In this months issue
Technical Education & Expertise Found Only at ET ’24!
Jerome Fourmann
Rio Tinto - Aluminium
ET '24 Chairman
When you attend an ET Seminar week, you are surrounded by a host of Aluminum Extrusion technical experts and educational offerings found only at ET '24. The Thirteenth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar & Exposition presents an entire week of ET technical sessions, in-conjunction workshops, and an exhibition hall filled with industry supplier expertise on the products and services essential to extrusion. Nowhere else will you find this global gathering of extrusion knowledge and innovation. ET has become the industry institution for our global community!
If you and your team have not yet registered for ET '24, don't wait - the premiere early-bird and team discounts are available now, through December 23, so set your travel plans for ET '24 in Orlando, April 30-May 2, and build into your schedule the add-on courses on April 29 and May 3 to round out your ET Week.
One final ask: please like, share and follow ET '24 on social media, on Facebook, “X” (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn (ET Foundation) to help us spread the word about this golden opportunity to expand your extrusion knowledge while nETworking with the entire world of aluminum extrusion experts and colleagues. We are counting on you to help make ET '24 the best ET yet!
Connect with Colleagues on ET Social Media!
Wondering how you can get more involved and better prepared for ET '24? Connect with your industry peers and colleagues on all things ET by following us with #ET24 on our ET Foundation page on LinkedIn and share the latest news and updates and your own ET Week experiences - like, comment and share on Facebook and “X” (formerly Twitter) and tell us what you’re most looking forward to seeing and doing at ET '24!
ET '24's best registration discounts are set to expire after December 23, 2023 so don't wait! Two tiers of discounts are available to those who register early, plus the Team discount for five or more from the same company, can save up to $275 per person on your ET '24 registration fees, excluding hotel and add-on workshops.
The top-tier Premium Discount (extra early) saves $200 each off the Standard Rate of $1,495 per person IF registration and payment are received on or before December 23, 2023. For those who register and pay between December 24 and February 16, the Early Discount saves $100 per person off the Standard Rate. After February 16, 2024, the Standard Rate applies.
Another great way to save is by registering your entire Team of five or more as a group. The Team Discount saves registered Team members from the same company an additional $75 each when registered and paid together at the same time. The Team Discount is available on top of the other discounts. When you take the Premium Discount and Team Discount together through Dec. 23, save $275 per person; and when taking the Early and Team Discounts between Dec. 24 and Feb 16, save $175 per person. Maximize ET's value by taking advantage of available ET '24 registration discounts early! For more information and to register, visit ET24.us today!
Book Your Hotel Reservation Early at the Special ET ’24 Rate
Plan travel now to ET '24 taking place at the Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando Resort on Universal Blvd., in the heart of Orlando's convention and theme park district. Join us for the industry's most prestigious global technical conference covering all things aluminum extrusion. Whether you are an aluminum extruder, an industry supplier, a product designer or user of extrusions, you will find invaluable education and nETworking connections at ET '24.
Making your travel plans now saves time and hassles! Book your hotel room no later than Thursday, April 4, 2024 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time – UTC-5) to ensure you get the special discounted ET '24 room rate. Call toll-free at 866.996.6338 (in the U.S.) or 407.996.6338 to make your reservations and mention the Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar to get the special ET rate. You can also reserve your room online here. Hotel and Travel information is available at ET24.us. International travelers must plan to obtain their visas as soon as possible. Details for foreign travelers are also available on the page with information and links to resources.
Visit the Hotel & Travel page for hotel reservation information. The Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando offers luxury amenities to keep guests entertained and well-fed - outside of ET ’24 activities, that is! The Resort offers 15 restaurants and lounges serving a wide array of cuisines - including an award-winning steakhouse, an Italian bistro, an elaborate buffet, and an à la carte menu serving all meals of the day and in between. An award-winning golf course at the Shingle Creek Golf Club features golf for players at all skill levels. The Spa at Shingle Creek offers a day spa and elite salon providing treatments and services for total mind and body relaxation. Four heated pools, two lit tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, nature and walking trails, a video game room and more await you at the Creek. Make the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort your ET Week headquarters and don't miss a moment of ET while experiencing ET '24 in the most ideal setting imaginable!
