Aluminum Processing

Forming (pressing, bending, drawing, etc.)

Aluminum can be bent easily for use in various applications. One forming method employs a press/die and a punch. Plates and extruded structural angles are formed through various bending methods -- pure bending, guide-bending, or wind-bending. In these methods, the material to be drawn is placed on a die and then drawn into its hole with a punch.

Joining

Joining is a key process used when manufacturing safe structures with complicated shapes. Four methods are used to join aluminum parts: welding, brazing, mechanical joining, and bonding.

                                          Major joining methods

Machining

Machining involves finishing products with tools, such as drills, turning tools or end mills. Machining centers, milling machines, lathes, and other machine tools may be used.

Cutting

Items may be cut with shears, disc saws, band saws, jigsaw, or similar machines

Surface Treatment

Typical surface treatment methods for aluminum include anodic oxide coating, painting, and coloration.

  Aluminum surface treatment