We work with the 6000 series aluminium alloys, specifically 6063 in T5 and 6005 - 6061 in T6.
Extrusion & Machining
Bespoke Aluminium Extrusion & Aluminium Profile Machining
Once drawings and prototypes approved, we can begin production. Our trusted partner will extrude your bespoke aluminium profile and we will then machine it into a finished component ready for installation or integration into your final product. With over two decades of experience, and having worked with our extruder for 15+ years, we can find ways to optimise both the extrusion and machining processes to produce better results at highly competitive manufacturing costs.
Bespoke Aluminium Extrusion
Our trusted extrusion partner, located near our facility, will extrude your bespoke aluminium profile. We have worked with them for more than 15 years, therefore benefitting from effective communicaton, and know their production to be reliable and consistent.
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) are, on average, 500 kg per profile per year, although this can vary depending on your profile's geometry. Find out more about how MOQs for bespoke aluminium profiles are determined.
The dimensional tolerances below are the standard extrusion tolerances we typically work to. These values reflect the dimensional accuracy our extrusion partner can consistently achieve under normal production conditions. Actual tolerances may vary.
Dimension (mm) |
>1 |
>1–2 |
>2–3 |
>3–6 |
>6–12 |
>12–19 |
>19–25 |
>25–38 |
>38–50 |
>50–100 |
>100–150 |
>150–200 |
>200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tolerance ± (mm) |
0.10 |
0.12 |
0.14 |
0.18 |
0.20 |
0.23 |
0.25 |
0.30 |
0.36 |
0.61 |
0.86 |
1.12 |
1.37 |
If you require more information on extrusion, specifically bespoke aluminium extrusion design tips, visit our Designing with Aluminium Guide.
Aluminium Profile Machining
Machining is at the heart of ALUCAD.
We specialise in transforming your bespoke aluminium extrusions into machined aluminium profiles. We machine (and clean and package) your aluminium components in-house at our production centre, and will always be on the look out for a more efficient way to machine your aluminium profile to optimise repeatability and precision.
Since we manage the profile design from the beginning and work closely with our extrusion partner, we can optimise manufacturing from the outset so that the extruded bars are already suited to efficient machining. This often reduces handling, simplifies machining operations, and lowers production costs.
Whenever beneficial, we design and manufacture custom punching tools in-house using CNC EDM technology. Punching, along with the custom tools we fabricate ourselves, improve positioning accuracy, reduce setup times, increase repeatability, and also help lower production costs significantly. You can find out more about the value of custom-tools for machining aluminium profiles in our blog.
If you'd like to learn more about aluminium profile machining, including the tolerances we work to, our manufacturing standards, and the factors influencing manufacturability, our Designing with Aluminium Guide also covers machining considerations.
Our Machining Capabilities
CNC Machining - Cutting - Milling - Drilling - Tapping - Punching - Waterjet Cutting - Bending - Turning
Browse our Equipment Catalogue to learn more about our machining capabilities and production equipment.
About Our Production
Production Management
We manage and coordinate the entire manufacturing process, with extrusion and surface finishing done with a partner we trust, while machining and accessory assemblies are done in-house at our production centre, and overall management and logistics to ensure your bespoke aluminium profile arrives to specification and on schedule is conducted by our team in Argentan, France. Explore the next step in production: our aluminium finishing services.
MOQ
Our average MOQ is approximately 500 kg per profile per year, although this varies depending on your bespoke aluminium profile’s production requirements. We’ll be able to provide a more accurate MOQ once we’ve reviewed your drawings and specifications.
Quality Control
We combine manual inspections with digital measurement systems, including an electronic measuring microscope, to ensure your components meet specification. Quality checks are carried out throughout production and again upon arrival at our French headquarters. Inspection levels are determined according to the project's requirements.
Lead Times
Typical lead times range from 3–4 months, and regular shipments arrive at our French headquarters, allowing deliveries to be split and scheduled to match your production needs rather than requiring you to receive your full annual volume at once.
Advantages of Working with ALUCAD
✓ Specialists in transforming bespoke aluminium profiles into finished components
✓ In-house custom tooling designed to improve machining accuracy and production efficiency
✓ Small aluminium profiles manufacture (smallest as of yet was 4mm by 4mm weighing 43g/m)
✓ Flexible delivery schedules through regular shipments to our french headquarters
✓ Continuous quality checks throughout production
✓ European project management and communication
✓ Single supplier management from extrusion through machining, finishing, and delivery
✓ EU standards at globally competitive manufacturing costs
Why Are Minimum Order Quantities Imposed by Aluminium Profile Manufacturers?
Read more →
Choosing the Right Machining Process for Your Aluminium Profile: CNC vs Punching
Read more →
The Value of Custom-Made Punching Tools for Aluminium Profile Machining
Read more →
Find out what we can do for you
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions About Bespoke Aluminium Extrusion and Machining
We work with the EN 755 standards. You can find a table of the tolerances we work with for aluminium extrusion in our aluminium profile design guide.
Our aluminium extrusion machining capabilities include 4-axis CNC machining, milling, drilling, tapping, sawing, punching, countersinking, slotting, deburring, waterjet cutting, bending, and turning. Check out our range of aluminium machining equipment.
Achievable aluminium machining tolerances depend on the profile geometry, component length, datum structure, feature size, machine access, fixturing, and inspection, but, in general, we work with ISO 2768-mK. You can find out more about the machining tolerances we work with in our aluminium profile design guide.