Wauconda, Illinois -- The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) will host the first-ever Extrusion Design University event, known as EDU ’18, from Monday, May 14 through Wednesday, May16, 2018, at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare in Chicago, IL. “This event is the natural evolution of the AEC’s Industry Promotion efforts, which started in 2011,” said Jeff Henderson, AEC President. “Since then, more than 14,000 architectural, engineering, designing, and specifying professionals have participated in this program. Educational sessions presented have scored an incredible average rating of 4.5 out of 5 by previous attendees. Now, AEC brings that same world-class education to the classroom.” Like recent AEC educational events, these classes will be submitted for continuing education units (CEUs) and likely will be eligible for engineering professional development hour (PDH) credits.
EDU ’18 will connect aluminum extrusion industry experts who understand extrusion design and production processes with design and engineering professionals who are interested in enhancing their understanding and knowledge of aluminum extrusion design, applications and technology. The sessions at EDU will cover a wealth of topics from alloys and applications to finishing and fabrication and will appeal to novices and veterans alike. Sessions are divided into tracks covering applications including, Automotive, Architecture and Engineered Products/Industrial.
The event will also appeal to those in the aluminum extrusion industry, as well. One track, “Taste of ET”, will feature the best papers from the Eleventh International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar (ET ’16). “These insightful papers represent the ‘best of the best’ from the global premier aluminum extrusion industry event, ET” said Henderson. “The wealth of sessions at EDU ’18 offers an excellent educational opportunity for extruders who are not members of the Aluminum Extruders Council to get a preview of the content that AEC members are provided on a regular basis, and for those who specify and use extrusions to obtain an intensive education while earning CEUs that may satisfy their professional development requirements for an entire year.”
At the end of the conference, delegates have an option to include a tour of the Custom Aluminum Products extrusion plant in Genoa, IL, approximately 40 miles west of O’Hare airport. The tour will give participants an excellent opportunity to obtain a first-hand understanding of the aluminum extrusion process from ‘billet to box’. Custom Aluminum Products is a family owned and operated business that provides a full array of manufacturing capabilities, from extrusion and fabrication to engineering, finishing and assembly for a wide variety of markets. Tour participants will see the Genoa facility’s extrusion, paint and fabrication operations. Although the tour is included as part of EDU ’18, additional registration is required due to limited space. Seating will be provided on a first-come, first serve basis.
A $50 registration discount is available through March 9, 2018. Visit www.AEC.org/EDU18 for program details, including sessions and speakers, and to register.
In addition to the educational sessions, EDU ’18 will provide an opportunity for participants to expand their educational experience by adding a workshop before or after the conference. On Monday, May 14, “Determining the Strength of Aluminum Extruded Members” seminar, taught by Randy Kissell, with 40 years of experience in the design, fabrication, erection, and inspection of aluminum structures is being offered. Kissell will discuss the great versatility and advantage of designing with aluminum extrusions because they can readily be produced in custom and complicated cross sections. However, the downside is that it can be difficult to calculate the strength of members made of such shapes. Using The Specification for Aluminum Structures, published by The Aluminum Association, Kissell provides the tools to overcome this challenge, enabling designers to exploit the versatility of aluminum extrusions.
From the respected Business Excellence program, AEC will be hosting the popular Extrusion Excellence: Applied Fundamentals for Aluminum Extruders, led by Dr. Wojciech Z. Misiolek, Director of the Loewy Institute at Lehigh University. The intensive one-day course covers the engineering fundamentals of the extrusion process from billet production through the press to the runout table. This course is intended for those involved in the production of aluminum profiles that may not have had any formal training in the engineering and metallurgical aspects of the extrusion process. The curriculum taught is appropriate for those new to the industry, as well as experienced production personnel. The course is open to AEC members and nonmembers alike.
In addition, the popular Anodizing Essentials Workshop – Level 1, part of the “school for anodizers”, produced by the Aluminum Anodizers Council, will be offered. This one-day program for anodizers teaches the fundamentals and foundation of quality anodizing, taking the learner through the entire anodizing process – beginning with the metallurgical properties of aluminum alloys commonly anodized right through to the final rinse and sealing processes. This course is ideal for those who may be new to working the anodizing line, as well as those who oversee the process or who may simply want a refresher – a reminder of best practices.
These workshops are expected to sell out early. Those interested are encouraged to register soon. Visit www.AEC.org/EDU18 for more information.
EDU will also feature an opening night reception and networking event giving attendees an opportunity to interact with fellow professionals and extrusion experts. During EDU an exhibit hall will feature extruders, and their suppliers, displaying their latest products and services and making their extrusion industry experts available to answer questions, discuss challenges and offer solutions.
Over the past several years, the aluminum extrusion industry has undergone a true revolution. Over $1.5 billion has been collectively invested by aluminum extruders into the domestic industry. Much of this investment updated existing equipment. However, a great deal of it has been targeted at key industries in which extrusion demand has dramatically increased. This investment has transformed and modernized extrusion plants with the latest technology designed to meet the most rigorous demands. “Our members are excited to share their expertise and discuss how aluminum extrusion can provide a cost-effective solution to manufacturing challenges at EDU ’18,” said Henderson.
