Dajcor Aluminum

How fabricating aluminum extrusion allows for designer creativity while consistently meeting client requirements

Fabricating aluminum extrusion incorporates various tools to help bring aluminum products one step closer to the client, whether that be a building contractor or a store owner who needs to supply cans of pop to thirsty customers. Without jeopardizing a designer’s creative specifications or high-quality standards, cutting, drilling, punching, tapping, and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining can be used in the process of fabricating aluminum extrusions.

1. Creative specifications can be met when cutting aluminum extrusions

Fabricating aluminum extrusion does not have to sacrifice creativity. Designers have more creative freedom with aluminum than with other metals, including steel. This is in part thanks to two different cutting techniques; precision cutting and mitre cutting help produce shapes that can be seen in everyday building structures and products. There is more than one type of precision saw and mitre saw. Depending on the types of angles that a client specifies, different precision and mitre saws will be needed. Mitre saws are a bit more precise than the former saw, which is why it is used to cut more intricate shapes. When a client needs a complicated corner or angle to be cut, double mitre saws are a great way to fulfill the client’s specifications.  

2. Drilling can enlarge holes

It might not be an easy procedure, but drilling is seen as the best way to enlarge holes when fabricating aluminum extrusion. Like other tools for fabricating aluminum extrusion, there are various ways to change the outcome of the drilling procedure. According to Aluminum Design, sometimes a task calls for special bits, which are generally only used when a client needs soft alloys or expansive holes. Bits might need to be sharpened, especially if the drill uses standard bits. It is necessary to use high speeds while drilling, which can be controlled by CNC machines.

3. Punching will repeatedly produce consistently sized holes

Holes might always be round, but they can be made in different sizes. The trick is to ensure that the hole is always the right size specified by the client. Punching is a great way to guarantee that every time a hole is punched, the hole will not differ from any of the other holes for that order. Even if a client needs a hole to be punched 42 times or 5,000 times, the hole size will remain consistent. The punch press machine ensures that the size of the punch matches the size of the resulting hole. This cuts down on waste, which is why, economically, punching is considered to be most popular hole-creating procedure for fabricating aluminum extrusion.

4. Tapping and threading work together to produce top-quality holes

Tapping is a process that uses internal and external threading to create holes in aluminum extrusion. Like the different types of saws, there are different ways to use tapping when fabricating aluminum extrusion. Lathes, bench-type drills, and vertical milling machines can be used for tapping. According to Aluminum Design, heat-treatable alloys should be used to get the best possible results. There are two ways to complete internal threading. Either a single tap or repeated tapping can be administered to produce a hole. If a client needs a particularly strong thread, external threading is a great option.

5. CNC machining cuts cost when fabricating aluminum extrusion

CNC machining is a fully automated method of fabricating aluminum extrusion. CNC machines incorporate more than one process of fabricating aluminum extrusion, which means that less labour is involved to cut an aluminum extrusion. While there may be new software upgrades or updates, fabricating aluminum extrusion will not have to wait a long time before the machine is back up and running again. Updates occur quickly, and if for any reason a previous update is required, it is easy to revert to the older version.

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