29 01, 2013

Aluminum Demand Up And Still Growing

2015-06-18T15:33:37+00:00January 29th, 2013|

2012 was a banner year for aluminum. Between innovative advances in manufacturing and groundbreaking design usages, along with award-winning vehicles, 2012 showed that demand continued to grow in North America. From industry journal Metal Bulletin (subscription required for the full article and note the foreign spelling of aluminum):

US and Canadian aluminum demand edged up through most of 2012, even as production slipped, according to industry figures compiled by the Aluminum Assn and the Aluminium Assn of Canada.

Demand (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled more than 21.19 billion pounds in the first 11 months of 2012, up 5.7% from nearly 20.04 billion pound the previous year…

Where does that leave us today? The aluminum industry appears to be on an upward path. During Alcoa’s fourth-quarter earnings report, company representatives spoke of a positive projection for the 2013 fiscal year. From 4-Traders:

Among other Dow components, Alcoa gave up a morning advance to slip 0.2% after the aluminum giant reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings that matched estimates and revenue that was well above forecasts. The company also said it expects the pace of aluminum demand growth in 2013 to increase from 2012.

As an industry, this is exciting news. It indicates the quality of the material in an age where designs focus on the right combination of cost, durability, and weight. With January in the books, there’s no reason to think that it won’t be a case of onward and upward for 2013.

23 01, 2013

Farewell Bill Wetmore, Welcome Allan Annis

2015-06-18T15:33:37+00:00January 23rd, 2013|

It’s the end of an era for Taber Extrusions, as the company is seeing a shift in leadership. Bill Wetmore arrived at Taber in 2008 following nearly 30 years in the aluminum industry. He guided Taber until his recent retirement at the end of 2012. With more than three decades of service in the aluminum industry under his belt, Mr. Wetmore has more than earned his retirement — which he’s currently enjoying in the northern Georgia countryside.

Of course, the show must go on, and Taber Extrusions is proud to announce Allan Annis as its new President. From our official press release:

Taber Extrusions LLC is pleased to announce that Allan Annis has joined our team as Taber’s President. Annis succeeds Bill Wetmore who retired from Taber at the end of 2012. Annis will oversee both of Taber’s manufacturing facilities which are located in Russellville, Arkansas and Gulfport, Mississippi.

Annis comes to Taber from Hydro Aluminum where he was the Vice President of their Southeast Region. In this role, Annis was responsible for the Hydro plants located in St. Augustine, FL and in Belton, SC.

Prior to Hydro, Annis was previously with Rockwell Automation where he served as Director of Lean Enterprise and also as Plant Manager in two of Rockwell’s Power Systems facilities.

Please join us in wishing Bill Wetmore well in his retirement, along with a hearty welcome to Allan Annis. Here’s to a bright future for them both.

17 01, 2013

More Car Manufacturers Using Aluminum For Key Components

2015-06-18T15:33:37+00:00January 17th, 2013|

While it’s true that aluminum made a splash in the automotive industry with Tesla’s Model-S, the material’s integration into other manufacturer’s design and production lines is more subtle — however, it’s still significant. With federal goals for MPG pressuring car companies to innovate for materials and engineering, it shouldn’t be a surprise that aluminum is becoming the go-to choice for design.

From commuter sedans to trucks to performance sports cars, FenderBender reports that upcoming aluminum integration includes:

  • 2013 Honda Accord (hood, sub-frame, rear bumper)
  • 2014 Chevrolet Silverado (hood, suspension, engine components)
  • 2014 GMC Sierra (hood, suspension)
  • 2013 Cadillac ATS (hood)
  • 2014 Maserati Quattroporte (body panels)
  • 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 (hood)
  • 2013 Scion FR-S (hood)

This increase in aluminum use on the show floor echoes findings from the latest survey of automakers by Ducker Worldwide that asserts automakers are accelerating their shift away from steel to aluminum to help meet consumer and federal fuel economy demands. The survey indicated that aluminum is not only the leading material in the engine and wheel markets, but fast-gaining market share in hoods, trunks and doors.

Automakers have said they plan to increase their use of aluminum from 327 pounds in 2009 to 550 pounds in 2025.

With weight being one of the driving factors in MPG, it’s likely that aluminum materials will have become part of the norm due to properties such as strength and weight. The Model-S’ Car Of The Year award was a first, but chances are it won’t be the last vehicle with aluminum to win such a prize.

