7 10, 2024

How Taber Does That: Aluminum Extrusion Innovation and Technology

2024-10-30T20:57:37+00:00October 7th, 2024|

Taber Extrusions logo below the title of the article showcasing aluminum extrusion innovation and technology with stacked aluminum billets in the background.

Aluminum extrusion innovation and technology are driving advancements in industries like aerospace, defense, and infrastructure. Taber Extrusions leads the way, using cutting-edge machinery like the Haas VF12 CNC and friction stir welding to produce high-quality extrusion billets, micro-extrusions, and custom profiles.

With a commitment to sustainability and efficiency, Taber continues to innovate, offering superior aluminum solutions. This blog highlights their technological journey, including the upcoming SMS Press set for 2026.

Timeline of Technological Advancements

Taber Extrusions has achieved significant technological milestones, establishing itself as a leader in the aluminum extrusion industry. Taber’s aluminum extrusion innovation and technology started on its founding in 1973, Taber has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation, expanding its capabilities with strategic facility acquisitions, advanced machinery, and cutting-edge processes. This timeline highlights key progressions, underscoring Taber’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

1995: Gulfport facility expansion

Taber acquires an extrusion facility in Gulfport, Mississippi, providing easy access to ports and industrial scraps. This facility includes two additional presses and a cast house, increasing their in-house capabilities to cast, extrude, and fabricate products.

Taber Extrusions groundbreaking ceremony favoring “Taber branded” shovels at the Russellville facility.

2014: Additional fabrication capabilities in Russellville

The Russellville facility expands to include comprehensive fabrication capabilities, featuring the B&O B-800 series, Marvel band saws, machining centers, and a Zeiss coordinate measuring machine for precision and quality control. Taber also installs the 8600-ton extrusion press, significantly enhancing their ability to produce extensive, complex aluminum profiles.

2017: Increased billet capacity

Taber adds 7-inch billet molds to their existing 9”, 11”, 16”, and 20” diameter molds, increasing billet capacity by over 30% and enhancing their ability to serve defense, marine, and specialized industries.

Taber Extrusions’ Gulfport casting table had to be engineered to fit the existing circular casting pit.

2018: Ultra-precision extrusions

In 2018, Taber successfully relocated and initiated its micro-extrusion press lines. This expansion significantly broadened their supply options, offering extrusion solutions, programs, and services. Taber’s latest ultra-precision extrusion manufacturing lines accommodate profiles with a circle size of 3 inches or less and a weight per foot of 1 lb. or less.

Unlike traditional extrusion presses, these micro-extrusion presses can create profiles with a remarkable wall thickness of 0.010 inches and tolerances as tight as +/- 0.001 inches. Designers and engineers now have the flexibility to develop previously impossible profiles to extrude using conventional presses.

2019: Friction stir welding (FSW)

Taber integrates friction stir welding technology at their expanded Russellville facility, producing superb welds with minimal distortion. This technique is essential for aerospace, rail, automotive, shipbuilding, transportation, and marine industries.

A large industrial CNC milling machine with grey hues featuring a control panel on the right side.

2021: Haas VF12 CNC machine

The addition of the Haas VF12 CNC machine significantly boosts Taber Extrusions’ precision machining capabilities. This advanced equipment allows for producing complex aluminum parts with stringent specifications, enhancing their ability to meet diverse and demanding project requirements.

The Haas VF12 CNC machine features a large working area and high-speed capabilities, making it ideal for machining intricate components with exceptional accuracy and efficiency. This investment underscores Taber’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions and maintaining the highest quality standards in their manufacturing processes.

Upcoming SMS press installation

Taber Extrusions plans to commission North America’s largest direct press in 2026 — a 1100-ton press equipped with a 16-inch container. Designed specifically for the aerospace industry, this state-of-the-art installation promises advanced heat solutions and the ability to handle hard and soft alloys. Safety features, precise alignment mechanisms, and stringent quality controls ensure superior performance. As Taber continues to shape the future of aluminum extrusion, this investment underscores their commitment to innovation and excellence.

The 10,000 UST front load direct press incorporates reliability enhancements such as an IAS induction heater for billet taper and a comprehensive Log Wash System. Vertical log storage increases capacity, while the TERS System optimizes energy efficiency, saving 6-8% in consumption. Downstream enhancements include a high-performance multi-spray zone system, quench and cooling simulation, and in-line solution heat treatment meeting rigorous specifications. Taber Extrusions is an industry leader ready to deliver world-class products and services to clients through adjustable racks and an AGV system.

Technologies and Innovations

Aluminum billets at Taber Extrusions’ Gulfport, Mississippi facility - showcasing their “made in America” in-house aluminum billet capabilities.Taber’s aluminum cast house ensures premium extrusion billet production, while their diverse alloy offerings (1xxx-7xxx series) cater to industries like aerospace, defense, and infrastructure. Advanced machinery like the Haas VF12 CNC and friction stir welding (FSW) technology enhance precision and reliability. The upcoming SMS Press in 2026 will further advance large and complex profile production.

