Near Net Shape Manufacturing & Custom Aluminum Extrusions

Posted on October 9, 2018 by admin

What is Near Net Shape Manufacturing?

Near Net Shape (NNS) refers to the manufacturing technique by which the initial production of an item results in an end product very close to the shape of the final product. The aim of near net shapes is to eliminate or drastically reduce the number of steps required in the manufacture of a part. Near Net Shape Manufacturing can also be seen as a component of Lean Manufacturing, where the design and material choices are driven by the desire to decrease waste.

What are the benefits of Near Net Shape Manufacturing?

Reduction and even elimination of machine time
Increased productivity
Less upfront material costs due to decreased weight of raw material
Generation of less scrap
Decreased tooling use, which results in longer tool life
Increased profits
Maintaining competitive advantage in the wake of never-ending production improvement techniques, such as 3D printing

Click to view examples of Near Net Shapes.

How does Howard Precision Metals service Near Net Shape Manufacturing and Lean Manufacturing driven customers?

Here at Howard Precision Metals, we understand the need to stay competitive in the ever changing world of manufacturing. We pride ourselves in offering creative, cost-saving strategies to our customers, such as Near Net Shapes. Our aluminum plate and extrusion saws can hold tolerances as tight as ±.005”, which helps eliminate material weight and decrease required machine time. We also offer custom extruded aluminum shapes, which is likely our greatest value to Near Net Shape Manufacturing customers. With our mill partnerships, we have the ability to offer custom aluminum extrusions that range from simple variations of stock shapes (as shown in the below graphic) to intricate hollow shapes with complex geometry and very tight tolerances. As a bonus, we are able to saw cut these custom aluminum extrusions on our precision saws.

Custom Aluminum Extrusions|Howard Precision Metals — Are you looking for cost savings? Near Net Shapes are a great way to save time and money. Howard Precision Metals has the knowledge and experience to help you get the most from your aluminum buying experience. Contact one of our professionals today. Call us at 800-444-0311.

If you are interested in discussing custom extrusions, aluminum sawing capabilities, or Near Net Shape Manufacturing solutions, request a quote or contact Howard Precision Metals today at 800-444-0311.

An Aluminum Supply Company Provides Aluminum Processing and Finishing Services

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Agency Jet

Anyone in the metals industry knows that aluminum is a versatile, readily available, easy to machine, and attractively priced material. A trusted aluminum supply company, Howard Precision Metals, is in the business of helping companies in various industries obtain the aluminum products and services in order to fulfill their project requirements. At Howard Precision Metals, a 100% aluminum supply company, there is no shortage of availability of these aluminum sheet, bar, and plate items in their on-hand inventory.

Heat Treat and Non-Heat Aluminum Grades

Aluminum is available in many alloys, shapes, and products, including heat treated and non-heat treated, as listed in the below chart.

Heat treated aluminum alloys include:

2014
2024
2124
2219
6013
6016
6022
6061
6111
7050
7075
7175
7475

Non-heat treated aluminum alloys include:

1100
1350
3003
5052
5083
5086
5454

Exclusively Aluminum

There is no shortage of metals distributors who happen to also stock aluminum. But wouldn’t you rather work with an expert supplier? If you want the best aluminum product, why not work with a supplier who only supplies aluminum, like the professionals at Howard Precision Metals.

Exclusively aluminum supply companies have the knowledge and experience to provide you with the best aluminum options. A 100% aluminum distributor can give you accurate, thorough, and reliable product information such as Aluminum Association tolerances, alloy and temper designations, and product line variables. An aluminum only supply company can give you adept advice, necessary to ensure you purchase the optimal aluminum product for your job. Experts at these aluminum only supply companies, like Howard Precision Metals, will also be able to compare differences and similarities in aluminum bar, aluminum cast tool and jig plate, aluminum mold plate, or wrought aluminum plate.

Aluminum Supplier Services

Howard Precision Metals, a premier aluminum supply company, stocks a vast aluminum inventory including, but not limited to, aluminum cast tool and jig plate, 6061 aluminum plate and sheet, aluminum mold plate, and extruded 6061 squares, rounds and rectangles. With such an extensive on-hand inventory, the team at Howard is able to quickly fill orders of all sizes. In addition to their expansive in-stock aluminum, HPM is also home to the largest collection of high speed, precision aluminum saws under one roof in the mid-West. These custom-built, proprietary saws, designed by Bob Howard himself, provide industry leading surface finishes and cutting tolerances as close as ±.005 with a square-ness guarantee. When you need aluminum, trust the experts at Howard Precision Metals.

Processing and Finishing Aluminum

If precision sawing of aluminum plate or aluminum bar is not the only process you require for your job, the team at Howard Precision Metals can still deliver what you need. Using a network of trusted, high-quality outside processing partners who offer such services as water jet cutting, anodizing, grinding, chamfering, deburring, and laser cutting, Howard Precision Metals is no ordinary aluminum supply company. This tight-knit network of aluminum processing partners is held to HPM’s stringent quality standards, which results in a seamless transaction and delivery of precision parts and on-time delivery to all customers.

For any aluminum requirement, call on the expert aluminum supply company, Howard Precision Metals. To get started with the process of getting the aluminum you need for your projects, call us today at (800) 444-0311 or request a quote on our site.

Aluminum Precision Sawing Expertise for Various Project Requirements

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Agency Jet

When accuracy is your top priority, Howard Precision Metals is the aluminum supply company to turn to for all of your aluminum precision sawing requirements. We are a 100 percent aluminum supplier, having made significant investments over many decades in our knowledge of aluminum, its design, maintenance, and fabrication processes. We are committed to delivering the tightest tolerances in precision sawing services to you, our client, along with the actual aluminum products that meet the standards of quality you need for your individual projects.

Sawing Any Size or Shape

We deliver high quality aluminum product in a wide array of sizes and shapes. As, an aluminum supplier with extensive experience and expertise in the aluminum industry, we cut to order with absolute precision. We are your premier source for high quality aluminum precision sawing and are home to custom designed, custom built, saws created by Bob Howard.

Custom Aluminum Sawing Expertise

Although many aluminum providers abound in the industry, not all match the level of knowledge, expertise, and skills provided by Howard Precision Metals. Successive generations of teams in our company since 1928 have focused on raising the bar and setting higher aluminum industry standards. We have extensive knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of different aluminum alloys as well as the most effective manufacturing processes for each alloy. Our combined knowledge and experience enables us to provide our customers with the highest quality end product.

We have designed and continue to maintain and use our proprietary, custom-built precision aluminum saws. The combination of our expertise and unique equipment allows us to produce tight cutting tolerances at the level of ±005 inches.

Industries We Have Impacted

The result of our work is evident in multiple industries, including hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, machinery, paper and packing production, and aerospace. Some of the saw finishes we produce on extruded aluminum shapes rise above the quality of machine finishes.

You can expect nothing but premium aluminum precision sawing results through the expertise and capabilities provided by our team at Howard Precision Metals.

To begin the process of obtaining the aluminum shapes or plate you need to fulfill your project requirements, call our team today at 800.444.0311 or request a quote on our website.

Month: October 2018