10 errors in aluminum extrusion – 1

The best aluminum presses issue their own - corporate - work instructions, where the best world experience in this field is collected. These instructions usually describe each production step in great detail.. They are meant to, so that everything can be avoided, which prevents achieving almost 100% quality and maximum productivity.

The simplest working instruction

The simplest such instruction is presented below and here ten "bad" when extruding aluminum, namely: what should not be done when extruding aluminum. This list includes common problems, which arise from the interaction of the workpiece and the die and which can be easily avoided. This quick checklist can help the aluminum extruder identify problems in his production and try to solve them..

There is an opinion, that few of the aluminum presses can honestly say, that they don't have any of these ten problems - ten "what's wrong".

Nowadays, the main goal of aluminum presses is to increase productivity. This is what is given maximum attention at all stages of the production of aluminum profiles (rods, pipes) - from casting poles to packaging. Below are the first four "bad" when extruding aluminum [1]:

the other six “badly” – from 5 by 10 look. here:

  • incorrect heating of the workpiece;
  • poor work of the press washer;
  • non-uniform container temperature;
  • workpiece end lubrication.

№1 – The press is poorly adjusted

Alignment of the press - exposing all its elements horizontally, verticals and axes - should be the first requirement in any press instruction. If the press is poorly aligned, he will not be able to produce good profiles. This also includes monitoring the operating temperature - "skew" of the temperature of the press elements, for example, container, which will not lead to anything good either.

№2 – Uneven heating of the matrix

The matrix is ​​usually designed like this, that it has the proper temperature, when the very first workpiece is pressed through it. If it doesn't, then a good profile will usually fail, until one or two blanks are "thrown away" to warm up this matrix. Super Aluminum Presses use single furnaces to heat each die.

№3 – The matrix is ​​too massive

All, which prevents the matrix from making a good product at maximum speed, is a barrier to productivity. Unfortunately, the matrix manufacturer must take into account the real state of the equipment and technology of its customer.

If he knows, that its matrix is ​​unlikely to be uniformly and correctly heated before pressing, he will make her more “thick”, stronger, to withstand high pressure when pushing metal through the matrix. With such a matrix, the maximum pressing speed cannot be achieved. A solid die is a slow die.

If the matrix maker was sure, that it will heat up properly, he would reduce the pressing force through it percent by 30-40. With such a pressure margin, the workpiece can be heated lower and pressed through it faster..

№4 – Matrix belts are highly oxidized

When the die is kept too long at its heating temperature, matrix belts are highly oxidized. The matrix cannot be kept in the oven for more than eight hours. heating matrices. And already, of course, do not load the matrix on Saturday evening or even on Friday for pressing through it on Monday! Through such a matrix, you will never get a good surface of the pressed profile..

Source: http://www.castool.com/sites/default/files/publications/top_10_worst_extrusion_practices_and_how_they_can_%20be_avoided.pdf