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Questions tagged [aluminum]

94 questions
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In aluminum machining, what are the most common factors that might cause a machined component to have warping issues?

I am currently having an issue where features of my machined parts are warping. I am using Alloy 7050 Type I and Type III in this particular case. Using a feeler gauge and a certified, calibrated granite slab, I am getting out-of-flatness…
Tim D
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Aluminum weight saving

"Aluminum saves weight! Its 3 times lighter than steel!" Also its 3 times weaker and 3 times softer. When comparing stiffness and strenght to weight ratio, aluminum isnt any better than steel of comparable grade. Yes, 7000 grade expensive aluminum…
Soliton
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What method can I use to make a pivot point in an aluminum linkage?

I recently had a project where I made an aluminum linkage (similar to a scissor lift) operated by linear actuators. Aluminum pieces were fabricated from 6061 "standard" aluminum stock, 6mm (0.25 inch) thick. The bars are at most 750x75mm (30x3").…
JYelton
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Why do manufacturers still make aluminum kitchen utensils?

I noticed many kitchen utensils or stand mixer attachments are made with injected aluminum. Aluminum (~\$20/kg) is usually more expensive than stainless steel (~\$10/kg) and is not compatible with dishwashers. For instance, I have a peeler made…
nowox
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1 answer

Strength of a Vertical Round Aluminum Tube with load cantilevered off it?

Can a vertical round tube safely support a cantilevered arm mounted near the top of the tube? ROUND VERTICAL TUBE: 6061 Aluminum 2 inch Outside diameter 0.25 inch wall thickness 3 feet height ROUND VERTICAL TUBE / CANTILEVERED ARM…
serac
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Aluminum vs Steel rivets/fasteners in a high vibration environment

What are the relative pros and cons between aluminum and steel fasteners when riveting together sheet aluminum (50XX or 60XX) when high amounts of vibration are anticipated? Assuming that the usual guidelines for sheet thickness, hole size and…
Green
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What is the opposite of flaring a tube (pinching?) and is there a tool to do this with aluminum?

I'd like to make my own structure that will hold roughly 50-100lbs of equipment. Since I need this to be portable, I feel like aluminum tubing would be the most practical. My structure will basically be a 2.5'-10' cube. I want to get 2.5' tube…
ntgCleaner
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Cantilever Table Legs

I am building a table with four legs which must support a dead weight of 250 kg, and possible peak dynamic load of 1000 kg (A 200 kg person climbs onto and off of it). The legs come straight down from the box, rigidly fixed to an aluminum tubing…
robertbranham
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Is stress relieving by stretching necessary when performing a T751 heat treatment after a T651?

We have a 7075 Al pump housing that has currently undergone a T651 temper but requires a T751 treatment to alleviate stress corrosion cracking. Is it necessary to re-stretch a 7075 aluminum part to relieve internal stresses after a T751 heat…
eatscrayons
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Can aluminium foil be a thermal insulator?

I've searched on Google that aluminium foil can be a thermal insulator, but how does it work? From my thought process, it should've been a conductor because its a metal, right? But, some said that because its so thin and has large surface area, the…
el-cheapo
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Rivet pattern management in Fusion 360

As a follow up to this question, I have a question about rivet hole management in Autodesk Fusion 360. I've got two pieces, a flat sheet of aluminum and an inverted hat channel that I want to rivet together. The easy (and naive) way would be simply…
Green
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Aluminum for an Ejection Seat Replica

I love ejection seats and the flying contraptions they usually reside in. In fact, I like them so much that I want to make my own, despite my profound lack of training and inexperience with mechanical engineering in general. After doing a little…
Green
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Placing machine visions targets with high accuracy

My company is working on a machine vision application. One of our requirements is that the camera peer through a frame (like a picture frame - see here ), where the top and bottom border are etched with machine vision targets. The frame is…
user3614305
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Intuition vs software results

I've recently designed what is essentially an aluminium box. I've done the entire design process of CAD software SolidWorks and then done some simulations of loading of the box. Through iterations I've figured out the minimum thickness of the…
ThePlanMan
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How to do gold plating on Anodized aluminum and stainless steel?

I have done some research and asked in a few forums for gold plating on anodized aluminum and stainless steel but haven't yet found the answer to my questions. What are the chemicals for pre-processing the surface and the suitable gold solution for…
user1314404
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