Aluminium tooling plate is a highly useful material for many construction projects, particularly due to its stability, easy machinability and high strength-to-weight ratio.
When it comes to choosing the best aluminium tooling plate for the job, there are a few factors to consider in making sure you find the most suitable option.
Here, we'll discuss the different styles of aluminium tooling plate available, giving you a better idea of which to choose for your next project.
Although somewhat similar in appearance, aluminium plate and aluminium tooling plate are different aluminium products. Aluminium plate is made through rolling, while tooling plate undergoes other specialised treatments for enhanced flatness and dimensional stability.
Tooling plate provides particularly good stability when machined, even if it is being machined across large areas. Amongst other things, it is ideal for moulds and casts. One other factor that sets aluminium tooling plate apart is that both surfaces are protected with a layer of PVC, preventing damage during cutting and transportation.
Aluminium tooling plate is available in a range of alloys and thicknesses, these are two of the most important things to be aware of when choosing the right aluminium tooling plate for the job in hand.
There are various grades available when it comes to aluminium tooling plate. These are represented in 'series' and represented by numbers (e.g., alloy is part of the series). Each series is mixed with a different alloy.
Here are the characteristics of some of the most popular alloy series:
Aluminium in the series is alloyed with magnesium. This makes it highly corrosion resistant, even when exposed to saltwater.
series alloys are commonly used in the construction of transportation vehicles, such as automotive parts, truck bodies, and trailers. They are also utilised in architectural applications, consumer electronics, and general sheet metal work where corrosion resistance is required.
One important thing to know about series alloys is that they are not heat treatable. Heat treatability refers to the ability of an alloy to be strengthened through heat treatment processes such as solution heat treatment and ageing.
This is the alloy series that we stock for our aluminium tooling plate at Click Metal.
The series alloys are primarily composed of aluminium with additional elements, such as magnesium and silicon.
These alloys don't have as much corrosion resistance as series alloys but they offer a good balance of strength and formability, making them versatile for various applications. Some alloys in this series are heat treatable.
Alloys in the series are often used in structural components, the automobile industry and the aerospace industry.
The series alloys are primarily composed of aluminium with zinc as the primary alloying element. Copper is often added as a secondary alloying element to further enhance the strength and other properties.
series alloys are known for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. They exhibit high strength, which is comparable to many steels. The strength of these alloys can be further enhanced through heat treatment processes.
The series aluminium alloys find application in various industries where high strength, durability, and lightweight properties are required. They are commonly used in the aerospace industry, sporting goods manufacturing and high-stress applications like high-performance automobiles, marine structures, and defence equipment.
Find out more by reading our Guide to Aluminium Grades.
Aluminium tooling plate is available in a range of thicknesses. At Click Metal, we offer thicknesses ranging from 5 – 150 mm.
The decision to choose thicker or thinner aluminium tooling plate depends on various factors. Thicker plate options provide greater strength and load-bearing capacity, making them suitable for applications requiring structural integrity and the ability to withstand heavy loads.
Thicker plates also offer better stability during machining and fabrication processes. However, they are heavier and more expensive.
On the other hand, thinner plate options offer weight savings, making them advantageous for applications where weight is a critical consideration, such as in aerospace or automotive industries. Thinner plates are also more cost-effective.
Additionally, the thermal conductivity and heat dissipation properties of thicker plates may be beneficial for applications involving heat transfer.
When buying aluminium tooling plate you can also choose from a range of surface finishes and treatments to achieve different aesthetic or structural benefits. Some of the most popular include:
A painted finish on aluminium involves the application of a coating of paint or liquid finish to the surface of the aluminium. This finish provides both an aesthetic appearance and protection against corrosion, weathering, and wear. The paint can be applied in various colours and finishes to achieve the desired look and performance.
A powder coated finish on aluminium involves applying a dry powder coating to the surface, which is then cured under heat to form a durable and decorative finish. This finish offers a wide range of colours, textures, and finishes, providing both aesthetic appeal and enhanced protection against corrosion, UV rays, and abrasion.
An anodised finish is created through an electrochemical process that forms a protective oxide layer on the surface. This finish enhances corrosion resistance, improves surface hardness, and can provide a decorative appearance. Anodising can be performed in various colours, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits to the aluminium surface.
We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of aluminium tooling plate to help you feel more informed when planning your next project.
