6 12, 2024

The Gift of Innovation in Aluminum Extrusion

2024-12-16T13:39:19+00:00December 6th, 2024|

The Taber silver and gold logo on a background of dark aluminum panels striping at a diagonal. A red ribbon and bow off center to the left, wraps the middle with the words “The Gift of Innovation in Aluminum Extrusion” on the right. In the upper right corner are glowing strings of gold stars and lights.

How can a company stay ahead in the competitive aluminum extrusion industry? Also, how do businesses find the right mix of advanced technology and meet the needs of industries that demand the impossible? In what ways does a company give the gift of innovation in aluminum extrusion and be successful? The answer: by becoming a case study in client-driven innovation.

By adapting, growing, and using cutting-edge solutions, Taber’s success is built on trust. Clients know that Taber is driven by the challenge to meet their specific needs. The result is innovation in aluminum extrusion solutions.

With a legacy of solving complex challenges across industries, Taber Extrusions has built a reputation for delivering precision and quality in every project. From advanced CNC machining to innovative friction stir welding (FSW) techniques, Taber provides custom aluminum extrusion solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client.

Client-Driven Innovation at Taber Extrusions

For over 50 years, Taber Extrusions has led aluminum extrusion innovation. This leadership is driven by technology and evolving client needs. Each project presents unique challenges, which Taber meets with comprehensive capabilities. Advanced equipment in their aluminum casthouse and friction stir welding (FSW) technology ensures precise, high-quality parts. As a fully integrated extruder, Taber handles the entire process — from producing aluminum alloys to custom fabrication services like aluminum cut-to-length.

Clients trust Taber because of its ability to handle even the most complex requirements. The company’s upcoming big press for aluminum will produce large, intricate extrusions for heavy industries, while its ultra-precision extrusions will deliver the accuracy needed for critical applications in sectors like defense and aerospace. Taber’s approach goes beyond technology; it integrates technical expertise with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. This commitment to understanding and solving client challenges drives every advancement Taber makes.

How Taber Turns Problems into Possibilities

At Taber, innovation means utilizing cutting-edge technology to deliver customized solutions for various industries. Their CNC machines allow them to provide exact components, ensuring that even the most complex profiles meet their clients’ exacting standards. Whether for transportation or military applications, Taber engineers every extrusion to perform.

Taber takes immense pride in its friction stir welding (FSW) capabilities, which have revolutionized the joining process for aluminum extrusions. FSW allows for superior strength in aluminum welds without additional filler material, making it ideal for industries such as marine and automotive, where durability is critical. With this advanced welding technique, Taber can create components with exceptional structural integrity and enhanced performance.

They demonstrate their commitment to excellence through their aluminum profiles and aluminum distributor services. With a wide selection of soft alloys and hard alloys, Taber meets the diverse material needs of industries from architecture to electronics. Consequently, their clients trust them for reliability, knowing they consistently deliver precision and innovation in every order.

Taber’s Latest and Greatest Innovation in Aluminum Extrusion

Taber Extrusions views every project, requirement, and challenge as an opportunity to innovate. The company attributes much of its success to the partnerships it has forged with industries that consistently push the boundaries of aluminum extrusion. By trusting Taber with the most demanding projects, clients enable the company to grow and deliver innovative solutions.

A person’s hand in a dark setting “holding” an illuminated circular object with the word “TABER” and the silver and gold Taber logo visible inside the circle.

Looking ahead, Taber remains focused on expanding its capabilities, investing in advanced technologies, and continuously enhancing its services. For industries seeking reliable and innovative aluminum extrusion solutions, Taber offers high-quality products and a true partnership driven by mutual success.

Visit Taber Extrusions online today for more information on how cutting-edge technology and a customer-first approach can meet your needs.

About Taber Extrusions

Taber Extrusions, a minority-owned business enterprise, holds AS 9100D, NADCAP, and ABS certifications, reflecting its commitment to quality and industry standards. Founded in 1973, Taber pioneered the extrusion of rectangular billets, producing solid profiles up to 31 inches wide and hollow profiles up to 29 inches.

In 1995, Taber expanded its operations by acquiring a Gulfport, MS extrusion facility, which includes a state-of-the-art aluminum cast house, two additional presses, and enhanced value-added fabrication services. Taber continues to extrude billets in various alloys and sizes, including 7” billet molds.

Over the years, Taber has expanded its market presence beyond military origins into aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods. The company provides a wide range of extruded products in both soft and hard alloys to meet industry needs. As a forward-thinking company, Taber remains dedicated to evolving with its clients’ needs, delivering “The Shape of Endless Possibilities.” Taber would like the opportunity to take on your next challenging project and share in the gift of innovation. Call 888-984-3795 today and thank you!

