aluminum extrusions Archives - Taber Extrusions

3 07, 2022

Abundance, Aluminum, and America’s Great Destiny: History of Aluminum for Military Use

maria2023-03-07T00:35:14+00:00July 3rd, 2022|

The Washington Monument, a tall white pyramid capped with an aluminum cone, stands tall on a green lawn, surrounded by flags, and in front of a clear, blue, sky.

From the mountains, to the prairies, God has blessed America with every natural resource. Coal, copper, timber, nickel, phosphate, and an endless list of abundant supplies were given to the most industrious people to ever set before themselves the experiment of freedom and liberty. These American people, when building the Washington Monument, chose a 6-pound aluminum pyramid to cap their achievements. Aluminum, once prized more than gold, had found its way into a place of high honor. Has aluminum, out of all our natural metals, lived up to such a high honor? The historical answer is yes.

Aluminum’s Economic Contribution

Aluminum has been important part of America’s economic engines specifically through the production of aluminum ore. At its height in 1981, the US produced 30% of the world’s primary aluminum. As the industry has become more aware of its environmental responsibilities, much of the US’s production has shifted to secondary production from scrap metal.

Nevertheless, having national deposits has proven a great advantage for American progress, and at times necessary for national security.

A birds-eye-view shot of a mine where tuck is being loaded with silver extraction fed by a belt.

History of Aluminum for Military Use

As a strong, lightweight metal, aluminum was destined to be the most functional alloy for military use. The French, early in the history of aluminum, looked into using it for armor, yet the prohibitive costs kept them from using it in their army. However, it was only a matter of time. With the advent of mass-produced aluminum, warfare changed forever. Let us take a look at the history of aluminum for military use.

The Word Wars and the history of aluminum for military use

During both World Wars, aluminum production in the United States experienced a boom. In World War I, the United States aviation industry relied heavily on this metal. Thousands of planes were manufactured in the United States using aluminum.

A WWII plane for military use made of aluminum with two propellers and u-shaped back wing.

In World War II, new innovations allowed for even more applications for aluminum, even being used to blind the enemy’s newly invented radar. Aluminum powder could also be used to create explosives, in addition to its more standard uses. This war also proved the importance of having national sources. The supply of aluminum from South America was put in jeopardy by German U-boats roaming international waters. Today, the history of aluminum for military use continues to be written.

Aluminum in the Modern Military

Today’s military takes advantage of aluminum to strengthen the core of its equipment. Because aluminum is lighter than steel, it can make ships, planes, and vehicles more efficient and faster. For the same reasons, missiles also are made from this metal. Furthermore, aluminum is strong enough to be used as armor and has saved countless lives as plates fortifying armored vehicles against explosives. Of course, aluminum continues to be used in variety of weapons such as M-15, M-72 and M-79.

Modern day American soldiers carrying rifles run through thick sand, while beyond a large group of soldiers stand in a tight group.

Aluminum: A continuing American success story

Today, the best aluminum and aluminum alloys continue to be manufactured in the United States. US aluminum extrusions are more versatile and precise than ever. Taber has just the right aluminum extruder for all aluminum extrusions and micro-extrusions in high selection of aluminum profiles. Proud to be an American aluminum extrusion company, Taber Extrusion is a leading fabricator of aluminum shapes, aluminum billet, and other aluminum products. Taber’s commercial network, aligned with key aluminum distributors, allows us to reach customers, both domestic and international, that might be too small to take a mill minimum order. It also gives Taber the capabilities to reach industries that aren’t used to buying direct from a mill. We serve the military, government, shipbuilding and many other industries.

Come check out your best aluminum extrusion partner today!

Follow Taber Extrusions:

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

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

3 06, 2022

Consider Aluminum Distribution Services When Selecting Your Aluminum Extrusion Partner

maria2023-03-07T00:31:47+00:00June 3rd, 2022|

When searching for a reliable aluminum extrusion partner, not only must their manufacturing capabilities be considered, but also their aluminum distribution services. Look to Taber Extrusions for their turnkey services that encompass all the above.

