Aluminum extrusions are commonly used in a variety of applications, such as windows, doors, railings, frames, and more. Using standard aluminum extrusion profiles offers several benefits compared to Customised Aluminium Profiles. Here are some of the key advantages of utilizing standard aluminum extrusions:
1. Cost Savings
Standard aluminum profiles are mass-produced on a large scale, making them far more affordable than custom extrusions. The dies and tooling required for custom profiles are very expensive, so standard extrusions are a budget-friendly option. This makes them ideal for projects where cost is a significant factor. Standard profiles benefit from economies of scale in production, keeping material costs and manufacturing overhead lower per unit compared to custom extrusions, which have higher setup costs and smaller batch sizes.
2. Quick lead times
Standard aluminum extrusion profiles are readily available either from stock or with short production lead times. This allows projects to be completed faster compared to the long lead times often associated with custom extrusion orders. Fast turnaround times are essential for many construction and manufacturing projects. The readily available supply and minimal production time for standard profiles enable rapid delivery and integration into projects versus potential long-lead items with custom extrusions.
3. Consistent Quality
Standard aluminum extrusions are produced under tight quality controls and meet established industry standards. This results in very consistent dimensional tolerances and material properties. Custom extrusion quality can vary more between different vendors and batches. The reliability of standard profiles is advantageous for assembly and performance. Standardization ensures repeatable extrusion accuracy and performance batch-to-batch which is critical for proper fit and assembly without rework or delays.
4. Wide Availability
Popular standard aluminum extrusion profiles are widely stocked by major suppliers across the globe. This allows for convenient sourcing and reduces logistical challenges. Custom profiles may only be available directly from the extruder, increasing hassle and costs. The broad availability of standard extrusions simplifies procurement. Global sourcing flexibility for standard profiles minimizes lead times and provides supply chain redundancy if shortages occur at one supplier.
5. Simplified Design
Standard aluminum profiles enable designers to select from preset shapes and sizes to meet an application’s needs. This simplifies the design process compared to designing fully custom profiles from scratch. The established standard shapes have proven performance for common uses like framing, rails, supports, and more. Standard profile design catalogs streamline the selection process by offering pre-engineered options to meet structural, functional, and aesthetic requirements.
6. Code Compliance
Standard aluminum extrusions are designed to meet relevant building codes and standards. This ensures designs utilizing standard profiles will comply with important regulations and pass inspections. The codes often reference standard shapes, making compliance easier. Custom profiles require more review to verify code conformance. Extensive compliance testing and confirmation for standard profiles removes the burden for engineers and simplifies approval processes compared to custom shapes.
7. Familiarity for Installers
Contractors, fabricators, and other installers are very accustomed to working with standard aluminum extrusions. This familiarity facilitates efficient installation with standard tools, techniques, and accessories. There is a broader knowledge base for successfully working with standard profiles compared to proprietary custom shapes. Standardization leads to the development of optimized handling tools, joining methods, and workflows, reducing the learning curve and mistakes.
Customized Aluminum Profiles
Standard aluminum extrusion profiles are suitable for the majority of applications, but customized aluminum extrusions are sometimes necessary for unique project needs. Here are some of the most common reasons for requiring custom aluminum extrusion profiles:
1. Unique Shapes/Sizes
If an application requires unusual profile dimensions outside the range of standard sizes, a custom shape may be needed. Custom profiles can be produced in nearly any shape imaginable to meet distinct size requirements. For applications with atypical loading or interfaces, custom extrusions can provide profiles tailored to the expected stresses and geometric constraints.
2. Optimized Structural Performance
Custom aluminum extrusions allow for cross-sectional shapes to be optimized for the specific loading conditions expected in the application. This can improve structural performance beyond what standard shapes offer. By tailoring the profile geometry, wall thickness, and internal reinforcements, structural performance can be maximized for the operating environment.
3. Consolidated Profiles
Multiple standard profiles can sometimes be combined into a single custom extrusion for efficiency and reduced assembly. This allows for part consolidation and lowers overall project component counts. Custom extrusions enable part simplification by integrating multiple components and features into a single profile, reducing joints and fasteners.
4. Proprietary Shapes
For purposes like branding, custom aluminum extrusions can provide distinctive aesthetic shapes not available as standard catalog items. Custom profiles can create a unique look and feel to differentiate products. Unique branded visuals and styling are possible with custom aluminum shapes that can provide differentiation and recognition for products and architecture.
5. Enhanced Functionality
Custom aluminum extrusions can enable enhanced functionality by integrating internal channels, edge features, and other design elements into a single profile. Features to reduce weight, improve durability, simplify drainage, and more can be built into custom shapes. By directly incorporating features into the extrusion profile, secondary steps and fabrication can be minimized, reducing cost and failure points.
6. More design freedom
Custom aluminum extrusions place almost no limit on cross-sectional design freedom. This flexibility allows for innovative shapes beyond the practical limits of standard extrusion shapes. For cutting-edge design, custom profiles are often essential. Unrestrained by pre-determined profile libraries, custom extrusions provide unlimited freedom to create novel shapes and geometry optimized for groundbreaking designs.
In summary, custom aluminum extrusion profiles offer advantages in specialized structural performance, proprietary shapes, design freedom, part consolidation, and functionality enhancements. They are an important option for applications where standard extrusion profiles do not fully meet needs. Also, the standard aluminum extrusion profiles offer many benefits, like cost savings, quality, availability, and simplified design and installation. There are good reasons why standard aluminum extrusions are extensively used for a very wide range of applications in numerous industries. Specifying standard aluminum profiles is an effective approach for many projects and end-use requirements.