15 08, 2024

Why Use Aluminum for Charging Stations and Other Electrical Components

2024-08-16T18:22:27+00:00August 15th, 2024|

The text, “Why Use Aluminum for Charging Stations” is printed on a photograph of an electrical vehicle charging station with a blurred city skyline background. The Taber logo is under the wording.

With electrical vehicles (EVs) expected to make up 50% of new car sales by 2030, billions in funding has been set to create a network of charging stations. As the demand for EV infrastructure grows, selecting the right materials for these stations becomes crucial. This raises a key question: why should aluminum for charging stations be the material of choice?

Let the leading aluminum extruder, Taber Extrusions, guide you through the key advantages of using aluminum for charging stations. We’ll delve into the common aluminum alloy series employed in these applications and examine its role in other aluminum components within the realms of electrical power transmission and electronics.

Key Advantages of Using Aluminum for Charging Stations

  1. Reduce cost of post-process expenses

Aluminum extrusions can be designed to incorporate aluminum components such as heat sinks, screw ports, grooves for mounting components, integrated hinges, or combining pieces to slide parts together.

In doing so, it removes the need for additional post-process activities like milling and welding, speeding up assembly and reducing costs. Also, due to the soft nature of aluminum, any products needing milling are easier to mill than most other material choices.

  1. Thermal conductivity

Efficient thermal management is essential for electrical components. Aluminum’s high thermal conductivity helps dissipate heat effectively, preventing overheating and enhancing the performance and safety of charging stations.

  1. Corrosion resistance

Aluminum is known for its corrosion-resistant properties, which is crucial for charging stations exposed to harsh environmental conditions, ensuring longevity and reliability. Additionally, it does not require coating for rust control, creating more cost savings and lower maintenance costs.

  1. Cost-effective material option

Aluminum’s low melting point makes it more affordable, since it requires less energy to melt which reduces energy costs. It heats and cools quickly, speeding up production and lowering labor costs.

  1. Lower transportation costs

Aluminum’s lightweight nature makes it an excellent choice for EV charging stations, which often need to be installed in various locations including remote and urban areas. The reduced weight lowers transportation and installation costs without compromising strength.

  1. Recyclability

Aluminum is 100% recyclable, aligning with the sustainability goals of the EV industry. Using aluminum in charging stations supports a circular economy, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing processes.

A graphic entitled “Advantages of Using Aluminum for Charging Stations” depicting the benefits, which include an icon of a welder with text “reduces post-process expenses,” a recycle symbol with the text “100% recyclability,” a hand holding a dollar sign with text “cost-effective material,” a thermometer next to text “thermal conductivity,” an icon of missing pieces of a water drop shape with “corrosion resistant,” an 18-wheeler with “lower transportation costs.”

Common Aluminum Alloy Series Used for Charging Stations

Different applications within EV charging stations require specific aluminum alloys to meet varying demands. The most used aluminum alloy series include:

This aluminum alloy is heat treatable and weldable. Known for its high levels of corrosion resistance, strength, and flexibility, these alloys are widely used in infrastructure projects. Using the 6XXX series aluminum in charging infrastructures would be an ideal option, as well as for items like the battery housing, motor housing or power station components.

  • 5000 Series Aluminum (hard alloy):

These alloys offer higher strength and weldability; as well as excellent corrosion resistance especially in marine environments, making them suitable for both structural and electrical applications.

Pure aluminum (99% or higher) is used in electrical applications where superior heat and electrical conductivity is required. It is commonly found in electrical transformers and power grids. An excellent choice for busbars in the e-charging stations.

A graphic entitled “Aluminum Series & Functionality” with a design plan for an e-charging station with the word “infrastructure” on top of it and “6000 Series Aluminum” below it, a photo of electrical components for a charging station with the words “Electrical Conductivity” on top of it and “1000 Series Aluminum” below it, a photo of two e-charging stations at the beach with the words “Marine Environments” on top of it and “5000 Series Aluminum” below it.

