How to Choose the Right Industrial Aluminum Profile

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When you’re looking for the right industrial aluminum profile to meet your needs, there are several things you need to consider. Depending on your specific manufacturing process, materials, compatibility with other components and production speed, there are different profiles that are better suited for your application than others. Arguably the most important factor when choosing a profile is whether or not it will work with the machinery that you already have or will need to purchase in order to make the profile. Every manufacturer has different equipment that they use to cut and form parts. In addition, some manufacturers prefer to work with standard profiles while others specialize in custom profiles. The following details tips and facts on how to choose the right industrial aluminum profile for your specific needs.

Is the Aluminum Profile Made for Industrial Use?

Industrial aluminum profiles are specifically designed to withstand the high production speeds and pressures that come with manufacturing. Industrial profiles are made using high-quality materials that are more durable and less likely to warp during the production process than standard aluminum profiles. Depending on the application, industrial profiles often come with a guarantee. This is because industrial profiles are engineered with specific tolerances in order to ensure that they work with your machinery. Since industrial profiles are more expensive, it’s important to choose the right one as opposed to a standard profile. If you cut a standard profile at high speeds, it can warp and become unusable. On the other hand, a standard profile will normally last for the life of the machine.

The Type of Aluminum

The first thing that you should consider when choosing an industrial profile is the type of aluminum that it’s made from. Is the aluminum ferrous or non-ferrous? Aluminum is typically ferrous, which means it contains iron. Ferrous aluminum is magnetic, while non-ferrous aluminum is non-magnetic. The type of aluminum that you chose will determine what type of anodizing process you need to use. Ferrous aluminum requires an acid-based anodizing process, while non-ferrous aluminum is treated with an electrolytic process. In addition, ferrous aluminum will react with non-ferrous aluminum due to the chemical reaction that occurs between iron and aluminum. This could cause the aluminum to become brittle and crack.

Dimensional Tolerance and Shrinkage Factor

Next, you need to consider the dimensional tolerance and shrinkage factor of the profile. Dimensional tolerances are important in order to ensure the accuracy of your finished product. Dimensional tolerances can be found on the technical data sheet for each profile. A shrinkage factor is the amount of material that will be lost when the aluminum is formed. For example, let’s say that you’re using an aluminum profile that is 12 feet long and has a shrinkage factor of 20%. If you cut the aluminum to 9 feet, you will lose 2 feet of the profile. Therefore, if the part that you are building requires 12 feet of aluminum, you will need to purchase two profiles.

Material Thickness and Width

You also need to decide on the thickness of the profile and the width. Profiles are available in various thicknesses. Typically, the thicker the profile, the stronger it is. If you are building a part that needs to withstand a lot of pressure, it’s important to choose a profile that is as thick as possible. However, if you need to make a quick part, it’s better to use a thinner profile. When it comes to width, you need to consider how many parts you want to produce with each profile. A wide profile will be able to produce fewer parts than a narrower profile. It’s important to consider the flow of the production process. If you need to make a lot of parts, you will want to choose a wider profile.

Which Anchor will be Used Industrial Aluminum Profile?

Next, you need to decide which anchor you will use. There are many types of anchors that manufacturers use in their industrial processes. The most common types of anchors are thread-forming, shear, non-formable, high strength and low strength. When selecting an anchor for your industrial application, it’s important to choose one that is compatible with the chosen profile. For example, if you are using a non-formable anchor, you need a non-ferrous profile.

Does the Industrial Aluminum Profile have Through-Hole (TH) Requirements?

If the part that you are building has through-hole requirements, it’s important that the Cleanroom Aluminum Profile that you choose has a similar through-hole requirement. For example, if the part has a through-hole diameter of 1/2”, it’s important that the profile has a through-hole diameter of 1/2”. If the through-hole on the profile is larger than the part’s requirements, the part may not fit correctly. On the other hand, if the through-hole on the profile is smaller than the part’s requirements, it could cause the part to be too snug and could be difficult to remove from the profile.

Will you need a Weldable or Non-Weldable Anchor?

Finally, you need to decide if you want to use a weldable or non-weldable anchor. Weldable anchors are designed to be welded to the part. This is beneficial because it allows you to make changes to the part if necessary. On the other hand, non-weldable anchors are designed to be pressed or screwed into the part. If you need to make changes, you need to drill them out and replace them. When you’re choosing an industrial aluminum profile, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Depending on your application, there are different profiles that are better suited for your needs than others. It’s important to consider the dimensional tolerance, shrinkage factor and various other factors before making your decision.