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Process Overview |
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Extrusion Process
The Extrusion Process begins with the billet,
the raw aluminum material that is used to extrude aluminum
shapes. The billet is a cylindrical shaped log that is
cast from pure aluminum and small percentages of iron,
magnesium, copper, silicon, manganese, zinc, chromium and other
elements to form an aluminum alloy. The logs are delivered
and cut to size depending on the shape and the weight per foot
of the part. The aluminum billet is placed in a billet
heater that will take the billet to a soft state (approximately
900° F.) so it can be extruded through the die. The heated
billet is placed into a billet loader and in the extrusion press
container. The extrusion ram is forced through the
container pushing the billet into the die and out of the die
onto a run-out table where it is cooled to room temperature.
This process can be visualized by imagining a tube of
toothpaste, or a cake decorating pastry tube and squeezing the
tube until the toothpaste, or icing comes out of the opening.
The opening of the toothpaste, or pastry tube
having a selected design on the end will result in the extruded
paste or icing coming out in the shape of the design. |
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This photo shows a new length of extrusion
just emerging from the press. The die has four cavities
that allow identical shapes to be extruded at once. |
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The metal is
cooled on the cooling table and moved to the stretching
operation, where is is stretched to straighten and remove any
deformities caused by the cooling process. The next step
is the cutting operation that produces the required length of
the extruded shape for further processing or finishing.
The aluminum is still in a soft state as it is cut to size and
must be heat treated to give it the required mechanical
properties. The heat treating process allows the aluminum
to be artificially aged by taking the aluminum up to a certain
temperature (approximately 350° F.) for an extended period of
time and cooling the aluminum down to room temperature.
The aluminum is now in a hardened state and ready for the next
process that may include finishing, fabrication or final
assembly. |
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This diagram shows the basic steps
involved in extruding and aluminum profile |
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Packing an Shipping |
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Aluminum profiles can be package in a variety of ways from bare
batten bundles to cardboard surround, paper interweave to wood
crates. |
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Packaging
After heat
treat, the extruded shapes are removed to the packing and
fabrication departments for finishing or fabricating, or to be
packed and prepared for shipment to the customer.
Most extrusion
plants are equipped to accommodate any likely packaging
requirement. Extruded shapes are packed and palletized in
various ways to protect them from surface damage, twisting, or
other severe hazards. Some customers will specify their
own packaging requirements, or the type of extruded product may
need a special or particular method of packaging for ease of
storage and/or delivery. Delivery of the extruded shapes
is accomplished by company owned tractor trailers, or by common
carrier, whichever is more convenient or less costly. |
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Back to Overview |
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