The aluminum tubes and shapes we produce come in a variety of shapes, sizes and alloys. More importantly, the dies that we use to produce those shapes are highly engineered pieces of tooling. First, CAD models are created and downloaded to wire EDM machines. Then, H13 tool steel blanks are cut with the wire EDM to produce the die. Finally, vertical & horizontal CNC mills are used to machine the fine details needed to successfully produce the aluminum extrusion.
Another benefit worth mentioning is that, compared to other types of tooling used in manufacturing, the cost to produce extrusion tooling is inexpensive. Dies for simple geometric shapes generally cost between $550 and $750. Hollow designs require a 2-piece die, which cost generally cost between $1,250 and $1,500. Highly complicated multi-void hollow designs can run up to $4,999. Our tooling prices and lead times are also generally much less than other types of manufacturing. Tools for injection molded or stamped parts frequently cost over $10,000 and take up to 12 weeks to make. The lead time for our aluminum extrusion dies are typically 3-4 weeks.
Because we pay for all future maintenance, repair and replacement costs, you only pay once for your custom aluminum extrusion dies. In addition, we consider the tools the intellectual property of our customers. We will not produce extrusions from the tool for anyone other than the customer, unless he or she gives us written permission to produce orders for a third party.
As project volumes grow, PPE purchases extra dies at no cost to the customer. The extra dies are used for backup purposes to ensure that if the original needs to be repaired or replaced, there is no disruption in order shipments. When we have long running projects,
we can use multiple die vendors. The vendors each have their own unique strengths, and we choose which one to work with based upon the customer’s design, tolerances and alloy/temper. By utilizing multiple vendors, we have the best chance of producing the design in the quickest amount of time.