Product Capabilities in Aluminum Distribution Services

Taber Extrusions is a leading manufacturer of aluminum shapes, aluminum billet, and other aluminum products. With a diverse selection of aluminum products, from both standard and non-standard aluminum shapes, to the production of aluminum billets in a full range of aluminum alloys, Taber Extrusions is a full service supplier. In addition, Taber’s portfolio also includes friction stir welding, and extensive CNC-machining/fabrication capabilities.

Whether it is broad profiles or ultraprecision extrusions, Taber’s capabilities range from industry standard extrusions to intricate custom designs that meet very specific needs. The company’s standard shape catalog includes: rods, hollows, channels, beams, angles, tees, zees, and bars in a wide range of sizes.

A Strong Network in Aluminum Distribution Services

Plus, the aluminum distribution market is exceedingly significant for Taber. In their Gulfport location, it accounts for approximately half of Taber’s business. Taber’s commercial network, aligned with key aluminum distributors, allows them to reach customers – both domestic and international. Distribution allows Taber to reach customers that might be too small to take a mill minimum order. It also allows Taber to reach industries that are perhaps not used to buying direct from a mill, making Taber top choice in aluminum distribution services.

Side-by-side image of aluminum in two different forms; one in small chalky-looking grey chunks, and the other in shiny straw-sized solid shiny rods.

About Taber Extrusions

In a quest to continuously improve the quality and service we provide to our customers, Taber Extrusions continues to evolve by adding products, services, and cutting-edge technology.

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.

What’s more, Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has diversified its markets beyond military. Since its inception, Taber has worked to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others.

Additionally, in-house casting solutions, ultra-precision extrusion manufacturing, friction stir welding capacities, and a full range of hard and soft aluminum alloys are part of Taber’s portfolio. Taber continues to align itself as an industry leader in having the broadest available capabilities.

Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its relatively recent addition, the VF-12 CNC machining line. Along with a full offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market, Taber keeps expanding services. Adding these capabilities to a growing portfolio propels Taber into the future. In a quest to continuously improve quality and service, we aim to be your aluminum extrusion partner.

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 05, 2022

Aluminum Extrusions for Military Marine Application

maria2022-07-06T22:22:47+00:00May 3rd, 2022|

With all the possibilities of technical advancement, there are endless ways to be innovative these days. With that in mind, what is the significance of technology and innovation in shipbuilding? We can go back to the American Civil War in 1862, wherein two ironclad warships battled for the first time. Not one ship sunk; thus, both parties claimed victory.

For naval technology, this was an important milestone. Why? Because ironclad warships had shown an increase in survivability compared to their wooden-hulled predecessors. Presently, the battlefield is evolving faster than ever and the need has emerged for a new breed of warships with increased speed, agility, and stealth.

Look no further! The answer is aluminum.

5xxx aluminum alloys

Aluminum allows vessels to be made lighter and faster at one-third the density of steel. The corrosion resistance and strength of new alloys, especially the 5xxx series of aluminum alloys, make it an ideal choice for constructing sea-going vessels. Adding elements to pure aluminum produces a chemical composition with improved properties creating an aluminum alloy that increases strength. A 4-digit number is then assigned in which the first digit represents a general series that characterizes its main alloying elements.

The primary agent for the 5xxx series is magnesium which gives the alloy strength and good weldability, amongst other things. In naval ships alone, 6,000 tons of aluminum are used each year on destroyers. For more than a decade now, 5456 plate and extrusions have become the benchmark for the welded deckhouse structures of destroyers. The weight-saving ability of the 5xxx series allows the ship to maintain stability with a narrow hull that is crucial in reaching high speeds.

