The Year from both Motor Trend and Automobile Magazine. However, it’s a good sign at the aluminum industry’s growing importance for car manufacturing.

One key indicator of this comes from global aluminum company Novelis. Novelis just announced expansion plans for an aluminum auto sheet plant in China. Novelis is recognized as a leader in rolled aluminum and its products are used in everything from beverage cans (that Coke you’re drinking? Novelis produced the can) to smartphone components to car components. From PR Newswire via Herald Online:

Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, officially broke ground today on the company’s first aluminum manufacturing plant in China. The $100 million investment is designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for rolled aluminum used in the design of a new generation of lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The wholly owned plant under construction in Changzhou in the Jiangsu Province, will have a capacity of 120,000 metric tons per year, further strengthening Novelis’ position as the world’s largest producer of aluminum sheet products used to create vehicle structures and body panels. Startup of the new facility, the industry’s first automotive sheet plant in China, is planned for late 2014.

With the aluminum industry still glowing from Tesla’s award-winning Model S, it’s likely that you’ll see further direct investment in aluminum-based auto manufacturing in the future.

Onward and upward!

13 11, 2012

Aluminum-built Tesla Model S Wins Car of The Year

2017-01-26T23:37:30+00:00November 13th, 2012|

Back in July, we told you about Tesla’s Model S – the electric-powered, aluminum-built car that the company considered to be its flagship model following its June release. It impressed critics then, but as we’re closing out the 2012 calendar year, it’s done more than just impress critics — it’s won awards. Big awards, too – like Automobile Magazine’s 2013 Automobile Of The Year. Yeah, that’s pretty significant.

“We can’t say for certain whether Tesla will be able to make that happen. The auto industry is tough enough for a giant like General Motors. What we can say with this award is that Tesla deserves to succeed. It has managed to blend the innovation of a Silicon Valley start-up, the execution of a world-class automaker, and, yes, the chutzpah of its visionary leader. The result is the Model S. It’s not vaporware. It’s our Automobile of the Year.”

Now, to be fair, Automobile Magazine doesn’t mention the word “aluminum” once in its Automobile Of The Year article. Instead, it talks about things like performance, handling, speed, and features. But perhaps that omission is one of the biggest compliments the aluminum materials can receive. After all, if a car’s aluminum chassis can merely be part of the manufacturing process rather than a design revolution, that means that it just might be ready for mainstream acceptance.

With many car manufacturers already looking at aluminum as part of their body manufacturing process, this is more validation that the industry’s on the right path – and with aluminum’s combination of strength and lightweight appeal, safety awards and better MPG aren’t far behind.

7 11, 2012

Aluminum for ALS at Kansas State University

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00November 7th, 2012|

Aluminum, college fraternities, and Lou Gehrig – those three things don’t normally go hand in hand, but Kansas State University student Harrison Helmick is looking to tie them together for a good cause.

A sophomore in bakery science, Helmick has started a movement called Aluminum For ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, colloquially known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) as part of his Phi Delta Kappa philanthropy project, and its foundation is built from aluminum cans.

How does the project work? It’s quite simple: Helmick has placed big blue barrels with the Aluminum For ALS logo outside of Kansas State University frat houses. Instead of aluminum cans getting thrown out, Helmick is urging students to put them in the blue barrels.

The aluminum is then collected and turned in for recycling money, and all proceeds are donated to the ALS Association. From the Kansas State Collegian:

“My fraternity was looking for a new philanthropy project, so when I was elected as the philanthropy chair, I wanted to plan something,” Helmick said. “I had always noticed how wasteful it was to throw away bags full of aluminum cans after parties, both in their collectability and in their environmental impact. My goal is to get as many of these barrels around campus as possible.”

Aluminum for ALS barrels are currently in place in 12 fraternity houses. Helmick’s goal is to place barrels in every fraternity house by the end of the semester and eventually in sorority houses, residence halls and potentially even at football tailgates.

“It’s a very simple thing; finish your drink, donate to charity,” Helmick said. “We take care of the cleanup and can provide as many barrels as necessary. Every person can easily get involved.”

As of November 1, more than 400 pounds of aluminum have been collected for the cause. Of course, you don’t have to be at Kansas State University to help – you should always recycle your aluminum (get cash and help the environment) and are welcome to make a donation at the ALS Foundation. Remember, every little bit helps.

30 10, 2012

Apple Prefers Aluminum – Or At Least Steve Jobs Did

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00October 30th, 2012|

Apple co-founder is a lot of things to a lot of people. Everyone can agree he was a visionary in technology, but he was apparently forward-thinking about other things — such as yacht materials.

Jobs’official biography noted that he spent a big part of his final years focused on designing a yacht to take his family around the world. And just about a year following Jobs’ passing, the yacht was completed in a Dutch shipyard. From arstechnica:

“According to biographer Walter Isaacson, former Apple CEO Steve Jobs spent the last several years of his life designing a custom yacht with an ultralight aluminum hull so his family could sail around the world together. Just over a year after Jobs’ death, the boat, dubbed “Venus,” was christened on Sunday in the Dutch shipyard where it was built.”

