Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
(OP)
All,
I don't have any sort of specific application, more just a curiosity. I have seen aluminum extruded profiles that have either a series of small radius grooves or radius ribs. Often they are symmetrical, but I have seen cases where they appear somewhat random in the design. Anyone that designs extruded profiles willing to shed some light on the whys and where-fors? In some cases I could see asthetic reasons. Are they also used to affect the dynamics of the extrusion process (material flow) and/or the surface properties post extrusion? Seems like a lot of extra effort to put those grooves/ribs in the extrusion die, so they must be there for a reason.
Inquiring minds would like to know...
Thanks,
Aaron
I don't have any sort of specific application, more just a curiosity. I have seen aluminum extruded profiles that have either a series of small radius grooves or radius ribs. Often they are symmetrical, but I have seen cases where they appear somewhat random in the design. Anyone that designs extruded profiles willing to shed some light on the whys and where-fors? In some cases I could see asthetic reasons. Are they also used to affect the dynamics of the extrusion process (material flow) and/or the surface properties post extrusion? Seems like a lot of extra effort to put those grooves/ribs in the extrusion die, so they must be there for a reason.
Inquiring minds would like to know...
Thanks,
Aaron





RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
Would it not depend on the design requirements?
Some extrusions are designed as electronics enclosures. The grooves are inside, and slightly wider than the thickness of a printed circuit board.
Some grooves are cooling fins.
Some extrusions are part of something that someone must grab and manipulate. Grooves can make the extrusion easier to hang onto.
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
Aaron
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
Much less sharp. A perfect square edge can be quite sharp - esp if used on fabric canopies/awnings, etc.
The radius may act as a bit of stress relief - preventing cracks at the edges.
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
Regards
Pat
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RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
Harold
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RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
Regards,
Mike
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
I believe, you can now get 8020 imperial and metric with or w/o the small grooves.
I still haven't found a good example. Years ago I worked on a project for 4 season room aluminum extrusions. Those tend to be fairly thin walled. I can remember, though, that they had the very small ribs in seemingly random places. The overall shape would be symmetrical, but the rib locations were not. Seems like they would be, but there must be more to it. I used to have some of those profile drawings kicking around, but I may have deep sixed them. I'll have to do some digging.
Aaron
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?
That is not to say that all manufacturers use the same method for distinguishing the product or that 80/20 might have added smooth fractional parts. I grabbed the image from an older 80/20 catalog. If you search for "8020 garage sale" you will find the ebay store which has a ton of profile images.
Harold
SW2009 SP4.0 OPW2009 SP2 Win XP Pro 2002 SP3
Dell 690, Xeon 5160 @3.00GHz, 3.25GB RAM
nVidia Quadro FX4600
www.lumenflow.com
RE: Why do aluminum extrusions sometimes have small radius grooves?