Advantages of 5xxx aluminum alloys

The structures save 55-67% of their weight by using a 5xxx aluminum alloy. The ships can increase payload, haul more equipment, and lower the energy required to power the boat. The 5xxx series has good weld ductility without post-weld treatments due to the weld yield strengths of 100-200 MPa. It has lower corrosion resistance which is ideal for any structure encountering water or chemicals. The tensile strength of the alloy showed reductions of only 2-5% throughout a 10-year seawater test.

An ominous photo capturing an overcast day with a Naval frigate ship traveling at a high speed through the ocean leaving a wake of frothy white waves in the deep blue sea.

Friction stir welding for marine vessels

The growth of new metal forming processes, friction stir welding (FSW) chief among them, has made aluminum one of the most versatile materials, creating profiles. For more than twenty years, friction stir welding or FSW has been a highly effective alternative to traditional MIG welding in marine applications. It is best used on long straight welds for a more cost-effective and efficient operation.

Several of the welded structures in this process are alloyed aluminum extrusions. Flat designs used in the marine industry, such as floors, decks, bulkheads, and parts that do not require complex curves, can be done by FSW. These vessels are capable of speeds of more than 45 knots (51 mph), an exceptional rate for vessels that weigh 3,500 tons. Even hull sections are critical to making the vessels lighter, faster, and more maneuverable.

Taber Extrusions’ Russellville, Arkansas friction stir welding production cell inside the facility.

Benefits of friction stir welding for marine vessels

Speeds up the building procedure and saves money for large and small projects.

The cost savings come from eliminating the required person-hours of traditional MIG welding and providing a more substantial, higher quality weld, which cuts down on secondary repair costs. Using complete components such as modular FSW panels reduces the time and labor costs of measurements and cutting on the construction site. There is also minimal distortion on the weld and better aesthetics. It is more environmentally friendly (no UV radiation or fumes) and more user-friendly.

Removes flaws that are inherent to conditional welding methods.

Characteristics include no porosity, no hot cracking, and a more robust fusion of the constituent elements. Becoming adopted far and near, FSW is less susceptible to errors due to the automated process.

Six photos of ships neatly aligned in two rows of three: Small Surface Combatants, Patrol Vessels, Expeditionary Fast Transport, Offshore Platforms, Cruise Ships, Civilian Transports – with the words “MARINE AND NAVAL” prominently at the top of the graphic in a bold black font.

Aluminum can help marine manufacturers and shipbuilders obtain weight and production savings and improve the quality and efficiency of vessels and structures… and the unique qualities of extruded aluminum component design provides exceptionally high torsion strength resistance – making it the ideal material for marine application.

More About Taber Extrusions

Taber Extrusions, founded in 1973, originally pioneered a process for extruding 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. It houses a state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, microextrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area, which has been expanded multiple times.

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes. It also has diversified its markets beyond the 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 aligns 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 complete 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 drives Taber into the future in a pursuit to continuously enhance the quality and service we provide to our customers.

We appreciate your ongoing support of Taber Extrusions, LLC. If you have any questions, please visit taberextrusions.com or reach out to 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 02, 2022

Creating The Best Aluminum Extrusions Company

maria2022-07-06T21:02:02+00:00February 3rd, 2022|

An aerial view of a group of workers around a table problem solving; on the table are chalk drawings of and the terms: analysis, success, ideas, vision, teamwork.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou

Imagine that you are in the perfect work atmosphere. Chances you are happy, productive, and not rushed. You are recognized for your unique skill set. You collaborate well with your team. You are satisfied with the work that you and your teammates accomplish and proud of the product that you offer the world at large.

What makes a great company culture? Countless writings have been published about this topic, and a great number of speakers tour the globe on corporate lecture circuits to help companies establish the best work atmosphere possible. That said, this is something that we all innately understand: the characteristics required to create the best company culture include strong/positive leadership, effective communication, diversity/inclusion, recognition, goals/strategies, and teamwork. At Taber – with five decades of practice – we infuse each of these characteristics into each and every project we undertake. If we could boil the above listed characteristics into one word, it would be teamwork.