Taber follow us icon

Follow Us On Social Media!

6 11, 2024

How Taber Does That: Real-World Aluminum Applications That Protect a Nation

2024-11-06T14:21:35+00:00November 6th, 2024|

Silhouettes of two soldiers saluting against a sky with the text “Taber Does That: Real-World Aluminum Applications That Protect a Nation” and the Taber logo in the foreground.

How does the U.S. military stay ahead in global defense? It’s not just through advanced strategies and technology, but also the materials that support its infrastructure. Aluminum applications, particularly specialized alloys, play a critical role in defense, aerospace, and satellite construction. Offering a unique mix of strength, durability, and lightweight properties. The right alloy can be the difference between mission success and failure, whether on the battlefield, in the skies, or beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Aluminum applications have evolved, now supporting everything from portable landing fields to satellite components. The defense and aerospace sectors need materials that withstand extreme conditions while maintaining their adaptability and lightness. Engineers rely on specialized aluminum alloys to meet these demands, ensuring robust and reliable systems.

The Role of Aluminum in Modern Applications

  • Aluminum in defense

Aluminum’s prominence in defense applications stems from its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. It maintains high strength while remaining lightweight, a necessity for ground and aerospace military operations. 7000 and 2000 series aluminum alloys are widely used to create high-strength, lightweight armor and military vehicles. These alloys are tough and resistant to cracking, making them perfect for armored vehicles and portable military infrastructure.

  • Aluminum in aerospace

In aerospace, aluminum alloys are the pillar of modern aircraft construction. Its strength and lightweight properties are vital in constructing modern aircraft, from commercial airliners to advanced fighter jets. The 7000 series, in particular, is prized for its high strength and resistance to fatigue, ensuring that aircraft can endure the stresses of flight over extended periods.

Additionally, aluminum is also essential for aerospace structures that demand both strength and corrosion resistance. Critical components like wing spars, fuselage frames, and landing gear rely on these alloys for safety and longevity. Additionally, aluminum’s lightweight nature enhances fuel efficiency, making it indispensable in an industry where every kilogram saved improves both cost and performance.

  • Aluminum in satellites

Beyond Earth’s atmosphere, aluminum applications are key in satellite construction. Aluminum satellite components require high strength and resilience against the vacuum of space and extreme temperature changes. Durability and reliability are critical, as repair or replacement is impossible once in orbit. Advanced techniques like friction stir welding (FSW) enhance the mechanical properties of aluminum, ensuring that satellite components perform flawlessly in space.

Large satellite dish under a starry night sky, with surrounding treetops in the foreground.

As demand for satellites grows — whether for global communication, Earth observation, or space exploration — the need for lightweight, reliable materials like aluminum alloys becomes more apparent. Due to its versatility, various satellite components use aluminum, from the structural framework to the shielding that protects sensitive electronics from cosmic radiation.

Taber Extrusions: A Leader in Aluminum Applications Across Industries

Upcoming Upgrade: A New Era of Manufacturing Excellence

Taber Extrusions is set to revolutionize its production with the installation of a state-of-the-art press line, reaffirming its commitment to innovation and quality. This upgrade, detailed in their recent press release, represents a major leap forward in their manufacturing capabilities. The new press line enhances Taber’s ability to meet the complex demands of the defense, aerospace, and satellite sectors.

With this advanced press line, Taber can efficiently produce high-strength lightweight armor and critical components for military vehicles, aerospace structures, and satellite systems. The design of the press line enables it to handle a wide range of hard alloys, including the 7000 series and 2000 series, ensuring Taber continues to offer materials meeting stringent requirements for modern applications. This investment firmly positions Taber as a leader in advanced aluminum solutions, vital to the nation’s infrastructure and defense systems.

The top of the Statue of Liberty is on the left with the Taber logo below it. The headline to the right of the Statue of Liberty says, “The Shape of Endless Possibilities — Taber Extrusions” above a collage of four images of Taber Extrusions’ equipment and their warehouse.

Friction Stir Welding and Beyond

Taber’s friction stir welding (FSW) capabilities are particularly noteworthy across all sectors. FSW enhances the mechanical properties of 7000 series and 2000 series aluminum alloys. A feature that makes them perfect for durable, long-lasting components in defense, aerospace, and satellite industries. The opening of a new FSW facility in Arkansas further underscores Taber’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for these critical applications.

In aerospace, Taber’s expertise in producing aluminum alloy for satellites ensures that components can endure the harsh conditions of space. Their focus on delivering BABA-certified (Build America, Buy America) aluminum extrusions reinforces their commitment to sourcing and manufacturing within the United States.

