Aluminum Extrusions for Industry: Solutions Improve Products

Many different industries rely on aluminum extrusion for the development of exceptionally durable, low-cost, and flexible production. Extrusion solutions for automotive industry challenges, including reduced emissions, increased fuel efficiency, and improved safety, have been touted by auto manufacturers and inspectors around the globe. Aluminum extrusion for consumer products has also increased, creating new opportunities to create long-lasting products that offer unique benefits, including electronics, computers, efficient replacement doors and windows, patio furniture, boats, sporting equipment, and much more. Aluminum extrusion is also used to help support LEED construction requirements, reducing global energy consumption considerably. The aerospace industry and aluminum extrusion also have a solid history, including the construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and advanced commercial airlines and military jets.

Aluminum Industry Solutions

There are many benefits associated with the use of custom aluminum extrusion in manufacturing right here in the United States and around the globe. Challenges presented to various industries regarding emissions, fuel economy, and other environmental concerns, coupled with the ability to fast-track product development, improve cost-effectiveness, and deliver flexible design, have made aluminum extrusion incredibly attractive to manufacturers. The high strength-to-weight ratio of aluminum alloys, corrosion resistance, and non-magnetic properties are just some of the inherent qualities that bring even more industries to the table.

One example of the aluminum extrusion industry in action are extrusion solutions for automotive industry challenges. Aluminum is approximately one-third the weight of steel while still providing similar strength and durability. As a result, a vehicle designed with just one pound of aluminum extrusion instead of two pounds of steel parts will save more than three gallons of crude oil and reduce as much as 20 pounds of CO2 emissions in its lifetime. Multiply that by the millions of new vehicles produced in the United States, and this is a considerable savings. Surveys reveal that automobile manufacturers in the US plan to increase the use of aluminum extrusions in consumer vehicles by more than 40 percent by 2025. Some of the parts being replaced include roof consoles, running boards, engine mounts, and tailgate frames, which all benefit from aluminum’s natural resistance to corrosion, as well as strength and flexibility in a crash scenario.

Custom designs can help save time and money, improve lead times, reduce material waste, and create better parts, components, and products for the industries they serve. Extruded aluminum can be used directly from the extrusion process, or it can be fabricated through a variety of secondary operations to make the finished piece even more valuable. The aluminum billets that are used in the extrusion process are typically made from recycled materials themselves and can continue to be recycled over and over again without losing any of their inherent qualities. The good news is that aluminum is one of the most plentiful metals on the planet and the most recycled, making it a very affordable choice for manufacturing.

Aluminum Extrusion for Consumer Products

Everyday products are also made with aluminum industry solutions. While it might seem that it is all high-tech, with many industries getting involved in aluminum extrusion production, there are many items that you use every day that are also made with this popular process. Aluminum extrusion for consumer products is just as valuable to the future of our nation and economy as extrusion solutions for the automotive industry, marine, aerospace, military, and construction applications. When you begin to look around, you will see that aluminum extrusions are used to create durable yet lightweight patio furniture and indoor furniture options. They are also used in the design of sports equipment, speedboats, and other recreational gear. The possibilities for using aluminum industry solutions in the development and manufacture of consumer goods is endless, providing low-cost and flexible opportunities for businesses that want to create quality products while reducing their carbon footprint.

Clients who come to Silver City Aluminum for assistance in developing products can count on the many years of training, hands-on expertise, and knowledge of aluminum extrusion that our team of engineers and technicians have designed. All of the components that we use in our extrusion system are top of the line, fully integrated, and automated for optimal quality control. Through the advancement of PLC control technology, our engineers can communicate with all of our integrated machines via the Internet from any location on the planet. We can monitor the machinery’s operation, determine the rate of speed, the recipe for extrusion, and check on other variables to deliver consistent and dependable quality control every step of the way. Contact our team directly to get a FREE estimate for our services or to begin working on a custom design for your aluminum industry solutions at 508-824-8631.