ALUMINIUM PROFILE
An aluminum profile refers to a specific type of extruded aluminum shape that has been designed for use in various applications. It is made by the process of extrusion, where a block of aluminum is pushed through a die of the desired shape, resulting in a long, continuous piece of aluminum with a specific cross-section.
Aluminum profiles come in various shapes and sizes, including square, rectangular, round, and custom shapes. They are lightweight, strong, and durable, making them an ideal material for use in various industries, such as construction, automotive, electronics, and aerospace.
Aluminum profiles have a wide range of applications, including framing for windows, doors, and curtain walls, structural framing for buildings, enclosures for electrical components, heat sinks for electronics, and many more. They can also be finished with various surface treatments, such as anodizing or powder coating, to improve their appearance, durability, and corrosion resistance.
ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION PROCESS
STEP 1
Design and Die Creation
The first step is to create a design for the aluminum profile, which includes determining the desired shape, dimensions, and other specifications. A die is then created based on the design, which is a custom-shaped opening through which the aluminum will be forced during the extrusion process.
STEP 2
Billet Heating
The next step is to heat the aluminum billet in a furnace to the desired temperature for extrusion. The temperature is typically based on the alloy used and the size and shape of the billet.
Once the billet is heated, it is loaded into the extrusion press and pushed through the die at high pressure. This forces the heated aluminum to take on the shape of the die, resulting in a continuous length of aluminum profile.
STEP 3
Extrusion
STEP 4
Cooling and Cutting
The newly formed aluminum profile is then cooled using air or water quenching and cut to the desired length using a saw or other cutting tool.
STEP 5
Finishing
The aluminum profile may then undergo additional finishing processes, such as sanding or polishing to improve its surface finish. It may also be treated with anodizing, painting, or other coatings to improve its corrosion resistance and appearance.
STEP 6
Inspection
Finally, the aluminum profiles are inspected to ensure they meet the desired quality standards. This may involve visual inspection, dimensional checks, and other quality control measures.
STEP 7
Shear the Extrusions to Table Length
As soon as the extrusion reaches the full table length, shear it using a hot saw. Temperature is essential at each step of the extrusion process. Despite quenching the extrusion after leaving the press, it is not fully cool yet.
STEP 8
Cool Extrusions to Room Temperature
When the shearing process is done, the extrusions are transferred to a cooling plain from the runout table. The profiles stay there till they attain room temperature. Once they get to room temperature, stretching takes place.
STEP 9
Move Extrusions to the Stretcher and Stretch Them into Alignment
You will notice some twists in the shapes at this stage, and you need to correct this. To make this correction, you need a stretcher. Hold each profile mechanically on both ends and pull them until they are fully straight. This process brings them into specification.
STEP 10
Move Extrusions to the Finish Saw and Cut Them to Length
Now that the extrusions are straight and work-hardened, you can transfer them to a saw table. At this point, you can cut them into specific lengths, majorly between 8-21 ft. After the sawing process is over, you can move them to an oven for aging to the correct temper (T5 or T6).
STEP 11
Carry Out Secondary Operations (Heat treatment, Fabrication, and Surface Finishing)
After the extrusion process is complete, you can treat profiles with heat to boost their properties. The next thing after the heat treatment is to fabricate them if there is a need to correct their dimensions. Adding a surface finish would also help improve their appearance and corrosion resistance properties.