Taber Extrusions: Delivering High-Strength, Lightweight Aluminum Applications for Defense, Aerospace, and Satellite Industries

In industries where precision, durability, and reliability are non-negotiable, Taber Extrusions has established itself as a cornerstone supplier across the U.S. defense, aerospace, and satellite sectors. By providing high-strength, lightweight aluminum solutions tailored to the rigorous demands of these applications, Taber supports the ongoing efforts to innovate, protect, and advance both on Earth and beyond.

About Taber

Taber Extrusions specializes in producing architectural aluminum products in unique shapes and sizes for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, marine, and infrastructure.

Since its founding in 1973, Taber has expanded from its military roots to become a leader in the aluminum extrusion industry. With advanced tools and capabilities, Taber offers custom solutions such as precise micro-extrusions, friction stir welding (FSW) services, and a variety of aluminum alloy options. Their CNC machining line enables the creation of custom aluminum components for various industries, while their value-added machining services and raw material supply serve customers across North America.

Explore the full range of aluminum applications and solutions from Taber Extrusions and see how they can elevate your next defense, aerospace, or satellite project. Visit Taber Extrusions’ website to learn more about their innovative materials and manufacturing processes that are shaping the future.

For more information, you can also call Taber at 1-888-984-3795.

Taber follow us icon

Follow Us On Social Media!

28 01, 2024

A Year in Review: Best Aluminum Extrusion Blogs by Taber Extrusions

2024-02-28T16:21:36+00:00January 28th, 2024|

A black paper cutout of the word “BLOG” stands out, with a notebook and pen beneath. In the center, the Taber logo is encircled by L-shaped borders in gold and blue, creating a stylish composition.

Taber Extrusions goes beyond being a premiere aluminum extruder; but serves as a comprehensive resource, offering valuable insights and practical solutions to common industry challenges through providing the best aluminum extrusion blogs possible. Covering everything from news and trends to tips for enhancing extrusion capabilities, Taber ensures that you stay well-informed.

Here’s some of our favorite aluminum extrusion blogs of 2023:

1. Large Aluminum Extrusion Design

Are you ready to go BIG? This blog talks about how Taber elevates aluminum extrusion capabilities to new heights. With an exclusive rectangular container, they lead the industry in producing some of the widest and most complex multi-void hollows. Their large press capability, exemplified by the 8600-ton press, ensures the transformation of big dreams into reality. Explore the advantages of partnering with Taber, from reduced assembly time to streamlined design possibilities. Go BIG with Taber— where innovation meets excellence.

Graphic with a background of 3 black and white photos. A poem about aluminum in a white font is printed on the photos. The one on the left is a photo of a high-rise building, the one on the top right is a photo of a plane, and the one on the bottom right is a photo of a ship
A portrait slide containing Tabers’ seven types of alloys and their descriptions.

2. Which Aluminum Alloys are Best for Welding?

Welding joins two or more metal pieces, creating a permanent and robust bond. Various welding techniques, including GTAW, GMAW, FSW, and laser welding, can be used for welding aluminum metals. However, welding aluminum can be challenging because of the oxide layer on its surface and its high thermal conductivity. The aluminum must be appropriately cleaned and decreased beforehand for a successful welding. Furthermore, you should use the appropriate welding technique and filler material.

If you’re curious about welding aluminum and want to know more about the different techniques and materials, you should check out this helpful blog post. It’s written in an easy-to-understand manner that’s perfect for anyone who interested in learning about welding, aluminum alloys, and metals joining.

3. Aluminum Extrusions for Military & Defense

Aluminum extrusions offer a lightweight yet sturdy framework, enabling easy customization into diverse shapes. In this blog by Taber, the focus is on the extensive application of aluminum extrusion in the aerospace industry, where it plays a pivotal role in reducing the weight of aircraft, enhancing fuel efficiency, and ensuring structural strength. Armored vehicles similarly leverage aluminum extrusions to fashion lightweight armor capable of withstanding gunfire, explosions, and fire.

: A collage of five applications of aluminum extrusions in the military and defense sector.

This article also underscores Taber’s steadfast commitment and continuous supply of aluminum extrusions to the military and defense sectors.

The top of the Statue of Liberty is on the left with the Taber logo below it. The headline to the right of the Statue of Liberty says, “The Shape of Endless Possibilities — Taber Extrusions” above a collage of four images of Taber Extrusions’ equipment and their warehouse.

Read the full blog here.