Since 1973, Taber has been a leader in aluminum extrusion and aluminum fabrication services. Taber Extrusions values our relationships, and this starts within the company and extends to our customers. As a company that specializes in aluminum extrusions, billet casting, fabrication, microextrusions, friction stir-welding, and design assistance… we do a lot of different things at Taber, so we must hire candidates from a variety of educational backgrounds and experience.

We respect our hard-workers with experience in their respective field, but we also understand the value of listening to our employees from other backgrounds that offer a fresh approach to finding new solutions to challenges. Though we are a large company, we like to think of ourselves as a local business: we value family.

Portrait of Taber Extrusions Human Resources Manager Leslie Schreckhise

“At Taber, I am surrounded by team full of smart, innovative people who challenge me to learn more and continually improve. This is a fascinating world with new challenges and victories every day. I am never bored at Taber!” says Leslie Schreckhise, Human Resources Manager at Taber. “I believe that what sets us apart is our family-like culture, we all care for and support each other as family.”

We advocate for our diverse team, their wide array of contributions, and do our best to make sure they feel appreciated an recognized. There are many ways to show our gratitude, including respecting their family/personal time, and forging friendships through non-work activities and team building.

Jeffrey Bladow, Taber’s Director of Business Development has this to add; “Taber solves multi-faceted problems…. I enjoy working side by side with problem solvers and relish in the satisfaction in helping our customer’s develop the products of the future. Today’s market is demanding lighter weight, higher performing applications that Taber makes today. There is a growing market demand that Taber can supply. I hope to further engage and create an exciting atmosphere for all of our team as we respond to the opportunity ahead of us. I will encourage and lead a mindset of continuous improvement and a fun family atmosphere to work in. Our society will continue to demand Taber’s unique products. We will make the world a better and more efficient place.”

Portrait of Jeffrey Bladow, Taber Extrusions Director of Business Development

Dedication to fostering our diverse team, all of whom offer important perspectives and ideas, allows us to transmit enthusiasm into each project. This means using our collective creativity and skill set to turn any idea into a design application- be they related to aerospace, transportation, mining, military, electronics, marine, shipbuilding, R&D projects, and sporting goods. Due to the nature of our inventive team—

Our processing services include:

Billet Casting – Gulfport, MS. Facility
Solution Heat Treatment
Stretcher/Detwister – 750 ton Capacity
Cut-to-length
Custom Packaging
Fabrication
Statistical Process Control
Quality Assurance – Defense Contractor Approved
Artificial Aging Ovens

Our engineering services include:

SolidWorks (CAD Design)
Extrusion Design Assistance
Tolerances in ASTM, AA, ANSI, DIN, or EN standards
CAD Software (Auto CAD)
Ultrasonic Testing: Portable Immersion (115 ft tank)
Analysis and Testing Capabilities: Chemistry, Mechanical Property Testing, Electrical Conductivity Testing, Macroanalysis, Microanalysis, Rockwell Hardness Test, Brinell Hardness Test, Webster Hardness Test, Exfoliation Corrosion Test.

Our team-based philosophy doesn’t end with our employees. Customers are team members too. We specialize in personal attention, and our customer-first approach allows consumer manufacturers from around the globe trust us for their most unique, customized aluminum extrusion projects. Our inventive team is on a perpetual mission to deliver excellent products with our customers in mind.

Taber Extrusions produces a consistently dependable product – this is how we practice loyalty to our customers – and what keeps them coming back. By ensuring that every process and procedure, from billet procurement and final shipment, fulfills all ISO9001 and AS9100 standards, Taber maintains preferred supplier ratings. Our positive reputation for quality programs enables customers to optimize end-product procurement time.

More About Taber Extrusions

Taber Extrusions is 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. 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. 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.

Thank you for your continued support of Taber Extrusions, LLC. 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

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.

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 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.

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.