ET ’24 Track Preview: Alloys & Billet Process (BP) and Extrusion Equipment (EE)
Speaking of technical expertise, the heart of ET '24 is its technical sessions. Here, we focus on some upcoming highlights from the Billet Process and Extrusion Equipment tracks, presented to you by industry veterans and subject matter experts on May 1-2, 2024.
The Alloys & Billet Process (BP) Track at ET '24 showcases advancements in development of high-strength 6xxx-series aluminum alloys; the influence of alloying elements on the formation of longitudinal weld streak defects; alloy development for multi-port aluminum tubes for automotive condenser and evaporator applications; comparing crash performance of 6060, 6063 and 6082 extruded alloys for automotive applications; and a furnace camera system for identifying aluminum level and aluminothermic reactions, plus many more technical advances you won’t want to miss.
In the Extrusion Equipment (EE) track, topics cover the "nuts and bolts" of extrusion equipment plus trending technologies including: Data fusion for AI and predictive maintenance of hydraulic valves for extrusion plants; the manifestation of Industry 4.0 in aluminum extrusion operations; hot work tool steel material quality and heat treatment; the next generation of extrusion lubrication; advanced geometry for quenching/cooling technology for aluminum profiles; the transition to electrical technologies in aluminum extrusion; and smarter, greener technical devices for profile handling systems and a variety of equipment innovations to keep your plant competitive.
Alloy, process, and equipment innovations are increasingly influenced by the trends toward sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, decarbonization, and plant innovations that continue to move our industry into the future. Don't miss this opportunity to learn all the latest in key areas that impact your extrusion operations!
ET Week Presents In-Conjunction Workshops Galore!
Receive unmatched in-person learning from top industry experts at ET '24 In-Conjunction Workshops! Space is very limited, so register early! Workshop/course fees include lunch and all course materials. Plan to include these essential educational opportunities for your Team! To learn more, visit ET24.us and choose ET Seminar/In-Conjunction Workshops.
On Monday, April 29, jump-start your ET Week with one of four full-day educational sessions:
- Extrusion Excellence: Applied Fundamentals for Aluminum Extruders– Theory and practice on aluminum extrusion process from billet production to the press, to the runout table on topics including alloys, billet metallurgy, extrudability, and much more.
- Finishing Workshop– Developments in pretreatment, equipment, coating and finishing processes, specific to aluminum extrusion finishing, anodizing and painting. Problem-solving techniques, roundtable discussions and interactive Field-Testing stations are presented.
- Process Analysis and Optimization– The renowned University of Bologna team shares expertise on optimizing die design, improving welding phenomena in extrusion dies, increasing die life, and analyzing final extruded profile microstructure. Practical and analytical extrusion concepts, material flow and friction, die failure modes and die life prediction are highlighted.
- Anodizing Essentials Class– This Aluminum Anodizers Council’s (AAC) “School for Anodizers” course increases knowledge and ability in anodizing line operations. Foundational concepts for quality anodizing process, from alloys’ metallurgical properties through final rinse and sealing are taught.
On Friday, May 3, complete your ET Week learning experience:
- Extrusion Excellence: Applied Fundamentals for Aluminum Extruders– An encore presentation of this popular workshop caps off a week of intensive extrusion education.
- AEC Die Clinic – Learn essential highlights from previous AEC Die Clinics, taught by AEC Die & Tooling experts who share key insights and experience focusing on die tooling issues. This immersive course covers die correction, die manufacture, extrusion operation, and related skills. Register your next-generation die team for this must-attend event!
There's Still Time to Become an ET '24 Exhibitor
ET '24 expo space is almost 85% sold out with over 80 companies confirmed to participate. If you plan to exhibit, we urge you to Act Now!
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with decision makers in the aluminum extrusion industry who are looking for equipment, services and answers to questions at ET '24 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida, April 30 - May 2, 2024. Sign up Today!
