When it comes to sourcing the appropriate materials for your tooling needs, you should consider the most versatile and abundant metal.
Aluminum.
History has proven that steel and aluminum are the two most often utilized metals in tool making. Before these two materials stood side by side, the consensus was that steel was the more appropriate option for industrial applications. Steel has always been synonymous for strength. However, today’s aluminum alloys have evolved into strong and durable alternatives. With aluminum’s preferred machinability, cost savings in the manufacturing process have swayed many toolmakers to seek out this awesome metal. What was once a secondary option in tool and die manufacturing, has now seated itself right next to steel as a top choice.
Benefits of Choosing Aluminum Instead of Steel
Why would you choose aluminum instead of steel in manufacturing? To answer, you must consider the technological improvements made to the production of aluminum alloys in addition to the number of specialty alloys now available. These improvements are why aluminum is a top choice for tool and die making.
First, it is well known that steel is a much harder material than aluminum. However, thanks to its workability and density aluminum is much easier to machine than steel. Therefore, aluminum increases productivity by decreasing machine time. On average, tool shops working with aluminum will see a 25% decrease in machining times as opposed to steel. This allows tool and die manufacturers to produce more orders, get orders out more quickly, and save on costs of labor and tool maintenance.
Though aluminum is more workable than steel, the lower density can prove to be a challenge to machinists accustomed to working with primarily steel. One major consideration for tool manufacturing is the experience and knowledge of the workman. Those who have a strong knowledge of only steel in the tool and die manufacturing process will likely struggle working with aluminum. Because aluminum’s properties are much different than steel’s, the manufacturing process varies dramatically. To ensure a quality product, it is vital that companies offer intense and thorough training for their toolmakers or hire those who already have aluminum machining experience.
In years past, aluminum was considered the “soft” metal. Therefore, tool and die manufacturers considered aluminum useful only as a prototype. This distinction tended to have it utilized in 500 production runs or less. The thought was to use the aluminum tooling for the prototype runs, then switch over to the steel tooling for all production runs. This was the case because many did not understand aluminum’s various alloys and their perspective properties. Simply not enough research had gone into using the metal properly for the tool and die making industry.
Today, aluminum alloys are robust in their mechanical properties. Due to availability of information on alloys and properties, many toolmakers are well versed in the characteristics of these alloys. With the option to use surface coatings and secondary processes to extend tool life, aluminum can be considered just as strong or stronger than its steel counterpart. Modern aluminum tools and dies are now able to withstand over 100,000 production shots. No longer is aluminum seen as the “prototype” metal. Today, it has become a prime material choice for tool and die manufacture.
Aluminum is versatile, long lasting, workable, and lightweight. When considering a metal for your tooling, consider the total costs. The workability of aluminum often outweighs the slightly higher, initial costs when compared to steel. For many tooling and die applications, aluminum fits the build.
Why Trust the Experts at Howard Precision Metals for Your Aluminum Needs?
There are a multitude of reasons why you can trust the professionals at Howard Precision Metals. However, you truly only need to know two.
- Howard Precision Metals has been in the metals industry since 1928.
- Aluminum is all we do.
We’ve built a tremendous reputation throughout the years as the premier aluminum supplier in the Midwest. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Howard Precision Metals works with only premium mill sources. We have learned that purchasing the best aluminum products yields consistent quality and precision results. That’s why we only purchase our aluminum from mill sources with a focus on quality products and on-time delivery.
Not only are our products top notch, we’ve risen the bar on aluminum saw finishes. Our high-speed, custom-built, precision aluminum saws are run by extremely knowledgeable and well-trained operators. Our professional operators and our proprietary equipment are our not-so-secret weapons. Combined, they result in our ability to achieve the smoothest finishes (as nice as 32 RMS) and tightest tolerances (as close as ±.005″) in the aluminum industry. When you need precision results, trust the company with precision right in the name.
Howard Precision Metals sets the standard for precision aluminum products. Because we have world class service, a highly-qualified and highly-skilled staff, and utilize state-of-the-art equipment, we are the aluminum experts. Let us fill your aluminum requirements.
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Contact Howard Precision Metals today by giving us a call at 800.444.0311 or filling out our contact us form.
