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.

8 10, 2012

Uses Of Aluminum: Snowboard Bindings

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00October 8th, 2012|

We’ve talked about cars, bridges, industrial uses, but it’s easy to forget that aluminum is in everyday materials and sporting goods. Aluminum bats are common in non-MLB baseball, and aluminum hockey sticks were prominent in the 1990s; one area you may have overlooked is right at your feet – that is, if you’re snowboarding.
Many snowboard manufacturers make their bindings out of aluminum. For example, Ride Snowboards uses 100% aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum alloy. Their reasons? From an engineering perspective, they’re looking at traditional aluminum qualities. For the snowboarder that doesn’t want to think about things like a material’s Young’s Modulus value, it’s easier to say that it’ll make the board lighter with greater binding flexibility and durability. They’ve even put out a video on the topic.
In fact, Ride Snowboards are so high on their aluminum bindings that they offer a limited lifetime warranty (the “limited” aspect of it means it has to be under normal usage – so if you run over your bindings with a car, that doesn’t count). It just goes to show how trusted aluminum is during high-impact, high-velocity environments where every split-second truly counts.
29 09, 2012

Taber Extrusions LLC: Contract Advantages

2020-04-03T21:57:47+00:00September 29th, 2012|

Taber Extrusions LLC has a long history of working with defense contractors and their related sub-contractors. While we feel our experience, track record, and capabilities speak for themselves, it’s important to note two key designations that provide Taber’s clients with extra contract advantages.

First, Taber is designated as a Small Business in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the United States Small Business Administration. This designation is available for confirmation by searching the System for Award Management website (www.sam.gov); both of Taber’s locations (Russellville, AR and Gulfport, MS) are individually listed.

Taber’s track record of quality performance stands on its own. However, these additional designations offer some unique benefits — companies that use recognized suppliers can receive additional contract benefits from the government.

For more information on how this works, feel free to contact Taber — we’re happy to help!

20 09, 2012

Taber Extrusions Announces Precision Saw-Cutting Capabilities

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00September 20th, 2012|

As an industry leader, Taber Extrusions has always pushed to be at the cutting edge of technology. Now, two new equipment enhancements will allow Taber to saw cut with greater precision than ever before.

Taber’s manufacturing facilities added a band saw and a circular saw to fully cover the extensive range of produced extrusion profiles. With this new equipment, Taber’s cut tolerances now include squareness of cut (up to +/- .010″) across 32″ widths (minimum cut length of .75″). Both new saws are custom-made for efficient aluminum cutting, ensuring high production rates while minimizing scrap.

Of course, all of this comes with Taber’s trademark competitive prices. Have a specific need in mind? Contact Taber today to see how our cutting-edge technology can get the job done.

14 09, 2012

Time To Invest In Aluminum

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00September 14th, 2012|

This is an aluminum-industry blog, so of course we’re going to tout the many reasons why aluminum is a worthy investment. However, it’s moved past just our opinion – and it’s gone beyond the surge in the automotive industry. All around the world, aluminum is becoming a hot commodity. Here’s the latest news from the UK:

“It’s the most powerful rally that has been seen for months. This is occurring across the London Metal Exchange (LME) metals complex.

The breakout patterns seen with aluminum reflect the same patterns seen in lead, zinc, copper and tin. The breakout in aluminum is the most developed. Many LME metals are moving in a similar way, but aluminum is most advanced so it gives guide for other developments.”

And Japan:

“Aluminum stockpiles in Japan expanded 11 percent in August to the highest level in six months, trading company Marubeni Corp. (8002) said by e-mail today.

Inventories held in Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka ports climbed to 261,000 metric tons at the end of last month from 235,100 metric tons on July 31, according to Marubeni, the largest Japanese importer of the metal.”

And India:

“The week’s biggest mover on the weekly Aluminum MMI® was the cash price of primary Indian aluminum, which saw a 5.7 percent increase. This week marked the third in a row of rising prices for the metal on our aluminum price index.”

Why the global surge? It’s difficult to pinpoint one specific reason, but aluminum’s valuable properties – lightweight, strong, efficiently manufactured – have to put it at the forefront of today’s manufacturing needs.

6 09, 2012

Aluminum Recycling: Growing, But We Can Do More

2015-06-18T15:33:38+00:00September 6th, 2012|

It’s well-know that aluminum is the most commonly recycled metal in the United States. There’s good reason for that too – its output (mostly in the form of soda cans) has the biggest consumer reach, and with aluminum recycling programs so popular around the country, everyday folks have incentive to collect and turn in cans. It also helps that aluminum is the most efficient metal to recycle.

The good news is that everyone wins when it comes to aluminum recycling. The better news is that aluminum recycling rates have gone up over the past year – seven percent, from 58.1% to 65.1% in 2011 to be exact according to the group of the Aluminum Association, Can Manufacturers Institute, and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. From Environmental Leader:

“That means 61 billion cans were recycled in 2011, and that aluminum cans are recycled at a rate that is more than double that of any other beverage container, the organizations say. The industry has a goal of reaching a 75 percent recycle rate by 2015.”

A 75% recycle rate by 2015 means growing roughly by 3% for 2012 (which includes ongoing collected data), 2013, and 2014. However, the numbers aren’t quite as simple as “everyone recycle more!”  Here are further details from Environmental Leader:

“A large part of the increase in the recycling rate was driven by imports of used beverage containers. Imports in 2011 increased by about 25 percent, underscoring the need for improved recycling among US consumers as well as the value of aluminum, the organizations say.”

The import of recycled cans essentially swaps out local used cans for recycled cans sourced from other countries – kind of like buying carbon offsets for energy. That means that there are significant ways that both the industry and consumers can achieve this, thus decreasing the reliance on imported cans. The non-profit group As You Sow noted that the true overall recycling rate is about 35% — which is significant, but certainly far off from the ideal 75% (that is, all of the targeted 2015 goal made up by American recycled cans). Their recommendation is to pin a greater responsibility on manufacturing companies; the other side of the argument is to provide more incentives and accessibility to the general consumer.

29 08, 2012

Uses Of Aluminum: Consumer Products

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00August 29th, 2012|

We’ve talked a lot lately about industrial uses of aluminum – cars, bridges, construction, etc. But what about those day-to-day products that make a direct impact on your life?

Let’s get the obvious ones out of the way: soda cans. The aluminum industry makes countless soda cans, and thankfully, many of those are recycled. Aluminum foil is also a kitchen stable, and that’s one of the industry’s key drivers. Similarly, aluminum cooking pans – used for catering, baking, or shaping yummy treats like cupcakes – are also commonly known as aluminum consumer products.

But sometimes, it’s not quite as obvious. Take a peek into your garage and you’ll find aluminum products all around. See that metal ladder? There’s a good chance that’s aluminum – its strength and light weight make it ideal to carry around when hard-to-reach places need to be fixed. The frame for that gas grill? Also probably aluminum. And don’t forget that aluminum baseball bat (yes, we know it doesn’t sound as good as a ball hitting a wood bat – tradition still stands).

Aluminum’s also in computers, from the chassis to parts within hardware, along with other sporting goods such as lacrosse sticks, scooters, and bikes. Would the world fall apart without aluminum? Maybe not so, but it’d be a lot less fun – and a lot harder to cook.

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