Alcan International Limited

Walter Bennett

Anthony J Bryant

John H Ablewhite

Peter G Eden

A method of and apparatus for the manufacture of metal extrusions is disclosed in which the metal is extruded through a die having, preferably, a single extrusion aperture. The leading end of the extruded section is gripped and pulled away from the die by a puller 11, and the section is at the same time rapidly and uniformly cooled in a tunnel 8 as extrusion proceeds. When the puller reaches a predetermined distance from the die, the puller and extrusion are stopped simultaneously. The extruded section is then gripped in a device 12 including a pair of gripping jaws adjacent the die and shearing means by which the section is cut through at a location between this pair of jaws and the die. The puller is then operated to move it to stretch the extruded section while the section remains gripped by the gripping jaws of device 12 and in alignment with the die.

Manufacture of metal extrusions

In the thermal ageing of extruded sections of age-hardenable aluminum alloys the sections are progressed through a system having an initial low temperature zone and a subsequent high temperature zone. In order to secure uniform ageing the sections are progressed in a direction transverse to their length and conveniently are arranged in a single layer and spaced apart to ensure acceptably uniform rate of heating to ageing temperature.

Growing community of inventors

Banbury, United Kingdom

Walter Bennett