Aluminum in Other Electrical Components (electrical / power transmission and electronics)

Beyond EV charging stations, aluminum plays a critical role in various electrical components, particularly in electrical / power transmission and electronics:

  • Cables and conductors: Aluminum is extensively used in electrical cables and conductors due to its high conductivity and cost-effectiveness.
  • Heat sinks and enclosures: In electronics, aluminum’s excellent thermal conductivity makes it ideal for heat sinks and enclosures, helping to manage heat dissipation effectively.
  • Busbars: Aluminum busbars are favored in power distribution systems for their superior electrical conductivity and lightweight properties.

Choosing aluminum for charging stations and other electrical components is a strategic choice driven by cost-effectiveness and intrinsic material properties. This selection accelerates production and installation, prolongs product lifespan, and meets essential functional requirements.

Taber Extrusions Takes the Lead in Incorporating Aluminum for Charging Stations

As the EV market grows, aluminum will be pivotal in developing efficient, durable, and sustainable charging networks. And who is better suited to take the lead than the leading aluminum extruder, Taber Extrusions? This leading aluminum extrusion company specializes in making aluminum alloys and aluminum components such as motor housing, heat sinks, and other power station components integral for electric vehicle charging stations.

Leading the Way in Extrusion with Precision Engineering and Quality Assurance

Taber comes with a team with vast experience in advanced equipment for extruding aluminum components such as SolidWorks (CAD design) and CAD Software (Auto CAD). To ensure topnotch quality assurance, Taber is certified and approved by several international and industry standards:

  • ISO 9001:2008 (Technically equivalent to EN9100:2009 and JISQ 9100:2009)
  • AS 9100C
  • ABS QUALITY ASSURANCE Program certificate no. 11-MMPQA-652. ABS Mill approval to produce extruded aluminum alloys Products for Marine applications 5083H111, 5086H111, 5454H111, 5456H111, 6061T6, 6082T6. Maximum diameter: 1.0-inch Casting process included.

About Taber Extrusions

Taber Extrusions is your premier full-service partner unwaveringly committed to consistently meeting and surpassing customer expectations. We deliver products and services of the highest quality, a testament to our dedication to excellence. This steadfast commitment forms the core of our value-added philosophy, ensuring that we provide exceptional value and superior performance in every aspect of our business.

Contact Taber Extrusions to get a quote or connect with our team at 1-888-984-3795.

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!

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3 04, 2022

Our Top Aluminum Microextrusion Blogs of All Time

2022-07-08T17:14:48+00:00April 3rd, 2022|

Blue shaded gradient over a photograph of a bridge tower and its suspension cables on the left and the U.S. flag on the right. Taber’s logo is at the very top and beneath it are the words, “The Shape of Endless Possibilities.” The logos designating minority-owned business enterprise (ISO 9001, AS 9100, NADCAP, and ABS-certified) are across the bottom in white print.

A lot has been said about the future of nano and microtechnology. This area of aluminum extrusion, which focuses on creating ever smaller products, promises solutions to age-old problems. On the silver screen, sci-fi productions have shown nano bots crawling into humans as a futuristic form of medicine. The Terminator film franchise explored the military potential of nano technology in a self-healing liquid metal of robots. Yet, examples like these are not actually all that farfetched. From self-healing metal to invasive medicine, a whole new realm of possibilities has been opened by tiny manufacturing.

At Taber, we are part of this revolution with our microextrusions. 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. Our microextrusions have found application in a wide range of industries, which we have previously explored in a series of articles on these miniscule creations.

1) Taber: Microextrusions for Defense and Aerospace

6 military jets flying across a blue sky above two military vehicles (tank and a ship) facing away from each other. The words “Taber: Microextrusions for Defense and Aerospace” are in black above the ship.

Taber Extrusions has experienced many evolutions since its founding in the early 1970s. Taber pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet of solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Since then, it 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. Lightweight, strong, and widely functional, microextrusions are perfect for military and aerospace components. Interior aircraft systems, AC condensers, communication systems, and firearm components all use microextrusions. Read more about it here.

2) Process, Benefits, and Examples of Medical Microextrusions

A darkened photograph of a medical room with a bunch of white medical appliances. The words, “Process, Benefits, and Examples of Medical Microextrusions” are positioned on top of the photo in white.

