The process of aluminium fabrication is an intricate one to observe.
Taking the raw material, aluminium, and making it into something useful, such as windows and door frames, is incredible.
The aluminium structures and frames, provide durability, they’re robust, and they have a long life span, making aluminium fabrication very popular.
Of course, working with aluminium is only the start of the fabrication process. Before it reaches the end customer and is ready for use, several finishes can, and will, be applied to the end product.
Crucial Engineering are aluminium fabrication specialists, based in Leeds, providing aluminium windows and doors, gates and entranceways and more!
In this post, we want to take you through the aluminium fabrication process as well as the finishing process that the metal goes through before being presented to you like the finished product.
Aluminium Fabrication – The Process
Aluminium fabrication can often be referred to as precision engineering at its best. Requiring skill and expertise as well as a range of specialist tools, equipment, and technology, aluminium fabrication is about joining all of the parts of the process together.
For example, in the extrusion stage (design stage), optimised extrusions help to minimise further fabrication, which provides results that at the end of the process relate to more efficient fitting and assembly.
Even if the properties and functions of the extrusion have been optimised, there will still be a level of fabrication required.
Benefits of using aluminium for fabrication
- Durable and robust
- Lightweight, making it easy to install and carry
- Corrosion–resistant and resistant to any other form of abrasion
- It is unaffected by magnetism
- Great conductor of electricity and heat
- Flexible and versatile to be manufactured into any shape and size
Finishing – The Process
The finishing process is all about treating the surface of the aluminium ready for the final product to be dispatched. Depending on how and what it is treated with will depend on the different qualities the metal can provide you.
It’s at this stage where you can also achieve different finishes to change the overall look and appeal of your final product.
The most common aluminium finishing processes include:
- Anodising – an electrochemical process which is primarily used in military machinery and equipment, to protect the aluminium parts. This process involves artificially increasing the thickness of the naturally occurring oxide layer on the aluminium’s surface.
- Powder Coating – is the most popular choice, as it provides a protective layer which protects against corrosion as well as increases the level of insulation on offer. Very durable and comes in a variety of different colours. Powder coating is also more resistant to chipping, fading, scratching, and wear and tear.
- Wet Coating – the most cost-effective of all finishes and a method that involves coating the material while in coil form. This process is used for decorative as well as corrosion-resistant surface finishes and has a life expectancy exceeding 20 years.
Where can you find aluminium fabrication?
Due to the benefits that aluminium can offer, you will now find aluminium fabrication and finishes across a range of sectors and applications.
For example, aluminium windows and doors are now increasing in popularity throughout the UK. Appliances, and furniture within your home, such as computer hardware, for example, is made from aluminium fabrication. Retailers use aluminium fabrication for their exhibition displays and stands. The food and drinks industry use the processes for their food preparation equipment. It can also be used to manufacture parts for cars and aircraft, industrial piping, roofing, sporting goods, and much much more.
However, for all of these things and final products to be good and to a high standard, you need a professional aluminium fabrication company.
A team who know what they’re doing and has many years’ experience in handling all specifications and types.
Working to an exceptionally high standard and taking on the precision engineering technology that’s involved in the process to produce excellent results time and time again.
You need the team at Crucial Engineering, Leeds.
Aluminium fabrication specialists, if you need help with your fabrication project, make sure to call us today on 03451 930 420.
We’re always happy to help.