Taber’s environmental initiatives reduce energy consumption and costs, backed by ISO 9001:2015 and Nadcap certifications.

Industry Impact

Taber’s advanced technologies, such as the SMS Press and friction stir welding, support the production of critical components for aerospace, defense, and infrastructure. Their high-quality aluminum alloys ensure reliability and performance in aerospace applications, while their robust, durable solutions are essential for military projects. In infrastructure, Taber’s maintenance-free aluminum profiles enhance the longevity and sustainability of construction and architectural projects.

Beyond these sectors, Taber has evolved into a multifaceted aluminum extrusion company, serving industries like automotive, marine, and sporting goods. Their comprehensive services include custom extrusion, fabrication, heat treatment, and quality assurance, meeting a wide range of client needs.

Partner with Taber Extrusions

Transform your business by partnering with Taber Extrusions, the industry leader in aluminum extrusion innovation and technology. Taber positions itself to deliver reliable, high-quality aluminum extrusion solutions tailored to your needs, leveraging their comprehensive approach and state-of-the-art capabilities. Elevate your projects with precision-engineered profiles, sustainable practices, and unmatched expertise.

About Taber Extrusions

Taber Extrusions, located in Russellville, AR, and Gulfport, MS, is highly regarded as a provider of aluminum extrusions to various industries. Their commitment to excellence is evident through advanced processes and state-of-the-art machinery. Beyond military applications, Taber serves markets such as aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods. With ISO 9001 and AS 9100 certifications ensuring quality, Taber is a reliable partner for customers seeking extruded aluminum components and value-added machining services in North America.

Contact Taber Extrusions today and experience the difference of working with a trusted partner committed to excellence and innovation in every aspect of aluminum extrusion.

24 05, 2018

Aluminum Extruders Engaging New Generation of Frigate Builders and Defense Contractors

2018-05-24T18:09:11+00:00May 24th, 2018|

The U.S. Navy is prepared to spend a generous amount in order to meet its ambitious specifications list as it prioritizes its FFG(X) program.  Recently, the U.S. Navy  announced they are willing to spend roughly $1B per ship, which should buy a very capable surface combatant. With this news, aluminum extrusion manufacturers are eager to provide extrusions for selected frigate designers/builders.

Read all about this and the requirements set by the Navy for the FFG(X) in this recent article by Tyler Rogoway of The Drive, which says “Defense contractors from around the globe are seeing this program as a rare opportunity to get a foothold in shipbuilding for the U.S. Navy, and multiple existing foreign designs could potentially be adapted for the Navy’s use. This is in addition to well-established domestic vendors that will be competing for the opportunity with their own designs as well. Supposedly about eight designs are being looked at by the Navy, all of which were submitted following the service’s initial RFP that was released last year.”

“This is an effort to get the design right up front,” Rear Adm. Ronald Boxall, The Navy’s surface warfare director said in an interview with Defense News. “We’re looking to have a dialogue with industry to get the most capability for the best price…. we want to see what industry comes back with. From there we’ll lock it down and go into the detailed design and construction phase and we can get this thing out by 2020.”

Who are the companies that have been contracted by the Navy to compete for the frigate bid?

  • Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi
  • Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York
  • Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas
  • Detyens Shipyards Inc., North Charleston, South Carolina
  • Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama
  • Lockheed Martin Inc., Baltimore, Maryland
  • Marinette Marine Corp., dba as Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin
  • General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
  • Nexagen Networks Inc., Marlboro, New Jersey
  • Adept Process Services Inc., National City, California

Aluminum extrusions have played a part in military and defense industries for a long time, and known for their contribution to the U.S. Navy’s the Littoral Combat Ships.  The LCS are agile and flexible surface combatants which operate close to shore, reconfigurable for various duties from special operations, maritime intercept, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance. The Aluminum Extruders Council explains, “With design criteria stressing agility, it’s not surprising that extruded components, with their high strength and light weight, play an important role in the LCS program. Among other applications, truss sections, joined with friction stir welding, are used for decking, and T-sections, again joined via friction stir, are incorporated in the hull and superstructure.”

It will be exciting to see which ship will become the U.S. Navy’s next frigate, and what 2020 will bring.

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 cast house, two additional presses, and a fabrication area that 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 to announce the launch expanded capabilities to include aluminum micro-extrusions.

If you have any questions please visit taberextrusions.com or contact one of Taber’s Regional Sales Managers. Taber Extrusions is committed to continue their legacy by saving clients time and money with custom aluminum shapes extruded with precision and the full range of aluminum alloys.

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