You don’t have to go in for a colonoscopy to understand the benefit of smaller medical tools. The microextrusions used in medicine include components that overwhelmingly support cardio- and neurovascular procedures, drug delivery, IV procedures, and other procedures that require work on a micro level. An added challenge for medical manufacturing is that conventional extrusion machinery is not quite precise enough, so it calls for special machinery. Medical microextrusions are created at a very slow rate to maintain the physical properties of the delicate material and create ultra-precise extrusions.

3) Microextrusions in the Consumer Electronics Sector

A lengthwise photograph of an open computer motherboard with all the different ports and circuits exposed, many of which are made of aluminum microextrusions. In the center of the photo are the words, “Microextrusions in the Consumer Electronics Sector” in white text.

The most widespread and easy-to-spot place where miniature extrusions are making a difference in consumer products is in electronic products. Portable, durable, and complex, computational devises like laptops and smartphones have increasingly smaller parts. From enclosures to motherboards and LED profile bays, microextrusions have become a fundamental part of electronic devices. This article outlines more aspects of consumer electronics that use precision aluminum extrusions in their design.

Often used in medical and surgical procedures, microtubing is a highly-valued type of microextrusion. Aluminum can provide three times as much volume per pound as other metal products – so when too much weight is detrimental, aluminum is an obvious choice. Aluminum is also anti-corrosive, making it an ideal material for many types of environments.

A metal ruler lying flat on the surface of a table showing a length of 8 inches, while several aluminum microtubes are suspended above the ruler and the words “Aluminum Microtubing Rapidly Developing in Sync: Microextrusions” are in black above the ruler and on top of the tubes.
Blue shaded gradient over a photograph of a bridge tower and its suspension cables on the left and the U.S. flag on the right. Taber’s logo is at the very top and beneath it are the words, “The Shape of Endless Possibilities.” The logos designating minority-owned business enterprise (ISO 9001, AS 9100, NADCAP, and ABS-certified) are across the bottom in white print.

This last blog outlines Taber’s capabilities, ranging from friction stir welding to microextrusions. Through Taber’s unwavering commitment, present and future customers can expect expanded extrusion solutions, programs, and services in the coming years… and find endless possibilities. Read more about it here.

Despite its broad application in today’s products, the potential of microextrusions is still just being explored. As miniature aluminum extrusions become smaller and more precise, industries will continue to find new ways to create futuristic solutions to modern problems. Taber offers the highest levels of quality and the broadest range of capabilities in the industry, designed to be ready for whatever design tomorrow brings.

 

Taber Extrusions: Summary

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet, enabling 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 the military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. With in-house casting solutions, ultra-precision extrusion manufacturing, friction stir welding capacities, and a full range of hard and soft aluminum alloys, Taber 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 complete offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market. Adding these capabilities to a growing portfolio 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

16 12, 2020

Microextrusions In The Consumer Electronics Sector

2024-01-12T04:12:17+00:00December 16th, 2020|

A sleek, modern wooden desk with various consumer electronics neatly organized across the top. Items include a laptop, iPad, two cell phones, small stereo speakers, and headphones.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you familiar with Moore’s Law?

Gordon Moore, the co-founder of Intel, made a striking observation: the number of transistors on a dense integrated circuit doubles about every two years. In essence, as computer hardware grows more complex, it shrinks in size.

Consider the evolution you’ve witnessed. The first bulky smartphone you bought in 2007 pales in comparison to the sleek, powerful device you carry today. The latest models are slimmer, yet larger and far more powerful in terms of energy-per-gram than their predecessors.

Tech companies are always pushing for smaller, micro-sized innovations, and industrial OEMs must evolve with new technologies to compete.

Microextrusions represent such an innovation, offering features, tolerances, and surface finishes once thought unachievable. This advancement gives design engineers the freedom to explore new component designs that improve functionality and performance over traditional extruded parts.

We’ll now examine several consumer electronics components that utilize precision aluminum extrusions in their designs.

CPU HEAT SINKS

The CPU, or central processing unit, serves as the computer’s brain, executing arithmetic, logic, and I/O operations from other computer components’ instructions. The intense activity can cause CPUs to overheat, necessitating a heat sink for heat dissipation and cooling.

Microextrusion technology enables the creation of even more efficient heat sinks. Maintaining an optimal CPU temperature is crucial for sustained performance.