1 03, 2021

Taber: Microextrusions For Defense and Aerospace

Catheryn2021-03-01T20:55:09+00:00March 1st, 2021|

Two images side-by-side, on left: long-range radar antenna used to track space objects and ballistic missiles. On right: A military radar antenna which rotates steadily, used for aircraft detection.

Like conventional aluminum extrusions, microextrusions are pushed through a die. Unlike conventional extrusions, the entire extrusion process is performed at a submillimeter level. In other words, the resulting product’s cross section can fit through a 1-millimeter square. Since microforming was first explored in 1990, several microextrusion processes have been developed and found to be especially valuable in the defense and aerospace industries.

“Taber was originally recognized for our large shapes and now we are establishing ourselves as microextruders. Since we’ve added microextrusions, friction stir welding, and billet casting, we’re pretty much spanning the gamut of aluminum extrusion competence,” says Jason Weber, VP of Sales and Marketing at Taber Extrusions. “We were already well-versed within the defense and aerospace markets but adding miniature aluminum extrusions to our capabilities has allowed us to become a one-stop shop for our customers in those industries. Our diversification has opened the door wide for our customers.”

Three side-by-side images illustrating how strikingly small microextrusions are. Various aluminum profiles are lined up creatively next to measuring rulers.

Taber Extrusions has experienced many evolutions since its founding in the early 1970s. Established in Russellville, AR, Taber pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet, able to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Since then, the Gulfport, MS facility was added, which increased Taber’s billet capacity, alloy range, and ability to reuse materials. Within the last decade, fabrication capabilities were upgraded, friction stir welding was added, and of course, microextrusions became an offering.

MICROEXTRUSIONS FOR DEFENSE AND AEROSPACE

For which type of end-use applications are Taber’s microextrusions being utilized?

Defense

Precision is a must for military, defense, and firearms manufacturing – requiring strength, complexity, and tight tolerances. Aluminum’s high strength-to-weight ratio makes it the ideal material for many defense product applications such as:

Communications systems
Electronics thermal management/enclosures
Guidance systems
Radar systems
Weapons systems
Firearms components and accessories

A U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon, British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon, French Air Force Dessault Rafale, and U.S. Air Force F-22 fly in formation above the clouds on a sunny day.

Aerospace

From the Wright brothers to NASA, aluminum has helped make it possible for humans to fly above the Earth onward to explore other galaxies. Aluminum’s minimal maintenance, lightweight with high strength, flexibility at low temperatures, and ability to engineer a wide range of functionality into components, makes it an obvious choice for solutions in aircraft and aerospace. For the most part, microextrusions function out of site and you’ll never know they are all around you. However, they serve a crucial role in aerospace:

Interior aircraft systems
Supplemental oxygen systems
Electrical/Communication Systems
Passenger Comfort Systems
Coolant radiators
Oil coolers
Transmission coolers
Intercoolers
AC condensers
Passenger service systems
Other fluid/gas systems

As aluminum has played an important role in the defense and aerospace applications for many years, a new generation of aluminum-lithium alloys are offering aircraft manufacturers even more savings when it comes to weight and fuel. Beyond aluminum’s high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent formability, its anticorrosive properties make it a top choice. When aluminum is exposed to air, it forms a hard microscopic oxide coating, sealing it from the environment. This tight oxide bond is a compound not found in nature, but an aluminum alloy created to provide a long-lasting protective solution. These unique properties allow microextrusion manufacturers like Taber Extrusions to furnish extremely strong, precise, and long-lasting miniature extrusions to end users in a wide range of markets.

Taber’s Miniature Extrusion Capabilities

Up to 0.8 In²cross sectional area
Special cases down to 0.075 In²
Profile circle size up to 3″
Minimum wall thickness possible to 0.010” (select cases)
Key characteristic tolerances possible ±0.001” (select cases)

: The word “microextrusions” reflects on a metal ruler up to the 4-inch mark, with 3 sizes of square hollow-shaped miniature extrusions lined up against the 1-2-inch marks.

More 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 new state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, microextrusion 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. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of 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.

