Saving on costs while maintaining freedom of design presents a challenge for every manufacturer using machined extruded parts. Every industry that utilizes the extrusion process as an integral part of their design can benefit from the expertise Alexandria Extrusion Company has developed. Fastening extrusions together without unnecessary machining or fabricating will reduce costs to customers and allow them increased flexibility in the design process. There are several ways to fasten extrusions together without machining. This can be accomplished by designing an attachment method into the profile of the extrusion. For example, instead of machining a bevel for welding or a recess for sheet metal, this feature can be extruded into the profile. Using near net-shape aluminum extrusions as the raw material of the part is a cost effective and preferred method. This minimizes the amount of metal that must be removed and reduces the cycle time and expense for machining manufactured parts. This method fully utilizes the benefits of the aluminum extrusion process. Another method uses screw bosses in extrusions. This feature accepts self-tapping screws, eliminating drilling and tapping operations done on either end of the extrusion for fastening. Other features like screw chases, T-slots or dovetails can be alternative attachments that eliminate machining of holes for pem studs, tapping or clearance holes. If a part requires a clearance hole for a bolt, extruding a T-slot allows the head of the bolt to slide without rotation. If a hole is required, a drill index groove in the extrusion will eliminate the need for center drilling. A fully functional 90-degree plus hinge can be designed into the extruded part with no machining necessary. Alexandria Extrusion Company’s technologically advanced machining facility will begin with an aluminum extrusion profile very close to that of the customer’s finished component. With profile dimensions of aluminum extrusions typically accurate within thousandths, AEC can hold close tolerances to minimize machining requirements and additional operations on the periphery of any extruded part. |