Custom Aluminium Extrusion: The Process

Custom Aluminium Extrusion: The Process

If the standard sections in the catalogue do not meet your needs, the solution is a custom aluminium extrusion: a special profile pressed to your drawing. This guide shows how a profile goes from drawing to series production, what information is needed for a quote, where the technical limits lie and which design rules make extrusion easier.

When do you need a custom profile?

A custom die makes sense when a standard profile is not enough, for example when:

  • The section you need is not in the catalogue.
  • You want to combine functions such as a nut slot, cable channel or gasket seat in one profile and save parts.
  • You need tighter tolerances than EN 755 or a special surface finish.
  • You want to reduce secondary operations (sawing, milling) in series production.

From drawing to profile: the process

The process typically follows these steps:

  • 1. Enquiry and drawing: you send your 2D/3D CAD drawing, the application, preferred alloy and quantity.
  • 2. Feasibility and die design: our engineers check that the section can be extruded (wall thicknesses, hollow chambers); the die is designed in-house with CAD/CAM.
  • 3. Die manufacturing: the die is made in our own tool shop.
  • 4. Trial extrusion and sample: a prototype is extruded, dimensions are compared with the drawing and the sample is approved.
  • 5. Series production and processing: the series runs on our presses; anodizing or powder coating, cutting, drilling and CNC machining follow as required.

What information do we need for your quote?

For a fast and accurate quote, the following is enough:

  • 2D/3D CAD drawing
  • Application and load conditions
  • Alloy and temper (if specified)
  • Length and approximate annual quantity
  • Surface finish (mill finish, anodized, powder coated)
  • Tolerance and standard requirements

Technical possibilities and limits

The values below show the usual ranges for custom profiles; they are confirmed for each section in the feasibility study.

FeatureValue
Weight0.080 – 18.0 kg/m
Circumscribing circleup to Ø220 mm
AlloysEN AW-6060, 6063, 6082, 6005A, 1050
TemperT4, T5, T6
Geometrysolid, hollow and multi-chamber sections
TolerancesEN 755 / EN 12020 or tighter per customer specification
Surfaceas required, including hard anodizing
Processingcutting, drilling, precision CNC machining

Design tips for extrudable profiles

These general rules improve manufacturability and cost:

  • Keep wall thicknesses as uniform as possible and avoid abrupt changes.
  • Use radii instead of sharp inside corners.
  • Avoid very narrow, deep slots and choose adequate wall thickness for hollow sections.
  • Combine nut slot, cable channel and gasket seat in one profile.
  • Specify tight tolerances only where they are functionally necessary; this reduces cost.

Frequently asked questions

When should I choose a custom profile instead of a standard one?
When the section you need is not in the catalogue or you want to combine several functions in one profile.

What do I need for a quote?
Your 2D/3D CAD drawing plus application, alloy, length, quantity and surface finish are enough; you can upload the drawing via the contact page.

Do you deliver abroad?
Yes, we export directly from Turkey to more than 50 countries.

Have a drawing ready? Upload it via the contact page, see examples on our custom aluminium profiles page or choose standard sections under standard extrusion profiles.

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