As the extruded profiles these days are
made of a wide range of materials so there is need for a thorough
understanding about the profile's nature, and it's application. When
venturing into the extruded profiles as a smart buyer you need to give a
thorough consideration to the following points. Let's start with the
aluminium extruded shapes.
Buying Tips for Extruded Aluminium Profiles
- Item description
This is the most basic consideration, a careful read ing of the item
description can give you a good knowledge of whats on offer. In
particular please give the a thought to the purpose for which the
profiles are intended. In case of any doubt, email the seller.
- Tolerance limit
It is quite likely that the limit offered is not what you are looking
for.
- Quantity requirement
When dealing in small quantities of aluminium profiles depending on
shape, size alloy and complexity it is not always feasible to switchover
to extrusion profiles.
- Profile's life cycle
In case Where a profiles design life-cycle is just too short for
amortizing the cost of an extrusion die then also it is not feasible to
go for extruded profiles.
- Just-In-Time stocking programs
It is advisable to go for people who offer just in time stocking
programmes to avoid potential stock outs and material shortages.

- Procuring the raw material
A careful consideration is to be given to the sourcing of bars and
billets, as different sources can bring with them a risk, with regard to
how the supplier is maintaining their stock and the tooling that
produces it.
- Determining the cost of production
Cost for extrusions, you need to understand is typically a function of
quantity, size, wall thickness, weight/foot, alloy, length, temper,
packaging, types of shape (solid, semi-hollow or hollow), marking and
shipping quantity etc. So all these considerations are to be followed
and suggestions taken before venturing into procuring extrusion
products.
Buying Tips for Extruded Rubber Profiles
When buying extruded rubber or elastomeric profiles the following points
are to be considered.
- First make sure that the manufacturer has the capacity to handle
miscellaneous flexible materials. It is better to opt for an experienced
vendor who may have the necessary resources to help you specify either a
new or improved material for the application.
- Make absolutely sure that the vendor quotes according to your exact
requirements and specifications.
- For measuring material hardness, it is a good idea to use a
Durometer measure. For this Shore A scale can be used. For soft the
ratings may be at 30, for very hard this figure can be around 90.
- Ideally a vendor should offer a large variety of curing processes,
like mandrel, salt bath, autoclave,
convection,
hot air and microwave methods.
- What sort of cutting process is employed by the vendor?
- The next crucial question is if the extrusion vendor is adept enough
in adding other materials to a profile.
- Make sure that the vendor offers a range of splicing methods such as
vulcanization for dense and sponge profiles while the economical
alternative of cold splices.
- Do not hesitate to ask the vendor to supply prototypes at minimal
cost, which may be tested for dimensions, tolerances, and other
properties.
Buying Tips for Extruded Plastic Profiles
When procuring extruded profiles made of plastic materials the following
points can help to guide you to the best deals in extrusions.
- Selecting the material type
The material you intend to use solely depends upon the application. But
there is a chance that a a base material can be substituted for a less
expensive one. For example switching over from PVC to High Impact
Polystyrene (HIPS) can be viable option. Advantages can range from lower
price, to requirement of lesser pounds per order because of the fact
that the specific gravity of HIPS is 25% less as compared to PVC.
- Design Change
Be flexible enough to changes in design. If an original part design
asks for costly decorating or fabrication operations, there may be
vendors who can help to re-design the part for achieving the same effect
by using a less expensive option.
- Volume
If your requirement is of a considerable number of profiles over a
period, place
your
requirement with the vendor accordingly. Actually to a manufacturer
setup and tear down costs does not change drastically for manufacturing
a single part to say one million parts. So placing bulk orders certainly
helps in to amortize the setup costs over a greater quantity, thus
lowering the cost per part. Bulk orders can also reduce material and
color costs, that can be purchased more efficiently.
- Weight of the material
Please give it a good consideration. Although the overall shape or size
of an extruded plastic profile can't be altered, but thinning down the
wall section can save considerable money.