APPLIANCES AND RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

American homes and businesses are preparing to undergo the same transition as American automobiles did during the early 1990's. Aluminum is now being developed and selected as the material of choice for commercial and residential air-conditioning systems. Aluminum micro channel or (Micro-Flow) tubing is providing this emerging market with the attributes necessary to achieve internal and external performance objectives.

Aluminum once again provides greater internal manufacturing efficiencies to OEM's. Due to aluminum's corrosion resistance, high strength, light weight, thermal conductivity and the ability to extrude complex shapes, residential and commercial air-conditioning manufacturers are prepared to achieve new DOE mandated SEER/EER levels of 13/13.

The all aluminum brazed condenser used in the new generation of air-conditioning systems allow for dramatic improvements by manufacturers, increasing throughput and decreasing the need for expensive complex components and systems. Over time the use of aluminum in support of this technology will increase to include brackets, connectors, support channels and other component parts where weight, cost, performance and strength are desirable characteristics.

An all aluminum brazed condenser shown here, has been manufactured as a flat slab, and then bent to conform to OEM cabinet specifications. This has been achieved without decreasing unit burst pressure requirements.

An all aluminum brazed condenser based air-conditioning system provides beauty, comfort, decreased manufacturing costs, durability, and decreased operational costs for the consumer. This technology will allow decreased use of ozone depleting gases by manufacturers, adversely effecting our environment. And finally, through increased SEER/EER DOE requirements, decrease the use and need for additional power stations in the future. One more solution to the current and future energy concerns.

PLEASURE BOATS

Boats ranging from 8-foot johnboats to the largest of yachts are using aluminum extrusions for structural and trim applications. The versatile nature of both aluminum and the extrusion process makes this the perfect match between material, manufacturing process and product requirements. The aluminum brings the corrosion resistance and lightweight strength important to boat building; the extrusion process provides the variety of shapes needed to meet all manufacturing demands. With the addition of finishes such as paint or anodize, product uses and applications are unlimited. The most common uses include trim for doors, windows, windshields, hatch covers, supports for canvas canopies, gunnel, rub rails, spray rails, keel, structural I-Beams, along with various other applications.

Tuna Tower
Aluminum extrusions have long-standing acceptance as a structural and decorative material in the boat building industry. Illustrated here are numerous profiles used in the construction of tuna towers and other trim materials on sport fishing boats. These shapes have been polished and bright dip anodized to achieve the required high quality surface finish, but also require machinability, formability, weldability and structural integrity...a combination of characteristics that aluminum is uniquely qualified to offer designers and builders of sport fishing boats.

MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

Forklift Control Modules

Normally operated by factory workers, control modules for forklifts need to be extremely strong and able to withstand much abuse.

The primary reason for using aluminum is that it is lightweight and structurally stronger than plastic or other materials. Also, up-front tooling costs can be significantly lower - tooling to do die castings or injection moldings can be more cost prohibitive. Due to the precision nature of the parts, machining is necessary and not only is aluminum a good machinable material, but extrusions offer an excellent near net shape versus the alternative of hogging out a block of aluminum, making it much more cost competitive. In the assembly there are a number of roll pins that are pressed into holes and springs that can wear on the part surfaces and aluminum, with the finishes available, has proven to be a good, compatible material.

This linear motion componentry, used in industrial applications, is made entirely of extruded aluminum.

Developing Systems That Move Industry

In the business of factory automation the use of aluminum extruded profiles to enhance custom design material handling systems has grown the opportunities for market penetration. Utilizing precision, near net shapes for the track, trays and supports, the sorter solutions are developed for flexibility and ease in installation for the athletic shoe, gift, health and automobile tire industries.

FOOD DISPLAY & REFRIGERATION

Retail merchandising systems, or display cases as they are commonly know, have had to meet today's market challenges for displaying merchandise in limited space, visually enhancing the products appeal to the customer and allowing ease of removing the product from the display.

An example of this marketing technique is the self serve bakery display units used in many of today's grocery stores. The units use glass, lighting and mechanically finished, anodized aluminum extrusions to meet those market challenges. The aluminum extrusions function as a hinge for the glass.

Due to aluminum's corrosion resistance, non-toxic, lightweight and strength, as well as the extrusion process's ability to produce complex shapes, aluminum extrusions proved to be the process of choice for this application.

 Residential Refrigeration

Residential refrigerators with commercial looks and space are what many consumers desire for their kitchens. This has led to the marketing of stainless steel built-in refrigerators. But what appears to be stainless steel to the consumer may in fact not be.

This new line of refrigerators utilizes stainless steel metal panels that are framed by aluminum extrusions made to look like stainless steel. Even the top grille is aluminum extrusions.

The aluminum extrusions are brushed and anodized with a special stainless color. The use of aluminum extrusion for this application offers the designers a lightweight, strong material which is able to be made into complex shapes. It looks like stainless material, but is actually a fraction of the cost.

Examples of Sports Equipment	Examples of Machinery and Equipment Products
Snowmobiles and trailers Archery sets Baseball bats Bicycles Ski poles Fishing accessories Hockey/Lacrosse sticks Volleyball poles Exercise equipment Golf carts Swimming pool rails Camping accessories Darts	Special industrial machinery Irrigation pipe Process industry equipment Service equipment General components Industrial, Agricultural, Mining Equipment Service Equipment Ladders and Scaffolds Professional, Scientific Equipment General Machine Components
Examples of Appliance Products	Examples of Lighting Products
Refrigerators Air conditioners Washers & dryers Microwaves Ranges Vacuums Televisions	Lighting tracks Housings Task lights Florida Ceiling Lamps Fluted poles for floor and table lamps Reflectors Picture lamps
Examples of Furniture Products	Examples of Electrical
Office products Casual products Home furnishings Picture frames Venetian blinds Exhibits & displays	Heatsinks Enclosures Antennae Trim Cases Communication components Power units
Examples of Watercraft
Sail boats Yachts Canoes Houseboats Personal watercraft Motor boats Pontoon boats Row boats