Almost every conversation we have with our customers includes seeking ways to remove cost from the manufacturing equation. Cost reduction is a never-ending goal at Alexandria Industries. It is not something we only focus on when a customer requests it. To work successfully together and help you save money, cost reduction initiatives need to be a two-way street between you and...

At this time of year, your suppliers will usually ask for your business forecast for the upcoming year. Are you prepared to provide this information, or do you wonder why they need anything besides your purchase order? While the supplier will understand your needs at that time, it is important not to underestimate the value in helping them prepare to fill your orders before your...

Designers and engineers want the freedom to design innovative features that allow for manufacturability. They want to be worry-free when it comes to standard tolerances, industry standards, high tooling costs and long lead times. Some of our customers felt hindered by their other suppliers' unwillingness, or inability, to offer them the freedom to design. When they discovered that...

Strength vs. weight vs. cost is an important comparison, as all play a key role in aluminum extrusion. As you look at an aluminum extruded part from a cost standpoint, the alloy 6063 extruded in a solid shape is going to be the most cost-effective way to approach an aluminum extruded part. On the other hand, a variation of aluminum alloys 6063 or 6060 (with somewhat lower...

Engineering for Success with Aluminum Extrusions: Five Tips to Use Dimensioning and Tolerance in the Design Stage as a Competitive Advantage In today’s fast-paced manufacturing industry, it can be difficult to set aside time to define tolerances for a new aluminum extruded component design. Pressed for time, OEM design engineers often default to title block tolerances. This might...

Design options for extrusions are something many don't consider. Looking for new ideas? Looking for more freedom in your designs? Looking to reduce costs? Our Alex-Cube die drawing illustrates ideas that provide solutions for many of these questions. Consider the versatility of the aluminum extrusion process for your next new design or redesign project. Our other white papers...

The purpose of this white paper is to show some of the advantages of using the aluminum extrusion process as illustrated by the Alex-Cube business card holder. Our papers address innovative ways to use aluminum extrusions while giving you the versatility necessary for your new project designs. The aluminum extrusion process provides design techniques and features that are many and...

This paper continues our series in showing some of the advantages of using the aluminum extrusion process as illustrated by the Alex-Cube business card holder. This paper will outline some of the benefits and costs of using various mechanical finishes for your new project designs. For many applications where profiles are used in a mill-finish state, aluminum extrusions will not need...

Due to a large demand within your marketplace for technical information in regard to chemical finishing processes for aluminum extrusions, Alexandria Industries would like to take this opportunity to provide you with up to date information on the effects that chemical finishing can have on your products. The most commonly used types of chemical finishing are: paint, chromate,...

There are two principle reasons to coat aluminum extrusions. The first one is to control the appearance for purposes of color coordination, uniformity, or visual appeal. Secondly, to protect the substrate from environmental damage due to acid rain, sulfur pollution, salt corrosion, or excess oxidation. The type of finish selected for aluminum extrusions depends upon the use of the...