If you ever stop to admire the structure of a building, the design of a car, or even just examine the pipes in your house, you can bet on one thing. There was welding involved. Welding is a fairly simple concept: joining two metal objects to become one strong, final piece. Welding aluminum, however, is an often tricky and frustrating process. So why learn? Well, aluminum has many advantages, including its light weight, ductility, corrosion resistance, and more. And at the end of the day, practice makes perfect. Anyone can weld aluminum if they’re dedicated. Take a look at these five tips to help you through the beginning of the aluminum welding process. Continue reading “5 Simple Tips for Welding Aluminum”
The Aluminum Extruding Process
Aluminum extrusion is the process of transforming aluminum alloy(s) into a specific cross-sectional profile. Remember using the play-doh® shape maker? Just a squeeze on the handle and the doh would come out whatever shape the plastic faceplate was. Aluminum extrusion is made in a similar fashion but with the added element of high heat and high [hydraulic] pressure. Aluminum has many unique physical characteristics, which makes the extrusion process very practicable. Its malleability allows it to be easily machined or cast, while aluminum’s structural rigidity offers strength and stability. For these reasons, aluminum is used for a wide range of purposes!
How to Assemble an Aluminum Work Table
When receiving a kit-form solution from Framing Tech, you will get a complete ready to assemble solution. The aluminum extrusion will be machined and labeled. The parts will be packaged individually with their proper hardware. A bill of material list will be provided along with a drawing of how to put the solution together. For an example, we will use a standard Framing Tech “Work Table.” When you first receive the kit, please open the bill of material and check to see that all components are accounted for. Continue reading “How to Assemble an Aluminum Work Table”
Properties and Uses of Aluminum
From aircraft parts to aluminum foil—aluminum has a varied of uses. Aluminum is both lightweight and durable. It’s also the third most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. Are you intrigued yet?
Today, aluminum is the second most used metal after steel. To give you a better idea, more aluminum is produced each year than all other non-ferrous metals combined. Aluminum is most commonly used in aerospace, transportation and structural materials. Continue reading “Properties and Uses of Aluminum”
T-Slot Assembly Tips and Tricks
T-slotted aluminum profiles are modular by nature. There are many types of systems available that all utilize a basic t-slot geometry to allow near infinite mounting positions of components, etc. We are always concerned not only by the engineering characteristics of a structural frame project but also by the aesthetic value it brings to our clients project. Many times, the profiles surround & define the equipment inside, so we are always looking for the cleanest presentation possible. This is why we feel the internal connection vs. the external clad-plate (boiler plate = last century) mentality is superior. The plate method also does not insure that the two joining profiles are pulled together & a gap is possible leaving the resultant assembly out-of-square. High Aesthetic: (quick-connectors face inside of assembly) Old-School: clad-plate
Benefits of Using Aluminum vs. Steel
Aluminum and steel are both versatile metals that have many uses in a variety of different industries. Both metals come with their advantages and disadvantages. And many advancements have been made over the years in the production of steel and aluminum. Both metals can be melted, casted and machined into different shapes. Both can produce electricity and are recyclable. So, which metal is better?
Well, that would depend on what you’re using it for. Continue reading “Benefits of Using Aluminum vs. Steel”