18 05, 2011

The Process of Aluminum Extrusion

2015-06-18T15:33:41+00:00May 18th, 2011|

“Extrusion” is often defined as the process of shaping a material, such as aluminum, by forcing it to flow through a shaped opening in a die. The extruded material emerges as an elongated piece with the same profile as the die opening. 

In thinking about the extrusion process, consider a Play Doh Fun Factory and how it might work. Think of the Fun Factory as the extrusion press, the handle as the ram, the shape bar as the die, and the Play Doh as the aluminum billet.

The first step is to choose the desired shape and color. Think of the shape as the die which will be used and the color as the temper and alloy needed. Next, the Play Doh is inserted into the holding chamber and pressure is applied to the handle, which forces Play Doh through the shape. In an extrusion press, pressure is applied to the billet by the ram where the dummy block is attached to the end of the ram stem.

When Play Doh begins to emerge, it has effectively been “extruded”. The same principles apply to extrusions from aluminum billets but considerably more detailed and sophisticated technology are involved.

Press size determines how large of an extrusion can be produced. Extrusion size is measured by its longest cross-sectional dimension (i.e. its fit within a circumscribing circle). A circumscribed circle is the smallest circle that will completely enclose the cross section of an extruded shape.

The most important factor to remember in the extrusion process is temperature. Temperature is most critical because it gives aluminum desired characteristics such as hardness and finish.

4 05, 2011

Tips for Extrusion Design

2015-06-18T15:33:41+00:00May 4th, 2011|

When you start designing a new extruded aluminum piece, there are several important factors you should keep in mind.  Here is a quick list of design tips to get you started:

1. Know the circle size of your vendor.  If you don’t know the extruder’s limitations you’ll likely design a part they can’t produce and end up redesigning the part or shopping it around to find a fit.  Additionally, the greater the circle size the more tolerance becomes an issue.  Start working with an extruder early on.  Some offer engineering support and some don’t.

2. Evaluate your tolerance requirements to that which your extruder can support. You can look to aluminum.org for design guidance in addition to your extruder.  Aluminum.org’s information is somewhat technical however.  So, for quick answers call/email your extruder or you can use Qualified Vendor’s quote service to find suppliers.

3.  If your parts require secondary machining, make sure you design in indexing features.   This can be as simple as an extruded groove in which the machinist can use to take a hole dimension off of.

4.  Wall thickness – design them as uniformly as possible.  This will prevent voids in the extrusion.

5.  Designate critical and cosmetic surfaces. This will prevent unintended marring of critical surfaces.

6.  Heat sinks – as a rule of thumb, fins should not exceed 10:1 length to thickness.

7.  Screw bosses – keep a 60 degree opening otherwise the die will require a torpedo which will significantly affect the cost and life of the die.  Use your machinery’s handbook for McMaster Carr for screw hole guidance.  I recommend self cutting/starting thread forming screws.  They’re inexpensive and yield a great strength, so much so that you need to be careful when inserting them so you don’t shear off the heads – use a driver with a clutch.

8.  Make transition areas smooth with gentle radii.

9.  Select the proper alloy for your application and make sure your extruder can use this alloy.  Many only work with one or two series of aluminum – 2XXX or 6XXX are most common.

10.  Lastly, consider your finish.  Design with appearance and performance in mind.  Don’t forget that the parts have to have secondary operations, packaged and shipped.  Many finishes like anodizing will change your tolerances.  Keep this in mind.  Likewise, if you’re going to powder or wet paint your finished parts make sure you designate which features (holes, grooves, etc.) need to be masked off to prevent paint contamination.  This may affect your final assembly.

31 03, 2011

Aluminum Extrusions are used for defense systems

2015-06-18T15:33:41+00:00March 31st, 2011|

So just how do aluminum extrusions factor into the military world you may ask? Well since extruded aluminum can be found in many aspects of defense systems, I will start by exploring how armor, armored cars, decking and missile containers all use extruded aluminum. One can see that when quality aluminum extrusions are used for all aspects of defense, the defense systems in place will be more thorough.

Military and armored vehicles have to stay upright even when there is a massive use of force against them. Aluminum extrusions also are used for launch pads! It is pretty exciting to find out that aluminum extrusions are used for such an exciting aspect of military defense. Next time you are reading up on technological feats within the military there is a chance that there is some form of extruded aluminum being used!

9 03, 2011

The transportation industry is key for aluminum extrusions

2015-06-18T15:33:42+00:00March 9th, 2011|

When understanding how aluminum extrusions fit into our lives, it is important to look to transportation. Most forms of transportation are in some way aluminum extruded. So what forms of transportation do we at Taber use our aluminum extrusions for? Some aluminum-extruded vehicles include military vehicles, beverage trucks and delivery vehicles.

Aluminum extrusions are also used for transportation needs such as rail cars, light rail systems, and buses. For those of you who ship our aluminum extrusions are also used for shipping containers.

