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Aluminium Sections
Aluminium Sections
Anodising:
Is an electrochemical process that thickens and toughens the naturally
occurring protective oxide layer on the surface of aluminium. The tough
finish is the second hardest substance known to man, second only to
diamond, but because the layer is thin it can be scratched through by sharp
protrusions. The anodic coating is part of the metal, but has a porous
structure which allows the different dyes to soak into the surface producing
coloured anodizing. Take care as the colour can be easily washed out if it
comes in to contact with caustic material that included cement and lime
products as well as dishwasher detergents.
For more in formation follow the link: Anodised aluminium
Powder coating and painting:
Paints and lacquers may be applied by brushing, rolling, pouring, flow
coating, airless or hot spraying, electrostatic coating with liquid or powder,
or immersion.
The method chosen depends upon the needs and requirements for efficiency,
appearance, uniformity of the coating, and extrusion shape. Single coat
finishes are used for decorative purposes in items that need to withstand on
little stress or human interaction and only mild chemical contacts. Multi-coat
finishes are best used for exposure to moisture, aggressive chemicals or high
mechanical stresses.
For more information follow the link: Coatings
Mechanical finishes:
This includes polishing and brushing. These techniques remove surface
imperfections and produce a uniform appearance and allow for additional
treatment in order to attain various finishes for decorative purposes.
For more information follow the link: Mechanical finishes
Joining aluminium sections
Before joining aluminium there are some important processes you will need
to follow before
joining the sections. They are processes that deal with:
quality assurance- sizes are correct etc. all sections are available
OH&S issues PPE and duty of care
any special protective equipment that may be used fro material and
personal
selecting and checking the tools for the job. Tools sharp and set up
properly
types of aluminium sections. Are profiles compatable.
Now that you know how to identify the correct sections and their uses,
you will need to know how to join these sections.
Mitre joints
Mitred bull joints are used to construct corners of sashes, flywire screens
and security screens. They are cut at 45 and are held together by a corner
stake internally.
Mitre cutting of corner joints offers a number of advantages, including
simplicity of preparation and neat appearance. The accuracy of the mitre
cut can only be achieved with first class sawing equipment including
facilities for clamping the workpiece during cutting. Some form of corner
stake is necessary to keep the joint in alignment.
Fitting mitre joints
Mitre joints can be secured a number of ways, including:
serrated stakes
pop rivets
dimpling
screws.
The serrated stake is designed to be a driven into each section without
distorting the walls. However, care must be taken when inserting the
corner stake into the frames as misalignment can result in dinting the
aluminium section. Screw or pop rivet fastening is necessary to secure the
joint.
Sometimes small projections are provided inside the frame section which
shear off as the stake is driven. Screw or rivet fastening completes the
joint.
Serrated stake
In some cases dimpling is used to secure the joint. While this can be done
manually, a more positive result is achieved with a press operation. Stakes
for this method of jointing can be aluminium, nylon or a plastic material
specially designed with recesses that accept the dimpling and force the
connection into a tight joint.
The mitre joint can be secured by screws where flutes are provided in the
frame section. This is most effective where the frame is firmly set around
the base material, such as fitting glass in a sash. Where the frame is not
supported or restrained there is a tendency for the joint to ride up as the
screw is tightened and all clearances taken up, resulting in an untidy joint.
Socket joint
This joint is made up of plain channel or box extrusions which have no
provisions for other forms of assembly. A spigot is fixed to one member
and the joint is completed by fixing the other member to the spigot.
Socket Joint
Mortice and tenons
The members are machined to provide holes and tenons in corresponding
positions. The tenon is riveted over after assembly. This method is used to
frame sections under 50 mm and grille fabrication.
Besides normal strainless steel raised head screws, bolts and nuts, and a
variety of self-tapping screws are commonly used in aluminium
constructions. This type of screws are often very useful in assemblies with
extruded profiles.
Snap-in assembly
Aluminium products are designed and developed to finished product
standards. This means that any attachments or other sections or fittings
must use continuous extruded flutes without visible fixings. Designs are
such that the article snaps over a lug and clips into its final position.
Snap in assemblies
Safety glasses
Hearing protection
No rings or watches
No loose cuffs
Steel capped work
shoes
When cutting
aluminium always
wear a full face
Securing joins
Two of the more common joints used in fabrication are the screw joint and
the spigot joint.
Screw joints are commonly used in frame fabrication, whilst spigot joints
are used in door and window fabrication.
Prior to assembly sealant is applied to the abutting surfaces of the joint.
This makes it waterproof.
Spring pins
Spigot
Door stile
Door rail
S.S. Screw
You must consider the following factors that can determine section
lengths.
An assembly sequence is required so that you know which sections
are to run through and which sections run between. This will help
you to develop a cutting list.
Which jointing methods you use will determines how the
aluminium will be cut. This will also affect the cutting list.
How aluminium sections are cut to length and prepared for jointing.
This can alter the section lengths if they are filed or shaped to fit.
Remember to use your personal protective equipment when cutting and to
clean off any excess lubricant with a soft clean cloth.
Prepare the aluminium sections for jointing. Depending on the
jointing method, all surfaces must finish flush and without twist.
Jigs and templates will help you achieve this.
A jig can be made from an off-cut ofsection that is to butt into another
section.
The off-cut is aligned into position and the holes are marked where the
screws are to go.
Electric drill
Off cut jig
from sill or
transom
Mullion piece
Metal threads are used mainly for securing replaceable hardware items
such as:
locks
pull handles
door closers
hinges.
They are applied into tapped holes and provide excellent fixing where
permanence of thread is required for subsequent re-use.
Where heavy forces are likely to be encountered resulting in pullout
because of thread stripping, it is necessary to provide reinforcing backing
plates to increase the threaded thickness to a minimum of 6 mm.
Pop rivets enable you to attach two items together without having access to
the back side of the item. For this reason, they are sometimes called "blind
rivets".
POP - Rivets
They come in different lengths and diameters. Most rivets are aluminum,
but it's possible to also get steel, stainless steel and other metal rivets.
A pop rivet has a pin up the centre that goes into the pop rivet gun. The gun
grabs hold of the pin and tries to pull it through the rivet body. As this is
done, the head of the center pin bends out the body and crimps it tight.
When done, the center pin breaks off.
When using pop rivets, the rivet should be a snug fit in the hole through the
material. The length of the rivet should be such that before crimping, it's
sticking out the blind side about 6mm. If using rivets on soft material, you
should use a washer on the blind side to spread out the load (there are
special washers for this).
There are a range of different head types to suite most finishes. Aluminium
heads can be annodised to match the finish on the aluminium section being
used.
Cleaning tools
To maintain tools in their best condition, it is important that you clean
them after use. Dirty hand or power tools can affect the quality of the job.
Storing tools
As blades and cutters used to cut aluminium are usually tungsten-carbide,
it is important to store them safely as the slightest knock can damage teeth
and result in uneven cutting.
Cleaning the work area of all waste material
Rack longer off-cuts neatly and safely to prevent them toppling
over and causing a possible hazard.
All small off-cuts should be cleared from machines and
workbenches so the workplace is left clean and safe.
As aluminium can be recycled, all off-cuts should be placed in
containers labelled Aluminium Only.