Webinars
Aluminum extrusions offer an outstanding level of design flexibility, the ability to tailor component properties, cost-saving functionality and environmental benefits.

Yet extrusions' almost limitless design possibilities present unique challenges to the designer and engineer:
- How should extrusions be designed for minimal system cost and optimal manufacturing?
- What are the do's and don'ts in profile design?
- How can shapes be optimized to meet structural requirements?
- How can extrusion design impact the economics of extruded components vs. alternative materials?
The Aluminum Extruders Council offers webinars aimed at educating engineers and designers on the advantages of and practical considerations for designing with aluminum extrusions.
New!

AEC has added a series of webinars aimed at designers, engineers and others who wish to delve deeper into the ins and outs of aluminum extrusion. The new series, AEC Aluminum Extrusion Tech, is intended to inform and educate those with some knowledge of aluminum extrusions but who are interested in a more technical focus. Watch for this logo identifying these advanced-level webinars.
Upcoming Webinars:
Check back soon for webinars scheduled for 2018.
AEC On-demand Webinars
- November 2017: Value Engineering & Aluminum Extrusions: Preserving Your Intent
Speakers: Tom Hutch, Aeorlite Extrusion & Keith Rayburn, Jordan Aluminum Extrusions | Hosted by: Construction Specification Institute (CSI) | Presenting Sponsor: Hydro Aluminum
This webinar explores how the architect or specifier can best manage the value engineering process to ensure that critical performance of extruded aluminum elements is retained.
- November 2017: Tips for a Successful Design Competition Entry
Speakers: David Asher, Bonnell Aluminum & Craig Werner, Kaiser Aluminum | Hosted by AEC
Designed to provide interested participants more information about the Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition, this webinar also discusses the “ins and outs” of designing with aluminum extrusions to maximize the opportunity to create an innovative, practical and potential “winning” design.
- November 2017: Fair Trade Webinar - Curtain Wall Case Update
Speaker: David Spooner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Presented by the Curtain Wall Coalition in cooperation with the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), get the latest information on the aluminum curtain wall scope case related to Chinese aluminum extrusion imports.
- October 2017: Automotive Aluminum: Specifying & Achieving Desired Extrusion Performance
Speaker: Mark Butterfield, Magnode Corp.| Hosted by: SAE International | Presenting Sponsor: Hydro Extrusion North America
As automotive aluminum extrusion applications continue to grow, engineers seeking optimized performance are increasingly going beyond the “shorthand” of alloy and temper designation and specifying the desired microstructure for the final component. This webinar explores: how various automotive applications require differing underlying microstructure for optimal performance; how alloy chemistry and extrusion processing parameters can be manipulated to yield distinctive microstructure, and how to effectively specify microstructure, and the critical variables to consider. Mini cases illustrate successful application of microstructure specification.
- October 2017: 6 Design Best Practices for Aluminum Extrusion Design to Avoid Delays, Disappointment, and Added Cost
Speaker: Eric Becker, Vitex Extrusion, LLC | Hosted by: Design News | Presenting Sponsor: Vitex Extrusion, LLC
This webinar provides a brief review of the aluminum extrusion process and how process variables can impact part performance and then address six common issues aluminum extruders face when receiving a new profile design. Best practices to save the designer time, disappointment and, ultimately, cost will be covered, including tips for improving aluminum extrusion designs and drawings.

This webinar covers the requirements it takes to achieve optimum properties for structural extrusions. Higher strength 6xxx alloys, such as 6005, 6061 and 6082 will be covered; however, the content will be broadly applicable for most 6000-series alloys. Technical issues for assuring properties and maintaining profile geometry for structural applications will be discussed.