4. BABA-Certified: Aluminum Extrusions Manufacturer Sourced in the USA

The Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act is a set of rules that requires the government to buy things made in the USA for government-funded projects. Taber Extrusions is a company that proudly manufactures aluminum parts to supply America’s military and defense sectors – committed to sourcing all parts in the USA responsibly and with top quality in mind. Aluminum is a versatile metal that offers benefits such as resistance to rust, good strength-to-weight ratio, and malleability for shaping. Taber offers many kinds of traditional aluminum extrusions and related processes, such as aluminum casting, fabrication, friction stir welding, and precision extruding.

5. Aluminum Extrusions: Material Comparisons

This blog post centers on the revolutionary impact of aluminum extrusions in modern construction, emphasizing Taber’s ability to intricately shape structures with precision. It underscores how aluminum outperforms alternative materials like wood, plastic, steel, and other metals. The article further highlights the diverse variations in aluminum materials, showcasing aluminum is a wise choice across various applications in the extrusion process.

If you’d like to explore more of Taber Extrusion’s aluminum extrusion blogs, visit taberextrusions.com and follow them on social media so you can receive new blog alerts!

Aligned on the left is the blog title, “Aluminum Extrusions: Material Comparisons,” which is written in a bold black font with a dark and light grey transparent background and the Taber logo beneath it. On the right, are a bunch of aluminum pieces that are unevenly, yet elegantly stacked vertically, showcasing different shaped profiles on a clear white background.

More about Taber Extrusions

Taber specializes in creating aluminum products in unique shapes and sizes to various industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods.

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions has expanded its markets beyond the military and has become a leader in the industry. Working with various tools and capabilities to create custom solutions for their customers, Taber features micro-extrusions in precise shapes and sizes, friction stir welding services, and offers a wide array of aluminum alloy options. Taber also has a CNC machining line that allows them to create custom aluminum components serving a diverse range of industries. Taber offers value-added machining services and can provide raw materials to customers throughout North America.

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber team? Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com. You can also visit taberextrusions.com or call Taber Extrusions directly at: 1-888-984-3795.

3 03, 2022

Friction Stir Welding of Dissimilar Alloys

2022-07-06T21:52:32+00:00March 3rd, 2022|

A photograph featuring a person with long hair in a ponytail held down by a headband that looks like a chain and wearing blue rimmed protection glasses that reflect the room, looks at a panel carefully. Behind the panel is a friction stir welding spinner, which looks like a big hydraulic cylinder with a drill bit at the end and there is a plastic hose attached. Behind this, a red, metallic workbox and green wall is slightly out of focus. Must be read in the voice of the movie Voice-Over artist: “In a world where dissimilar metals cannot be joined, one path stands above the rest…”

Friction Stir Welding: The New Frontier in Welding

In 1991, an elegant new way to weld metals revolutionized the world. The process known as friction stir welding (FSW) moved welding out of the Stone Age and into the technology age, allowing precise, mess-free welding.

Friction stir welding is a solid-state joining process where a rotating and traversing FSW tool generates sufficient frictional heat along a joint between two metals to form a weld. It can be considered a “green” approach to joining since an external heating source is not needed and is more environmentally friendly than other methods since neither a flux nor a shielding gas are required.

There are several strength, speed, consumption, and cost benefits associated with friction stir welding. Many of these advantages are due to the fact that there is no microscopic melting during FSW, so the process is free of problems associated with traditional welding, such as porosity, lack of fusion, and change in material.

In this blog, we will discuss a remarkable benefit also associated with FSW: the ability to weld dissimilar aluminum alloys.

Welding of Dissimilar Alloys

Industries such as aerospace, military, transportation, manufacturing, and cargo ship production have a pressing need for welding dissimilar metals. Welding, instead of riveting, joints can produce significant cost savings while reducing the weight of their vessels or constructions.

Close-up view of a friction stir weld tack tool.

However, the welding of dissimilar alloys poses quite a conundrum. The different chemical and physical properties of dissimilar alloys can cause havoc as metals flow into each other during a conventional welding process.

For example, the different melting temperature, thermal conductivity, coefficient of linear expansion, and heat capacity of steel and aluminum causes their joint to be brittle whenever they are fused.

Friction Stir Welding: Easier Welding of Aluminum Alloys

Fortunately, FSW has proven to be an effective way to join similar and dissimilar aluminum alloys. In contrast to traditional fusion welding, FSW is free of the problems associated with fusion welding of dissimilar alloys, like porosity, segregation, and liquation cracking. For these reasons and more, higher joint quality is a characteristic of this approach.

FSW’s ability for welding dissimilar aluminum alloys at an industrial level is aided by being a solid-state welding technique.

A photograph of a stack of shiny, square aluminum plates, several at the top have the edges facing the same direction and the bottoms ones seem to be placed more haphazardly.