18 02, 2021

Aluminum Microtubing Rapidly Developing in Sync: Microextrusions

Catheryn2021-02-18T21:00:51+00:00February 18th, 2021|

3D Rendering of a silver ruler measuring approximately 2 inches of space, with 4 tiny aluminum tubes jutting down from the top of the image, barely taking up a few millimeters on the ruler. The words “Aluminum Mictotubing” appear to the right in white.

Recent advancements in extrusion have allowed for aluminum microtubing products to be used in medicine and surgical applications. Specifically, microextrusions have allowed for OEM’s to request microtubing with dimensions previously thought impossible.

With continued advancements in several industries, aluminum microtubing has become increasingly more complex and smaller in size. New and advanced processes have placed an urgency on manufacturers to produce smaller and smaller microtubing with safer and more durable materials.

OEMs are primarily focused on miniaturizing their devices and providing new features, but reducing cost is also a large concern. Before, these OEMs relied on traditional injecting molding to complete these projects. However, with the increasing popularity of microextrusions, OEMs now have much more flexibility in cost and design.

The use of aluminum microtubing is useful in this regard. Aluminum can provide three times as much volume per pound as other metal products – so when weight is a factor, it is an obvious choice.

Aluminum’s natural corrosion resistance makes it suitable to many types of environments and its ability to transmit heat rapidly make it ideal for heat transfer processes. On top of this all, aluminum tubing is readily bent, formed, and welded.

Per Medical Design Briefs:

“From a challenge standpoint, material is a key factor… running products on a micro level requires materials to be processed at extremely low output levels, thus creating the potential for high shear and material degradation.

Unlike traditional extrusion, which processes a large amount of material quickly, microextrusion processes a small amount of material slowly to get the desired physical and performance attributes.

In addition to the benefits provided by the reduction in size, another plus is to have the ability to build in advanced steerable capabilities, enhanced with… features to aid in complex procedures. This type of structure can be produced in multilayer size, with enhanced performance in many areas. Depending on the application and device, you can modify configurations to aid the designers even further.”

TABER’S MICROEXTRUSION PROCESS

Taber’s aluminum ultra-precise extrusions are produced through a proprietary technique that delivers features, tolerances, and surface finishes previously considered to be impossible. This unique extrusion process continues to excite design engineers, offering an additional design alternative for the production of precision aluminum components. Industries most commonly using microextrusions include computer, electronics, aerospace, medical, industrial, and military.

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 new 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. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of 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.

A SPECIAL NOTE ON VIRUSES AND BACTERIA IN RESPECT TO ALUMINUM SURFACES:

At this time of extreme health concern, specifiers must carefully consider how material choices may impact the spread of viruses, bacteria, and infectious diseases in healthcare facilities and other public spaces.

While much about the coronavirus is still under investigation, research has demonstrated significant differences in the longevity of viruses on various surfaces, and there are a variety of treatments that appear to further reduce the growth and survival of viruses and bacteria, enhancing the surface’s ability to destroy pathogens.

A major research study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection tested human coronavirus strains for longevity on various material surfaces and found that the virus lasted only two to eight hours on aluminum, but days on many other materials.

We encourage you to access the full white paper on this topic which can be found at AEC.org

An infographic consisting of icons depicting various surface materials (aluminum, surgical gloves, plastic, steel, glass, PVC, silicon rubber, ceramic, and Teflon) with the headline, “Coronavirus (HCoV) Survival Time on Various Inanimate Surface Materials”

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.

11 01, 2021

Industries That Use Friction Stir Welding

Catheryn2021-02-11T20:06:29+00:00January 11th, 2021|

4 photographs: upper left – a high-speed white rail train with a red stripe zooming through a bright train station in a dynamic blur. Upper right – Fincantieri Marinette Marine Littoral Combat Ship plowing through a deep, dark ocean. Lower right – the view from a car roof as it speeds down the expressway towards a beautiful orange sunset. Lower left – A jet airplane high in the air creating stark white contrails against a clear turquoise sky.

