LIGHTWEIGHT METALWORK / Aluminum Fabrication
Aluminum. Less weight, considered design.
Bring lightweight components into focus with the right alloy, geometry and joining approach. Define the performance your assembly needs before choosing its fabrication route.
01 / THE PROCESS
Start with the application.
Aluminum fabrication can combine sheet, plate and extruded sections into frames, covers and assemblies. Lower density can reduce component weight, but section design, stiffness and connection behaviour still determine whether a part is suitable.
Alloy and temper affect bending, machining and welding. Heat from welding can change properties near a joint, so a welded assembly must not be assessed solely from unwelded material strength. Exterior exposure and contact with other metals also influence detailing.
02 / APPLICATIONS
Typical fabrication applications.
Potential project types to help define your scope.
Lightweight frames
Equipment frames with mounting interfaces and stiffness requirements identified.
Platforms
Access or working platforms with loads and engineering responsibilities established.
Enclosures
Covers and housings where weight, ventilation and environmental protection matter.
Equipment components
Parts coordinated with mating surfaces, motion and operating conditions.
Custom brackets
Mounting brackets with fasteners, forces and bend geometry specified.
Architectural assemblies
Screens, trim and panels with finish and expansion details coordinated.
03 / MATERIAL SELECTION
Choose for the working environment.
Material suitability and availability are reviewed against your specification.
Sheet alloys
5052 is often considered for formed sheet work. Bendability depends on the specified temper, thickness and geometry.
Extrusions and plate
6061 is used in many structural and equipment applications. Temper and the effects of joining must be considered in the design.
Finish and isolation
Anodizing, coating or an appropriate bare finish may suit the application. Identify dissimilar-metal contact and any isolation requirements.
04 / FABRICATION CAPABILITIES
Connect the processes.
Cutting & feature preparation
Define holes, slots, mating faces and burr requirements. Machined interfaces may need a separate finishing operation.
Forming & assembly
Select bend geometry with the alloy and temper in mind. A section that suits machining may not suit a tight bend.
Joining & finish coordination
Weld method, filler and appearance need joint-specific review. Finish colour and consistency can depend on alloy and welding.
05 / INDUSTRIES SERVED
Built around your sector.
06 / PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
A better brief.
A clearer quote.
Include alloy and temper if specified, target weight or stiffness requirements, loaded connections, mating metals and visible finish areas.
Add supported drawings in the secure document step when upload is available. You can also submit the scope without files and identify what needs clarification.
PREPARE YOUR RFQ ↗Drawings & specifications
Identify the revision, units, intended use and critical dimensions. Describe available drawings in your inquiry.
Material & quantities
State material preferences, thickness or section, part quantities and repeat-order expectations.
Finish & acceptance
Define finish, visible faces, dimensional requirements, inspection and documentation.
Delivery & schedule
Include city, province, access or unloading constraints and the required project dates.
Installation & interfaces
Identify site work, mating components, measurement responsibilities and installation needs where applicable.
QUESTIONS / ANSWERS
Before you specify.
Can aluminum replace a steel component directly?
Not automatically. Strength, stiffness, geometry and connection behaviour differ. A qualified designer should assess any load-bearing substitution.
Which alloy should I request?
Identify the function, product form and planned joining or forming operations. An existing engineering specification takes precedence over a generic alloy preference.
Will welding affect the material?
It can change properties around the joint, particularly in heat-treated alloys. The design and acceptance criteria need to account for the welded condition.
Is aluminum corrosion-proof outdoors?
No. Alloy, moisture, salts, coatings and contact with other metals influence performance. Describe the exposure and connection details.
Can visible parts be anodized?
Specify the required appearance and reference sample. Alloy choice, mixed components and welds can affect the result, so finish expectations need early review.
MATERIAL / METHOD
Explore the fabrication decisions.
Relevant capabilities
Material guidance
CONNECTED PROCESSES
Complete the fabrication scope.
FOCUSED FABRICATION
Start with the component you need.
Explore specific metalwork requirements, from individual mounting parts to complete fabricated assemblies.
Custom Metal Enclosures
Bring equipment dimensions, access requirements and operating conditions together in a clearly specified metal housing. Plan the shell around the components it contains and the people who maintain them.
EXPLORE REQUIREMENTS ↗Architectural Metal Panels & Trim
Translate a design intent into buildable metal details. Coordinate panel modules, folded returns, joints and attachment points with the surfaces and systems around them.
EXPLORE REQUIREMENTS ↗FABRICATED PRODUCTS
From a fabrication process to a useful product.
Transit & mobility
Bus Shelters
Bus shelter fabrication planning for metal frames, roofs, glazing interfaces and seating. Define site loads, foundations, accessibility and installation scope.
EXPLORE PRODUCTTransit & mobility
Bike Shelters
Custom bike shelter metalwork, canopy frames and rack coordination. Plan roof drainage, clearances, foundations, finishes and site-specific structural requirements.
EXPLORE PRODUCTPublic realm
Architectural Metal Planters
Custom metal planters for terraces, entrances and landscapes. Coordinate folded panels, liners, drainage, wet soil loads, finish and delivery access.
EXPLORE PRODUCTIndustrial products
Equipment Enclosures
Custom sheet metal equipment cabinets and enclosures. Plan clearances, ventilation, doors, cable entries, corrosion resistance and required enclosure ratings.
EXPLORE PRODUCTYOUR NEXT STEP
Make weight part of the specification.
Share your alloy preference, geometry, connection details and finish for an aluminum fabrication quote.