The Future of Friction Stir Welding and Dissimilar Alloys

 

Despite FSW’s success with aluminum, not every combination of metals can currently be welded by FSW, including some aluminum alloys. The formation of intermetallic compounds lowers weld quality.

Monumental efforts in research and development are being applied to the achievement of these FSW goals. This involves a lot of trial and error with spin speed, spin head and pin materials, and joint configurations.

Other options, such as submerged friction stir welding — submerging or having water run over the welding zone — might solve common problems associated with dissimilar welding alloys. The water helps extract heat from the joint, decreasing grain size and increasing tensile strength.

In other research areas, techniques such as friction stir knead welding have been used successfully to weld together very thin aluminum sheets with steel. The distinguishing feature of this variant of FSW is that it does not use the pin portion of the rotating tool.

Taber Extrusions friction stir welding facility in Russellville, Arkansas.

A Grand Friction Stir Welding Facility

 

In America, Taber Extrusions added a 60,000 square foot expansion to their facility in Russellville, AR, giving them FSW capabilities. The machine allows for Taber to continue producing their extra wide profiles. Through this addition, Taber can continue to create stronger, environmentally friendly aluminum welds at a much faster speed for clients.

With the promising future of FSW, Taber has established itself as a key-player for futuristic welding.

A circular graphic map showing the southeastern states of the United States in two shades of blue with broad white lines marking the borders and two inverse pyramids made up of yellow bars, the logo for Taber, marking the sites of Taber’s manufacturing plants located in Arkansas and Mississippi.

About Taber Extrusions

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.

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. 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.

Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its recently added VF-12 CNC machining line and a full 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 propels Taber into the future in a quest to continuously improve the quality and service we provide to our customers.

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

3 02, 2022

Creating The Best Aluminum Extrusions Company

2022-07-06T21:02:02+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.

Nine varieties of aluminum alloys in different extrusion profile shapes and sizes.

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.

Horizontal white and black letter blocks with the terms “customer” above “satisfaction,” vertical blue and white letter blocks with the term “loyalty.)

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 01, 2022

Taber Extrusions: The Shape of Endless Possibilities Since 1973

2022-02-03T22:46:16+00:00January 3rd, 2022|

A billboard-style, graphic presentation featuring various-sizes of rendered aluminum extrusions, with the words “Taber Extrusions, The Sky is The Limit” in large bold silver lettering and a caption that reads, “complex aluminum extrusions for virtually any application,” an inverted gold triangle logo next to the word “Sky” has a background of mountains behind it all.

Taber Extrusions has extrusions in the name, but it’s really a full-service aluminum extrusion company. Taber controls it all, from the casting of the billet, the extrusion process, fabrication, and finally, the logistics.

Taber possesses a commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations by providing both products and customer service levels that are of the highest quality. This commitment is at the core of their operating philosophy.

Taber Extrusions History

Taber Extrusions was founded in 1973, when the Taber family acquired an aluminum extrusion plant in Russellville, Arkansas from Dow Chemical (which had originally built the plant in 1970). National Material Company L.P. (NMLP) later purchased the company in 1976. The Arkansas facility was originally dedicated to the production of specific military-related, large, wide, and long extrusions for the U.S. government.

A graphic showing an outline of the state of Arkansas, with a red map pin and Taber’s gold inverted triangle logo marking Russellville. The words “The Shape of Endless Possibilities” are to the right of the map.

Taber’s Russellville facility houses the largest rectangular aluminum extrusion press in North America, which uniquely positions Taber to extrude super-wide shapes – much more comprehensively than is possible with traditional round containers. This rectangular container allows them to supply some of the industry’s widest, most complex, multi-void hollows.

In 1995, the Gulfport, Mississippi facility was acquired in response to the growing need in the domestic market for aluminum billet products. Taber added 7″ billet molds to their existing extrusion billet casting profile.

With the intention to expand even further, in 2015, Taber upgraded the Russellville fabrication facility even more. By 2017, Taber’s aluminum cast house expansion was completed and acquired 7″, 9″, 11″, 16″, 20″, and 10″ x 20″ rectangular billet molds.

Taber completed the relocation and start-up of its micro-extrusion press lines in 2018. This greatly expanded their supply possibilities with extrusion solutions, programs, and services. Taber’s newest ultra-precision extrusion manufacturing lines have a product envelope with a circle size of 3 inches or less and a weight per foot of 1 lb. or less. The micro-extrusion presses differ from traditional extrusion presses in that they can produce extrusions with a wall thickness of 0.010 inches and tolerances of +/- 0.001 inches. Designers and engineers can use these micro-extrusion production centers to develop profiles that would otherwise be impossible to extrude using conventional presses.

