Aluminium sheet metal
Laser cutting, press braking and finishing of aluminium sheet from 0.5 to 15 mm — lightweight, corrosion-resistant and made to measure for machine building and enclosures.
- 0.5 – 15 mm
- aluminium sheet thickness
- 8 × 4 × 3 m
- blast cabin
- 3100 mm
- press brake length
About this operation
- Aluminium (various alloys)
- Machine building
- Enclosures
- Transport & lightweight structures
Aluminium sheet processing calls for different machine settings than steel or stainless steel. We cut aluminium from 0.5 to 15 mm on the Trumpf TruLaser 3040, deburr by machine and bend on the servo-electric press brake. Aluminium springs back more than steel when bending; we factor that into the flat pattern and the choice of tooling.
Where tolerances are tight we account for springback during work preparation rather than correcting afterwards. Aluminium is also more prone to scratching than steel: for visible work we leave the protective film in place through to the final operation and take that into account in the sequence of operations.
Read more
Choosing aluminium over steel or stainless steel is usually a trade-off between weight and load. Aluminium is considerably lighter, which counts for moving parts, doors and panels that are handled by hand, and it does not corrode without additional protection. Steel and stainless steel are stiffer at the same thickness; where stiffness is decisive, we compensate with a greater thickness or with bent flanges and stiffeners.
If the parts then need to be welded into an assembly, we do that in house as well. What we watch for when welding aluminium is explained on our page about aluminium welding.
From drawing to delivery
Laser cutting
Aluminium from 0.5 to 15 mm on the Trumpf TruLaser 3040.
Deburring
By machine on the Timesavers 42 Series RB, before bending.
Press braking
On the servo-electric press brake, with springback built into the flat pattern.
Finishing
Blasting in house; anodising and powder coating are outsourced.
Specifications
Indicative values — to be confirmed per project- Sheet thickness
- 0.5 – 15 mm on the Trumpf TruLaser 3040
- Press braking
- springs back more than steel; bend angle and tooling decide the final dimension
- Press brake length
- up to 3100 mm, 150 tonnes press force
- Deburring
- by machine on the Timesavers 42 Series RB
- Blasting
- glass beads 100–200 μm, blast cabin 8 × 4 × 3 m
- Result of blasting
- even matt surface; removes light contamination without attacking the material
- Anodising and powder coating
- outsourced
- Visible work
- more prone to scratching than steel; protective film stays on to the last operation
- Stiffness
- lower than steel at the same thickness; compensated with thickness, flanges or stiffeners
Frequently asked questions
What sheet thickness in aluminium can you laser cut?
On the Trumpf TruLaser 3040 we cut aluminium from 0.5 to 15 mm. With thin sheets and large surfaces we take flatness into account: bent flanges or stiffeners are then often more sensible than a thicker sheet.
Why does aluminium spring back more when press braking?
Aluminium has different material properties from steel and springs back more after bending. The final angle therefore depends more heavily on the choice of tooling and the settings. We account for that during work preparation rather than correcting afterwards.
Can you give aluminium a matt finish?
Yes. In our blast cabin of 8 by 4 by 3 metres we blast with glass beads of 100 to 200 micrometres. This gives an even matt surface and removes light contamination without attacking the material.
Do you weld aluminium in house?
Yes, with TIG and MIG. Which technique we choose depends on sheet thickness, joint shape and the requirements for appearance. Our page on aluminium welding sets out in more detail what we watch for with aluminium.
Discuss your drawing,
part or assembly.
Response within one working day · 074-2912235 · info@assinkschipholt.nl