Amid the screech of saws cutting through metal, the beeping of forklifts, and the clank of metal components, workers in modern shipyards are producing some of the largest vessels in the world. A similar cacophony of sounds as those heard in a shipyard can be heard around the country in automotive, construction, aerospace, and transportation factories.

Neatly organized assembly line workers with electric drills work on large metallic parts, bigger than the men working on them and resemble pvc pipe connectors with structures inside them. Behind them can be seen boxes with materials and in front of them are large metallic shelves for storage.

Yet, one traditional sound associated with industrial manufacturing may soon go silent: the loud cracking, buzzing, electric sound associated with MIG welding. Sometimes likened to the sound bacon makes while frying, the sounds of MIG welding may eventually come to be completely replaced by the low buzzing of the spinning rotating tool used in Friction Stir Welding (FSW).

As FSW becomes faster and more versatile, more industries than ever are moving toward this type of welding.

The Benefits:

FSW shows its high cast as a modern-form joining operation.

A computer operator wearing blue, noise-canceling headphones with a small microphone attachment, sits working in front of 6 computer monitor stacked three on top of three. Behind the monitor is a large structure, which nose-cone to the Orion spaceship, it appears to be a green cylinder surrounded by white pipes and tubes.

Unlike other forms of welding, FSW can be automated which increases precision and reduces manufacturing times. Manufacturing time is further decreased because FSW only takes one pass to weld metals and because there is no filler material nor melting, eliminating the need for post weld work, such as splatter cleaning.

FSW is also hyper-modern by being more environmentally friendly and less wasteful (it does not have consumable parts) and not producing nauseous gases during the process.

Other benefits of Friction Stir Welding include:

Increased strength (High tensile, fatigue & bend properties)
Improved sealing, completely void-free leak proof joints
Reduced thermal distortion and shrinkage
Improved repeatability
The ability to join two different alloys
Good for welding metals such as aluminum alloys that can be hard to weld
Cost effectivity

The top users: Marine and Transportation

Both of these gigantic industries – marine and transportation – incorporate FSW into their manufacturing operations. Public transportation alone has a market size of 75.6 billion dollars[i], and for shipbuilding, without considering the other sectors of the naval industry, the market size is 29 billion.

Other key sectors are also keen on taking advantage of FSW. Below we highlight just one benefit FSW gives each of the following sectors:

Air Transport:

The Benefit: Weight Reduction

The long underbelly of an airplane, which has two undulations for engines, and the landing gear down against a completely white backdrop giving the image a classic black & white feel.

One of the simplest ways to increase efficiency in transport vehicles is by reducing weight. Marine, air, and land transport vehicles are foregoing rivets, clinch nuts, or traditional MIG or TIG welding in their manufacturing processes in favor of FSW which doesn’t add any weight to the structure.

“Weight is one of the biggest challenges to aircraft manufacturers. Using FSW to join aluminum alloy stringers to skins for aircraft wings and fuselage structures will reduce weight by the removal of thousands of rivets, and any overlapping aluminum material. A leading aircraft manufacturer estimated that potential weight savings of approximately 2.2 lbs. per meter of FSW could be made.[i]”

Aerospace:

The benefit: Easy welding of hard-to-weld alloys.

Space X’s Falcon 9 Flight 17's first stage attempting a controlled landing on the Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS) against an early evening sky as the fiery hot gasses are expelled toward the landing pad, creating a misty exhaust.

Some types of difficult-to-weld aluminums can frustrate traditional welding attempts. In addition, joining dissimilar aluminum alloys has always been a challenge due to the different chemical and physical properties of the metal.

Recently, aerospace companies have begun using FSW, a solid-state welding technique, to surpass these limitations. Today, some fuel tanks for spacecraft – made out of hard to weld aluminum alloys – are premanufactured using FSW[i].