Angle on 8 new shovels with white Taber Extrusions hard hats resting neatly on each shovel handle, resting on holders just beyond a mound of freshly turned dirt from a nicely manicured lawn area in front of Taber’s Russellville, Arkansas aluminum extrusion facility.

In April 2019, Taber held a groundbreaking ceremony to announce its newest in-house FSW capability, making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never before seen in North America.

Congressman Steve Womack described how he sees Taber’s role from both a local and national perspective:

“The expansion of an existing company such as Taber Extrusions means a lot more than the location of a new company. It means that Taber is in the right place and has what it needs to succeed. Taber plays an important role in the defense of our nation with products that are an asset to our defense capabilities.”

“This was an obvious next-step for Taber,” said Jason Weber, V.P. of Sales and Marketing, in an article by Light Metal Age Magazine. “The company was founded in 1973, and never stopped diversifying, adding new capabilities, and technologies. We are known for aluminum extrusions, fabrication, billet casting, ultra-precision extrusions. Friction stir welding was going to happen eventually.”

A slick-looking 3D-rendered graphic of Taber Extrusion’s Haas VF-12 CNC machine on the right side of Taber’s official gold inverted triangle logo, and the words, “Introducing out new Haas VF-12/40”

As for the most recent addition to Taber’s extrusion capabilities, they announced the Haas VF-12 CNC. This one-of-a-kind machine allows Taber’s top engineers to design optimal extrusion shapes using specialized software to have them made within this “self-contained factory,” all in one precise and effective process.

Weber had this to say about their 2021 machining center expansion

We will continue to invest in technologies that provide the widest scope of services in the aluminum extrusion industry. The Haas VF-12 CNC machine is yet another example of our willingness to invest and deliver the widest scope of services across the aluminum extrusion continuum.”

See our company timeline infographic here.

Helping Shape Our Community

A graphic featuring the Taber inverted gold triangle logo and the words “Powered by Ambition” atop a background of aluminum decking profiles with a dark blue hue for a wallpaper effect.

Taber cares about the communities in which their employees live and work. Their goal is to provide their employees with a safe and secure workplace that has an emphasis on personal and professional development, as well as cultivating an attitude focused on delivering genuine and reliable service. Excellent customer service will always stand out, and Taber enjoys the many long-term relationships which have developed over the years because of the personal accountability that they give to their customers.

Forming and shaping the identity of a community is one of the greatest things about Taber’s position. Not only are local businesses like Taber a crucial element in creating a culture for the community, but they also build connections and relationships with the people.

Work at Taber Extrusions

As an aluminum extruder with extremely broad and unique capabilities there is no question that Taber’s employees have been the foundation of their success. They have developed an atmosphere where people are respected and appreciated. The Taber family plans to continue to foster careers that are right for their people, and right for their business. There is no question: Taber’s employees power their success.

A 2-panel graphic – right panel is a wide shot of an elegant rectangular black lacquer pedestal adorned with a silver cast hard hat with the NMLP inverted triangle logo with words inscribed. The left panel reads, “Taber Extrusions Russellville, AR. Awarded 2018 Safety Excellence Award.”

Pictured above: Taber Extrusions took home National Material L.P.’s 2018 Safety Excellence Award for exceptional safety management at their Russellville, Arkansas facility.

Taber is growing fast, and we are seeking talent in engineering, operations, sales, and more! You may be exactly what we’re looking for in our vision for future growth. Feel free to apply and place your resume in our database. We have an extensive community of career opportunities, and we are always on the hunt for great talent and professionals. You can also apply to an open position which will either match you to your next career move or place you in our network to receive job updates.

View our open career listings here!

Taber Extrusions: Summary

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.

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. 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. 

Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its recently added VF-12 CNC machining line and a full 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 propels Taber into the future in a quest to continuously improve the quality and service we provide to our customers.

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.

22 11, 2021

From Friction Stir Welding to Micro Extrusions: Leading Aluminum Extruder Taber is Vertically Integrated

2021-11-22T21:52:41+00:00November 22nd, 2021|

A graphic presented in various shades of blue, with a faint image of a bridge that resembles the Golden Gate, and an American flag flowing in the wind with the official Taber logo, the words “The Shape of Endless Possibilities,” and certification seals for ISO 9001, MBE, Made in the USA, NADCAP, and ABS Group.

Taber Extrusions, 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. A minority-owned business enterprise which is ISO 9001, AS 9100, NADCAP, and ABS 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 which houses a new state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, micro-extrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area has since 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 and supplies cast and extruded aluminum products in a variety of soft and hard alloys.

Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its added friction stir welding capabilities, full offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services and raw material supply to the North American market. The addition of in-house FSW capabilities makes Taber Extrusions a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never seen before in North America.

ALUMINUM EXTRUSIONS

A graphic with four square sections placed on top of a gradient steel beam background in varying shades of greyish blue hues. There are two collections of aluminum extrusion shape renderings; and the upper left reads “Aluminum Extrusions” with the official Taber logo prominently situated below.

Known as a leading aluminum extruder, Taber offers a full range of aluminum alloys including hard, soft, marine, and armor grade. Choose from 2000, 5000, 6000, and 7000 grades with custom chemistries available for specific metal fabrication needs. Taber’s aluminum extrusions range spans from less than 1 lb./ft. to over 140 lbs./ft., making Taber the broadest extruders of aluminum profiles in the industry. Their multi-void hollow capability is up to 29” wide, and they can produce solid extrusions up to 31” wide. As part of Taber’s value-added approach, they offer design assistance for custom and specialty aluminum profiles.

Taber also offers the only 28” x 10” rectangular container size in North America.

In a rectangular container, uniform metal flow in width and thickness of wider bars and profiles, the following is achieved in contrast to round container of similar geometry:

  • The flatness can be controlled to within 75% of AA specification on wide panel, multivoid hollow profiles of up to 29” width.
  • Contour on most profiles can be controlled as per the spec without secondary operations.
  • Superior dimension control and consistency throughout the length of the extruded profile.

FABRICATION CAPABILITIES

An extreme close-up photo of a CNC machine spindle with the words, “Introducing new state of the art aluminum fabrication facility – dedicated to innovation” in print on the right side.

Taber’s aluminum fabrication capabilities include precision sawing, horizontal machining and manufacturing, extra-large CNC machining, 5-axis CNC machining, multi-axis machining, and a vertical machining center. Taber’s cut tolerances cover length and squareness of cut (up to +/- .050″) across a maximum 36″ width (minimum cut length of .75″). These precision saw-cutting capabilities for rod & bar/standard extruded shapes and customized aluminum extrusion profiles saw cut with greater accuracy, providing their customers with a product precise enough to be loaded directly into their machining centers. The precision cut blanks save customers time and money compared to having to cut mill lengths in-house.

Machinery — Aluminum CNC machining services:

  • Haas VF-12… COMING SOON!! (Link to latest blog on this topic)
  • Haas VF-7
  • EMMEGI Satellite XT
  • OKK Horizontal Machining Center
  • Zeiss CMM

Machinery – Aluminum precision cutting & sawing services:

  • BO Saws B-800
  • Marvel Band Saw

Visit Taber Extrusions’ Fabrication web page for videos and details!

ALUMINUM CAST HOUSE

Taber Extrusion’s brightly lit, modernized Gulfport, Mississippi cast house, focus is on 16 large, stacked aluminum billets.

With the completion of a 2017 cast house modernization, Taber has increased its billet capacity by over 30%, expanded its range of high quality aluminum alloys (hard, soft, marine, aerospace, and defense), and enabled the use of more diverse scrap material in its process, allowing for the production of billet with high recycled content. “We have evolved into a fully integrated supplier with control over our raw materials by casting the alloys and diameters necessary to feed our extrusion presses,” says Eric Angermeier, President of Taber Extrusions.

Eric Angermeier, President of Taber Extrusions, seated at his desk with a welcoming smile.

“Our recent cast house modernization has significantly increased the billet quality that will flow through all aspects of our business. Our capabilities to serve diverse markets are greatly enhanced and we now have capacity for third party sales of extrusion billet and large forging stock,” Angermeier adds. (Read full article in Light Metal Age magazine here.)

Taber launched their “Billets Straight to You” (aluminum billets for immediate sale) campaign in 2020, which includes aluminum alloys 6061 and 6063, with 6005, 6005A, 6082 available upon request.

Taber Extrusion’s magazine ad showing a photo of billets being dipped for cooling by a Taber-branded billet lift, and the “Aluminum Alloys Straight to You” information, which is the same content provided in this article.

MICRO-EXTRUSIONS

A measuring ruler showing 6.5 inches with a series of micro extrusion shape renderings encapsulated in a 1” square box alongside 5 bullets of text explaining "Greater design flexibility, high-quality precision aluminum extrusions at machined tolerances, reduced costs, thin wall capability, and excellent surface finish."

Taber’s micro-extrusion manufacturing lines have a production envelope with a circle size of 3 inches or less and a weight per foot of 1 lb. or less. For comparison, the 8,600 ton press in Taber’s Russellville facility produces profiles with a minimum weight of 4 lbs. per foot.

