Aluminum extrusion services can incorporate various types of options to ensure the right extruded product for your project. The aluminum extrusion process involves utilizing cutting-edge technology and equipment to create a product that aligns with your specifications.
Premium aluminum extrusion profiles do not purely depend on high-quality materials. Advanced technology and equipment is also a necessity to achieve the desired results.
What extrusion technology or industrial equipment do you use?
Not all businesses will use advanced machines and technology during aluminum extrusion.
This is why we highly advise that you assess the equipment and technology the company uses before you decide about the aluminum extrusion company you will go for. Low-quality equipment will not produce the product you desire, irrespective of how good the material is.
What are other people saying about the company you are considering?
It is also essential to take the time to read reviews left by people who have used the extrusion services the company provides.
The good news is that this is easier than ever, thanks to the Internet. You can easily search on independent review platforms and read heaps of feedback.
You will discover whether or not the company is reliable, if their products live up to the hype, whether or not they are easy to contact, and so on.
It can also be helpful to contact the company themselves to ask them for some references and case studies so you can learn a little bit more about the clients they work with and the services they have provided in the past.
Are you happy to provide samples?
If you want to place a bulk order for custom aluminum extrusions with a company, you may want them to provide you with samples beforehand.
Some aluminum extrusions companies will be happy to provide you with samples if required. Many customers like to have samples to ensure the dimensions are perfect before you proceed with a bulk extrusion run. This is typically the case when we work with new dies.
For customers who have already got dies and have moved their production to a new supplier, producing samples is not typically needed, as the dimensions and die design have already proven effective.
Will samples delay the bulk extrusion run?
If you decide that you would like to get a sample from the company in question, find out what sort of impact this will have on the timeline.
Most companies will hold off the bulk extrusion run until you have received the sample and signed off on it. After all, starting the bulk order would be too risky until you have examined the sample.
Because of this, it is reasonable to expect the extrusion run to be pushed back by between one to two weeks, depending on how quickly you approve the samples and give the company in question the go-ahead.
Which aluminum extrusion alloys do you tend to use?
You should also ask the company what aluminum extrusion alloys they use. Most companies will make their decision based on the nature of your project.
You will find that the 6000 series aluminum extrusion alloys tend to be very popular, as they are ideal for commercial use and widely available.
Some other popular grades include 6082, 6005a, 6005, 6063a, and 6063. Nevertheless, it does depend on the company in question and your requirements.
The best thing to do is get in touch with the company you are considering and discuss this with them so that they can tell you what aluminum extrusion alloys they recommend and why this is the case.
Can you advise me on the best extruded aluminum alloy for my project?
The best custom aluminum extrusion manufacturers will have a technical team of engineers who will be experts in all things prototype aluminum extrusions.
Should you have any queries about which aluminum extrusion alloys will suit your project, you want to be safe knowing there is an experienced team to help.
After all, your choice of aluminum extrusion alloys will depend on a whole host of factors, from the surface treatments needed to the design and product application, i.e., how the product will be used and when / where it will be delivered. Read the next post of our aluminum extrusion guide (part 3).