18 07, 2012

Uses Of Aluminum: Construction

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

For the everyday Joe, aluminum is probably only thought of in the commercial sense: soda cans, wrapping foil, etc. Our new Uses Of Aluminum series of posts will educate the reader on how widely aluminum is used throughout the world.

When it comes to construction, people often think steel. After all, steel is generally seen as the strongest metal — that’s why Superman is called the Man Of Steel, not the Man Of Copper. However, the construction industry is constantly evolving with the latest casting technology. That means a greater range of materials used for critical purposes, and aluminum is near the top of the list.

Bridges, buildings, homes, even oil rigs — aluminum is everywhere in our daily lives. Why is this? Aluminum’s low weight is a major selling point. Of course, low weight means nothing without other properties, and aluminum comes with the strength and durability necessary for use in a variety of situations.

Those situations include traditional uses such as frames, siding, and roofing. However, the construction industry is always pressing forward with new and innovative ideas, and with aging bridges and structures requiring renovation and reinforcement, aluminum’s many benefits make it a smart alternative to the materials of the past.

5 06, 2012

Aluminum Extrusions Mirror Creates Optical Illusions

2015-06-18T15:33:39+00:00June 5th, 2012|

According to Fast Co.Design, the small Spanish design studio MUT Design has created a mirror, Zig Zag, a series of octagonal aluminum extrusions faced on one side with a strip of mirror.

The extrusions are airbrushed in rusty oranges and muted blues, forming lovely gradients of colors “inspired by the favorite landscapes of the team.” They are then soldered together at varying widths and oblique angles, creating reflections that fracture and displace the user.

Read the full article.

30 05, 2012

Aluminum Extrusion Market Booming

2015-06-18T15:33:39+00:00May 30th, 2012|

According to Steel Guru, the aluminum extrusions market in the United Arab Emirates is booming, and is “estimated to be in excess of 175,000 tonnes about 35% of the total GCC demand growing at a CAGR of 8% to 9% for the time period from 2011 to 2017.”

Read the full article.

1 05, 2012

Increased Use of Aluminum in Boat Construction

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00May 1st, 2012|

According to Yacht and Boat, The new 2012 models from Bayliner in the 175 and 185 both feature an aluminum forward swept tower.

Constructed of aluminum, the angle of the tower has been created to compliment the curves of the boat from the deck line to the waterline, providing shade and cover for passengers and allowing for full vision for the driver.

The trend of using aluminum in boat construction is highly popular in Australia, as showcased by the Aluminium Boats Company of Brisbane.

Build your next boat with aluminum: save weight and the environment and help create jobs!

10 04, 2012

Aluminium in Naval Design

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00April 10th, 2012|

According to a recent article in Maritime Journal, the US Seafighter vessel was an 80m craft designed for 52 knots with 500 tons of deadweight. Designer John Bonafoux said, “It was the first vessel designed to the new US Naval Rules. It had to take two helipads so we developed specialised aluminium extrusion for the helideck structure to minimise weight. This was double skinned, and can survive the high helo dynamic load, although the plate is only 3mm thick, a tremendous project.”

Once again, aluminium extrusions are used in design for less weight and more efficency.

Read the full article.

27 03, 2012

An Animation of The Aluminium Extrusion Process

2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00March 27th, 2012|


The animation illustrates a complete cycle of aluminium extrusion production, including die heating and transfer, billet heating, sawing, transfer to press, extrusion, cooling, sawing, stretching, stacking and ageing, and was developed and released by Sapa AB and Materials e-Learning Technologies under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 unported license.



Watch the video and learn more about aluminium extrusions.


20 03, 2012

Stable Demand for Aluminium Packaging

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

According to a recent article, on Packaging Europe’s website, aluminium packaging manufacturers in Europe had great financial year in 2011.

 

The article claims:

 

“At 401,300 tonnes (t) of aluminium foils, tubes, and aerosol and beverage cans, aluminium packaging manufacturers were producing almost at the high level of the previous year (2010: 405,000 t).”

 

The article also notes that there was an increase in beverage can production, and manufacturers of aluminium aerosol cans grew considerably and achieved a new record in production. Additionally, there was a strong demand for aluminium in the European markets of food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

 

According to Manfred Mertens of Hydro Aluminium,

 

“Aluminium is one of the best-performing packaging materials. It has universal applications and excellent barrier characteristics – either as mono-material or used together with other packaging materials, in cases where food requirements and optimum protection of the content are the factors to be satisfied.”

 

Read the original article and learn more about the demand for aluminium packaging.

 

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