Unlike traditional extrusion presses, these micro-extrusion presses are built to allow for the production of extrusions with wall thicknesses of 0.010 inches and tolerance capabilities of +/- 0.001 inches. These miniature extrusion production centers allow designers and engineers the freedom to create profiles that are un-extrudable through conventional presses.

Jason Weber, V.P. of Sales and Marketing at Taber Extrusions, wearing a light blue oxford and a white Polo zip-up sweater, smiling for the camera.

“As computers get smaller and smaller, the heat sinks used in those computers need to likewise get smaller… they can also be used in industrial applications, with housings for sensors, and in military applications, as components for drones. So, there’s a lot of market potential for micro-extrusions,” explains Jason Weber, Taber V.P. of Sales and Marketing, in Light Metal Age Magazine, 2018.

FRICTION STIR WELDING

Wide angle of Taber Extrusion’s friction stir welding machine with the headline in bold black capital letters, “FRICTION STIR WELDING: WE’RE READY FOR BUSINESS” with Taber’s official logo underneath.

Taber’s FSW capabilities include simultaneous two-side welding, double wall hollow extrusions up to 6.25 inches tall, 32 inches wide, and accepts lengths up to 65 feet long. Taber’s friction stir welding production cell is capable of creating panel assemblies 200 inches wide by 65 feet long, with integrated pre-joining profile trimming. With profile widths up to 31 inches, lengths up to 65 feet, and ability to weld up to 3/4 of an inch in a single pass, Taber has an operational envelope that is unmatched within the industry.

Friction stir welding is commonly used in the rail, automotive, marine & shipbuilding industries, military & defense, commercial & industrial construction, infrastructure, and in aviation & aerospace.

The addition of in-house FSW capabilities makes Taber Extrusions a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never seen before in North America.

“This was an obvious next-step for Taber,” said Jason Weber, V.P. of Sales and Marketing, in a 2019 article by Light Metal Age Magazine, “the company was founded in 1973, and never stopped diversifying, adding new capabilities, and technologies. We are known for aluminum extrusions, fabrication, billet casting, ultra-precision extrusions. Friction stir welding was going to happen eventually.”

 

LEADING ALUMINUM EXTRUDER TABER

INDUSTRIES SERVED:

  • Government/military
  • Aircraft/aerospace
  • Marine/shipbuilding
  • Infrastructure
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Transportation
  • Rail car
  • Mining
  • Industrial
  • Agricultural
  • Sporting goods
  • Custom shapes for most any application

Taber Extrusions is a full-service partner with an unwavering commitment to consistently meeting and exceeding customer expectations by providing both products and service of the highest quality. This commitment is at the core of everything they do… making certain that whatever you can dream, they can give it shape.

Thank you for your continued support of Taber Extrusions. 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

1 03, 2021

Taber: Microextrusions For Defense and Aerospace

2021-03-01T20:55:09+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 In2 cross 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.

11 01, 2021

Industries That Use Friction Stir Welding

2021-02-11T20:06:29+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

vi https://www.ttnews.com/articles/fontaine-brings-friction-stir-welding-revolution-trailer

 

###

21 12, 2020

Taber Extrusions: Our Friction Stir-Welding Timeline

2020-12-16T04:23:04+00:00December 21st, 2020|

: Infographic that illustrates Taber’s friction stir-welding timeline: 1. March 2019 2. April 2019 3. July 2020 – ending with a CTA that reads, “Learn more about friction stir-welding capabilities like you’ve never seen HERE!’’

 

Full-service provider of aluminum extrusions, Taber Extrusions, has completed the addition of in-house FSW capabilities, making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never seen before in North America.

Friction Stir-Welding Capabilities Like You’ve Never Seen

Adding to their legacy of innovation, Taber’s new FSW capabilities include simultaneous two side welding, double wall hollow extrusions up to 6.25 inches tall, 32 inches wide, and accepting lengths up to 65 feet long. Taber’s friction stir-welding production cell is capable of creating panel assemblies 200 inches wide by 65 feet long, with integrated pre-joining profile trimming. With profile widths up to 31 inches, lengths up to 65 feet, and an ability to weld up to 3/4 of an inch in a single pass, Taber has an operational envelope that is unmatched within the industry.

Friction stir-welding is commonly used in the rail, automotive, marine & shipbuilding industries, military & defense, commercial & industrial construction, infrastructure, and aviation & aerospace sectors.

 

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 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. Taber recently announced yet another exciting launch into friction stir-welding, positioning them as a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never seen before in North America.

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

Go to Top