Marine Ships:

The benefit: Better production habits, taking advantage of prefabrication, modular building, and assembly lines.

A scene with a backdrop of green hills covered with small shrubs and trees. On a waterway, a large white cruise ship with one smoke stack creates white foam as its hull breaks through the water.

As if a precursor of things to come, the first commercial use of FSW was on ships, specifically on hollow panels used for freezing fish on fishing boats.

Today, many ships use friction stir welded floors, decks, and bulkheads. By using FSW, shipyards reduce the amount of work needed to be done, shifting the work to assembly-line factories[i]. Many parts can be manufactured in production lines improving safety, accuracy, and efficiency. Not only that, the industry can take advantage of the best pre-fab and modular practices that will further decrease production times.

Today’s cruise ships are light weight structures which allow shipbuilders to build taller ships while keeping the center of gravity lower. Designed with all the heavy machinery at the bottom and lightweight aluminum materials at the top makes them inherently stable even as ship designs are getting taller and taller, demonstrating how sufficient safety can be achieved.

Ultimately this translates to one thing: bigger ships mean MORE FUN!

Whether it’s the freighters that carry the goods from our globalized economy, the military vessels that keep our oceans safe, or the cruise-lines that give families unforgettable vacations, all these sectors are seeing cost and efficiency saving with FSW.

Trains:

The benefit: Safety

a long, white high speed train with orange trim at the bottom. The train disappears into the distance as it rests at an empty platform with tile floors and a metal roof with a long row of lights and a skylight running down the middle on the roof.

This industry in particular has honed in on the advantages FSW offers in crash safety. FSW is the best welding process for creating safe designs:

“Modern passenger rail cars are increasingly produced from longitudinal aluminium extrusions with integrated stiffeners.

This design approach can enhance the crashworthiness of vehicles […] Large aluminum extrusions with complicated shapes are [being used].[i]”

Freight Trailers:

The benefit: Stability

Underneath a fiery red sky, a blue lorry and trailer travel along a paved highway road followed by a car while on the other side of the double yellow line, two empty lanes extend off into the distance.

Anyone traveling behind an 18-wheeler on highways knows just how the wind and road shakes the trailers. By using FSW on the floorboard of their trailers, some freight companies argue that their trailers have become more stable than ever. “The aluminum extrusions become one at the molecular level, making the floor a single-piece of rigid aluminum.[i]” The end result? Less wear on the tires and better fuel mileage.

Other industries:

Other industries taking advantage of friction stir welding include the automotive, construction, and defense industries, among others. It has even been incorporated to make stronger snowmobiles and lighter coolant systems.

The strong, lightweight welds that can be used on hard-to-weld alloys have every industry that uses aluminum and aluminum extrusions looking to gain a competitive advantage.

Companies that have specialized in aluminum and aluminum extrusions are the front line for delivering FSW benefits to customers. For more information, please visit Taber Extrusions. With a long tradition of proving aluminum and aluminum extrusion solutions, Taber Extrusions provides companies all the advantages of FSW in one location.

Industries Served by Taber Extrusions:

Distributors
Government | Military Contracts | Department of Defense
Aircraft | Aerospace
Marine | Shipbuilding
Infrastructure | Platforms | Decking
Electrical | Power Transmission | Electronics
Transportation
Sporting Goods
Industrial, Agricultural, and Mining Equipment
Structural Components
Specialty Architectural

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 new 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. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of 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.

______

i https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/public-transportation-united-states

ii https://www.twi-global.com/who-we-are/who-we-work-with/industry-sectors/aerospace/joining-of-airframe-structures/friction-stir-welding-of-airframe-structures

iii https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/published-papers/industrialisation-of-friction-stir-welding-for-aerospace-structures-december-2001

iv https://www.twi-global.com/who-we-are/who-we-work-with/industry-sectors/aerospace/joining-of-airframe-structures/friction-stir-welding-of-airframe-structures

v https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/published-papers/creating-a-stir-in-the-rail-industry-november-2001