Reserving your booth space is easy! Visit our online interactive floor plan and select a space that best suits your needs. To reserve your space at ET Expo, go to ET24.us and choose "Exhibit at ET Expo" or click here. Contact ET Expo Manager Suzanne Spohr at sspohr@tso.net or 847.416.7216 if you have questions.
ET '24 Sponsorship Opportunities
Several ET '24 sponsorships are still available for the Thirteenth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar and Exposition. Both ET Expo exhibitors and non-exhibitors can sponsor an event, meal, breaks and much more. And, for exhibitors, a special sponsorship is available for the ET Logo Puzzle, which is returning to drive traffic to your booth!
Review the ET '24 Sponsorship Opportunities brochure for complete details or visit ET24.us and choose Sponsorship Opportunities. Questions regarding sponsorships should be directed to ET Expo Manager Suzanne Spohr at sspohr@tso.net or 847.416.7216.
When attending ET '24, be sure to explore the Extrusion Showcase, just outside the entrance to ET EXPO in the Gatlin Foyer. Extrusion Showcase spotlights the most innovative aluminum extrusion designs and applications in B&C, aerospace, transportation, infrastructure, consumer products, and more. The Showcase also features Winning entries from the ET Foundation's 2023 & 2024 Student and 2024 Professional Design Competitions, sponsored by AEC Members MI Metals, Inc., Almag Aluminum, and Pennex Aluminum Company LLC.
The ETF 2024 Design Competition Call for Entries is ongoing, with a February 23, 2024 entry deadline. Winning Design Competition entries featured in the ET Extrusion Showcase is a long-standing tradition. The competition highlights the "Best of the Best" in aluminum extrusion design innovation for the next generation of designers and engineers who are currently students, and for professionals whose extrusion designs and components are already making a difference in real-world applications.
We can't wait to show you the best and brightest extrusion designs of today and tomorrow in the Extrusion Showcase! Stop by and prepare to be inspired!
Extrusions are in the Headlights in the ET '24 Automotive Spotlight
Visit the ET '24 Automotive Spotlight just outside of the ET Expo to learn more about technology advances in vehicle extrusions. The automotive spotlight portion of Extrusion Showcase highlights the best aluminum extrusion design offerings for the automotive industry in the age of electric vehicles. Extrusions in a wide range of electric and ICE vehicle applications will be on display!
Be sure to attend the multitude of ET Technical sessions relating to automotive vehicle design:
BP461 - Comparison of Crash Performance of 6060, 6063 and 6082 Extruded Aluminum Alloys for Automotive Applications;
BP479 - New Alloy Development for Multiport Aluminum Tubes for Automotive Condenser and Evaporator Application;
EI354 - Aluminum Extrusions are Inherent to Great Vehicle Design;
EI358 - Use of Calibration to Meet Tight Tolerances in High-Strength and Ductile Automotive Profiles;
EI387 - FSW Panels and Extrusions in Module Applications for Maritime Segments - Application to Future Automotive Fabrication;
EI451 - Effect of Microstructure on Bending Performance of 6xxx-Series Extrusions;
EP311 - The Journey to Supply Automotive Grade Extrusions: Challenges and Solutions;
EP318 - Quench Sensitivity of Automotive Extrusion Alloys;
EP480 - Improved Weld Strength in Porthole Extrusion for Pressure-Critical Application in the Automotive Industry;
RD329 - Factors Affecting 3-D Deformation Behavior of Automotive Extrusions;
RD474 - Overview of Methods to Evaluate Extruded Profile Ductility as It Relates to Automotive Profiles;
RD475 - Industrial Implementation of Simulation-Based Tool Design to Ensure High-Quality Seam Welds in 6082 Automotive Profiles;
SM366 - The Business Case for Lightweighting in Battery Electric Vehicles;
SM476 - Enhanced Decision Support Tools Applied at Automotive Extruder.
Not sure ET is for you? Be sure to catch the AEC Shapemakers Podcast: How One Automotive Engineer Discovered the Value of ET