MOTHERBOARDS

Motherboards utilize microextrusions for ethernet and USB port housings, as well as for DVI, HDMI, and audio in/out ports.

This technology is vital for the CPU socket too, often incorporating a latch to secure the CPU and connect it to the motherboard.

GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNITS

High-end graphics cards, like NVIDIA’s Titan V, feature an aluminum casing that not only protects the GPU’s internals but also adds an aesthetic appeal.

HARD DRIVE BAYS

Modern hard drives come with mounting brackets and fit into an extruded aluminum bay within the computer case. This secures them during operation, which is crucial as hard drives are sensitive to physical shocks.

: A close-up view of a computer circuit board of some kind, with various ports and exposed wires.

LED PROFILE BAYS

Microextruded profile bays serve as housings for LED lights, utilizing ultra-fine materials and plastics that not only allow the LEDs to emit light effectively but also offer protection from environmental elements.

EXTRUDED ENCLOSURES

Aluminum, a non-sparking, melt-resistant, and rust-proof metal, is ideal for enclosures, especially for consumer electronics that contain sensitive magnets. Its versatility allows customization to meet any product’s specific requirements.

About Taber Extrusions

Established in 1973, Taber Extrusions has been at the forefront of extruding rectangular billet, allowing for the production of large solid profiles up to 31 inches wide and hollows up to 29 inches. With the acquisition of a Gulfport, MS extrusion facility in 1995, Taber not only broadened its capabilities with a cutting-edge cast house and two additional presses but also enhanced its micro-extrusion and fabrication services.

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.

28 08, 2018

Microextrusions for Consumer Electronics

2018-08-28T19:36:35+00:00August 28th, 2018|

Are you familiar with Moore’s Law?

It’s an observation made by Gordon Moore, cofounder of Intel. It posits that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles every two years. Put simply, this means that computer hardware, as it becomes more complex, also becomes smaller.

You’ve seen it firsthand. Compare the bulky first smartphone you purchased back in 2007 to the shiny new smartphone you have in your pocket right now. It’s thinner, bigger, and packs WAY more energy-per-gram than it did a decade ago.

As tech companies are in a constant race to make things micro-sized, industrial OEMS must seek out new technologies to keep up.

Enter microextrusions – a recent process that delivers features, tolerances, and surface finishes previously believed to be impossible. Advancement in microextrusion allows design engineers the freedom to utilize component designs in microextrusion which enhance functionality and performance beyond normal extruded parts.

Below, we outline some different aspects of consumer electronics that rely on precision aluminum extrusions in their designs.

CPU HEAT SINKS

The CPU (central processing unit) is akin to the brain of the computer – it performs the arithmetic, logic, and I/O operations based on the instructions from other computer components. This heavy workload leaves CPUs prone to overheating, and as such, require a heat sink to disperse heat and keep the component cool.

Advancements in microextrusion technology allow for heat sink designs to disperse heat even more effectively. Keeping your CPU at a good operating temperature is essential for long-term performance!

MOTHERBOARDS

Microextrusions are used in motherboards to create housing for ethernet and USB ports, as well as housing for DVI, HDMI, and sound input and output ports.

Microextrusions are also used for the crucial CPU socket, which often uses a latch to securely house the CPU and attach it to the motherboard.

GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNITS

Graphics cards, such as NVIDIA’s recent Titan V, are often housed in an aluminum shell to keep the internals of the GPU safe and secure (and it looks absolutely stunning to boot!).

HARD DRIVE BAYS

Most modern hard drives come with mounting brackets, and are housed in a computer case by sliding them through an extruded aluminum hard drive bay. This keeps them secure during operation – hard drives are very susceptible to damage from physical shock, so keeping them secure is important!

LED PROFILE BAYS

LED lights are often housed in microextruded profile bays – the extremely fine materials and plastics used to create it allow the LED lights to shine through while also keeping them protected from the environments.

EXTRUDED ENCLOSURES

Since consumer electronics often make use of sensitive magnets, aluminum is perfectly suited to house those components. This is because aluminum does not spark, melt, or rust, and can be customized to fit the need of any product.

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, 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.

Taber Extrusions has recently enhanced its portfolio of services with the addition of ultra-precision aluminum extrusions®. Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its full line up offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services and raw material supply to the North American market.

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.

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