An “ultralight aluminum hull” is, to say the least, not very common among yachts. Yachting Magazine notes that a wide range of materials are usually considered for hulls depending on budget and material-property constraints (corrosion, weight, strength, etc.): wood, steel, fiberglass, plastics, and, yes, aluminum.  From Yachting Magazine:

“Aluminum, which is costlier than steel, is very light for its strength. Proper selection of marine alloys is essential; other grades will not stand up in a salt environment. For yacht-grade finishes, application of fairing compound is usually required, and the material is susceptible to corrosion if proper precautions are not taken.”

Yachting Magazine notes that designers often pick and choose a combination of materials to balance the different aforementioned factors. As for Steve Jobs’ yacht? While the design itself hasn’t been publicly discussed, there’s something very, well, Apple about that aluminum hull:

“A tribute to the minimalist design that Jobs championed at Apple (along with SVP of Industrial Design Jony Ive), the all-aluminum hull looks like it could have been carved from a single piece of aluminum, like many of Apple’s computers and mobile products. Other notable features of the finished vessel include smooth, all-teak decks, a rear hatch to launch a separate speed boat when a suitable dock isn’t available to go ashore, and a wheelhouse powered by seven 27″ iMacs.”

23 10, 2012

“Self-Healing” Aluminum Coatings Now A Reality

2015-06-18T15:33:37+00:00October 23rd, 2012|

In the classic action film Terminator 2, the villainous T-1000 is made from liquid metal, an amorphous material that instantly seals up any wounds it suffers.

Dev Chidambaram’s research team at the University of Nevada, Reno hasn’t created a liquid-metal formula worthy of Hollywood special effects, but they have done something that’s almost as cool: a self-healing coating for aluminum. Designed for aerospace and defense applications, the molybdate-based formula is also much more environmentally friendly than the cancer-causing  chromate coating used in specific situations (but banned for consumer usage).

The research team’s formula uses the term “self-healing” based on the way the coating repairs itself after damages or scratches. From Phys.org:

“When scratched, the coating components from nearby sites migrate to the damaged region and re-protect the underlying alloy. A short video of the coating formation is on Chidambaram’s website, http://www.electrochemical.org under the heading “Cool Videos.”

Chidambaram’s formulation performs comparably to the chromate formula in its ability for self-healing, which is important to the defense and aerospace industry. The coating can be applied to all aluminum products. The new formula creates an environmentally-benign molybdate-based coating that provides corrosion protection to aluminum, used for aircraft and spacecraft. These coatings, when damaged, will re-heal themselves.”

While the team will continue to evolve the formula, the fact that it’s environmentally formula means that we could eventually see this in other industries using aluminum. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean liquid-metal assassins that travel through time. Not yet, anyway.

17 10, 2012

It’s Aluminum Week!

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00October 17th, 2012|

As this post goes live — yes, this very minute! – There’s a lot going on in Chicago, Illinois. Aluminum Week, the annual industry trade show put on by the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), the Aluminum Association (AA), and the Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC), has taken over the city…
For the aluminum industry, it’s as big as it gets, as some of the biggest names in manufacturing, chemistry, research, and production get together under one roof. This year’s theme is “The Road Ahead” and it’s got multiple meanings. The first and most obvious one is the notion of exploring how the aluminum industry moves forward successfully. However, we’ve talked a lot on this blog about aluminum’s usage in the auto industry, and this will be explored in several session panels, including featured speeches by representatives from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Alliance Of Automotive Automobile Manufacturers as well as a luncheon discussion entitled “Double-up on Automotive Aluminum.”
Each year’s Aluminum Week provides valuable insights into industry trends, from manufacturing processes to usage innovations; this year’s version should prove to be just as enlightening. Don’t worry, though — we’ll make sure to take a few minutes to enjoy some of that famous Chicago pizza.

11 10, 2012

Improving The Auto Industry’s Aluminum Manufacturing Process

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00October 11th, 2012|

The auto industry’s been one of the biggest topics of this blog over the past few months, but we haven’t gone too much into the specifics — it’s just known that the auto industry has seen aluminum as part of its path to lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

GM, however, offered more details about how it’s enabling greater use of aluminum in its manufacturing process. In particular, it has to do with the way the material is welded, as traditionally aluminum is difficult to weld. From GM’s press release:

“GM’s new resistance spot welding process uses a patented multi-ring domed electrode that does what smooth electrodes are unreliable at doing – welding aluminum to aluminum. By using this process GM expects to eliminate nearly two pounds of rivets from aluminum body parts such as hoods, liftgates and doors.

…

Spot welding uses two opposing electrode pincers to compress and fuse pieces of metal together, using an electrical current to create intense heat to form a weld. The process is inexpensive, fast and reliable, but until now, not robust for use on aluminum in today’s manufacturing environment. GM’s new welding technique works on sheet, extruded and cast aluminum because GM’s proprietary multi-ring domed electrode head disrupts the oxide on aluminum’s surface to enable a stronger weld.”

This process has already been used on the hood of the Cadillac CTS-V and the liftgate of the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon (hybrid editions). We’ll see more of this in 2013, thus promoting greater fuel efficiency and moving towards a better experience from manufacturers to motorists.

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