Aluminum extrusions can be found many facets of our lives because transportation serves as a key example of an industry where behind the scenes aluminum is a key player. Click here to view more information on aluminum extrusions and transportation.

4 02, 2011

Taber Extrusions receives Boeing Performance Excellence Award

2017-01-26T23:37:32+00:00February 4th, 2011|

Media Contact:
Kristen Tischhauser, talkTECH Communications
Kristen@talkTECHcomm.com
Phone: 773-655-7706

Taber Extrusions receives Boeing Performance Excellence Award
Leading U.S.-based manufacturer of aluminum extrusions will join exclusive group of suppliers recognized by the Boeing Company

Russellville, Ark. (February 1, 2011) – Taber Extrusions LLC, a U.S.-based corporation supplying American-made aluminum extrusion profiles to some of the most prolific government programs and leading international corporations, has received a Boeing Performance Excellence Award (BPEA) for 2010.  The Boeing Company issued this award in recognition of Taber Extrusions’ composite performance rating over the twelve-month period from October 2009 through September 2010.
The award places Taber Extrusions among a select group of suppliers who achieved either a Gold or Silver level recognition:

“Our company has been committed to supplying the highest quality aluminum extrusions and supporting our OEM’s needs on schedule for nearly four decades,” remarked Taber Extrusions President, Bill Wetmore.  “We are extremely honored to be a recipient of this award as we consider Boeing to be one of the worldwide premier OEMs.”

Steve Althardt, Taber’s sales manager whose direct interaction with customers like Boeing and keen understanding of the men and women whose dedication to the company are the driving force behind their success, added: “Our ability to meet and exceed Boeing’s stringent requirements is confirmation of our efforts in these areas.  This is an award celebrated by every level of employee at our company and speaks directly to the nature of our core competency: customer service.”

Taber Extrusions supplies intermediate to heavy press structural extrusions for various Boeing Commercial airplanes including 747, 767 and 777.  The company has manufactured aircraft and aerospace extrusions since 1973, servicing the Commercial, Military and General Aviation markets.

About Taber Extrusions LLC
In 1973, Taber Extrusions LLC (www.TaberExtrusions.com) pioneered the extrusion of large, heavy and wide complex shapes to differentiate itself in the aluminum extrusion industry. Today, Taber Extrusions continues its tradition of breaking boundaries as an extrusion leader in the production of a range of quality aluminum extrusions sizes and shapes. The company offers extrusions in 2000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 alloy series. Since its inception, the brand name Taber Extrusions has been synonymous with innovation, service and quality. All extrusions are engineered, manufactured and tested in the United States. Taber Extrusions maintains its headquarters at the Russellville, Arkansas facility, with a regional sales office also at its Gulfport, Mississippi facility.

7 10, 2010

Top 5 ways to serve your clients

2017-01-26T23:37:32+00:00October 7th, 2010|

Over the past several decades, we have not only grown in our ability to provide the best, customized aluminum extrusions, but we’ve also learned a thing or two about how to serve our customers.

As a small company, rooted in our Southern charm and good old fashioned neighborliness, we thought we’d share our secret ingredients to keeping those who matter most happy!

Here are the top 5 ways we serve our clients:

1) Quality. Our quality programs have allowed us to be a leading supplier of high quality aluminum extrusions for nearly four decades. 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 their end-product procurement time.

2) Honesty. We supply standard and custom shapes to all distributors and provide services in many areas including government, military, shipbuilding, rail car, electronics, etc, therefore honesty is an important component when it comes to service. It is in our code of ethics to be honest and straightforward with our clients because there are strict guidelines we need to follow to insure safety and correct protocol standards in the industry.

3) Innovation. Our customer-first approach, combined with a long-standing tradition of extrusion excellence, allows us to turn almost any idea into a design application related to aerospace, transportation, mining, military, electronics, marine, shipbuilding, R&D projects, and sporting goods. Consumer manufacturers from around the globe trust us for their most important, unique, and customized extrusions, allowing us to keep our clients as leading innovators in their industry.

4) Customized Capabilities. The unique, customized capabilities are key, which is why our specialty is the manufacturing of complex and intricate extrusions which competitors consider difficult or even impossible. Our full range of extrusion presses, from 1800 and 3000 ton to large 8600 ton, give us unmatched flexibility and profile capabilities.

5) Commitment to Extrusion Excellence. We have an unwavering commitment to consistently meeting and exceeding customer expectations by providing both products and service of the highest quality. For example, one of the largest extrusion presses in the U.S., our 8600 ton press has the capability to extrude both 16 and 20 inch round billets, and 10” x 28” rectangular billets with a maximum circle size of 29-1/2” and up to 85 lbs. per foot. With the ability to extrude large, intricate configurations, such as lightweight but strong one-piece extrusions, the customer can incorporate whole assemblies of small components into one extruded part.

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