Our aluminium tooling plate is available cut to size, based on the specifications of your project, with all orders despatched within 3 – 5 working days.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Shanghai Gulier.
If you’re thinking about buying a metal building, here is what you should know first.
Yes, metal building prices are lower than wood. The exact price difference depends on the current cost of steel versus lumber. You can generally expect the shell of a wood building to cost about twice as much as a metal building.
Metal buildings are cheaper than buildings made out of wood or other materials. But that doesn’t mean they are of poor quality.
We did our own study to find out if repo storage buildings were cheaper than new storage buildings. We found that the average discount on a used building was only 12%, and that the used buildings we found were on average 42% more expensive than the new buildings we sell.
Metal buildings are usually a good investment because of their low cost to build, their long lifespan, and their low cost of maintenance. Adding a metal garage or shop to your home will usually increase the value of your property more than the amount you pay for the building.
Prefab metal buildings cost anywhere between $8 and $30 per square foot. This includes the price of delivery and installation, but not the cost of permits, site preparation, and a concrete foundation. The total cost will usually fall between $14 to $45 per square foot.
A concrete foundation will usually cost at least $8 per square foot. In some areas the price will be lower, but usually it will be higher. The biggest factor is the local cost of labor. If you pour your own foundation, you only need to pay for the cost of the concrete and any tools and supplies that you need.
Some manufacturers offer financing for metal buildings. Some lenders like New Century Bank and Acorn Finance specialize in financing metal buildings. A metal garage can be financed with a second mortgage, a cash-out refinance, or a home equity line of credit.
Steel and aluminum are both used for prefabricated metal buildings. Aluminum is softer and is more likely to scratch and dent. Steel is stronger and more durable, so it is more commonly used to construct metal buildings.
Steel is stronger and more durable than aluminum, so it is a better material than aluminum for metal buildings. Large metal buildings are often made out of red iron I-beams. Red iron is actually steel that is coated with iron oxide. Smaller buildings are typically made with galvanized steel framing and panels.
Pre-engineered metal buildings are buildings that are designed and manufactured in a factory, and then transported and installed at the building site. Pre-engineered metal buildings are more cost effective than buildings constructed on-site because there is almost no material or labor wasted in the construction process.
Alan’s Factory Outlet sells metal buildings and metal garages in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
Most steel building will last at least 50 years, with minimal maintenance. With regular annual inspection and care, metal buildings can last more than 100 years. Metal builds can withstand many extreme weather conditions without incurring any damage.
Those who want the highest quality metal building should select the following features:
Metal buildings can be designed and built to withstand hurricane-force winds. The strongest hurricanes are class 5 hurricanes, with sustained winds that are at least 157 mph. You can get a metal building with a certification for winds up to 170 mph, which can survive most hurricanes.
About 1% of tornadoes are violent EF4 or EF5 tornadoes, with wind speeds above 207 mph, sometimes reaching speeds above 300 mph. Very few buildings will survive a direct hit from these violent storms. Metal buildings can be certified for 170 mph winds. These buildings are safe in most tornadoes.
Metal buildings can be grounded with metal rods driven into the ground that are bonded to the metal frame of the building. If lightning strikes the building, the electricity simply passes through the metal framing and into the ground.
A properly grounded metal building is safe during a lighting storm, provided no one is touching the metal frame, metal siding, or any conductive material that is attached to the metal shell of the building. Like any building, nearby lightning strikes may disrupt electrical systems that are not equipped with surge protectors.
Note: Buildings sold by Alan’s Factory Outlet are not designed or intended to be used as homes.
Metal buildings can be safe to live in. However, they should be designed and built as a home and properly insulated. Metal buildings that are designed as garages are not air-tight, and are not designed for use as a home.
Laws vary widely between locations. The fastest way to find the laws in your area is to call the zoning planning department for the city or county that you live in.
Yes. A metal building may be used as a house if it is constructed to local codes for residential structures. Barndominiums are metal homes that have been gaining in popularity in recent years.
Metal buildings can be disassembled and moved more easily than most other types of buildings. However, moving a metal building is still a complex operation. Obviously, the foundation of the building cannot be moved. A new foundation will need to be poured before moving the metal building.
The metal buildings we sell have the colors baked on. These colors last a long time and do not easily fade. If you want to paint your metal building a different color, you can use a metal specific paint, or paint the building with a metal primer before using an exterior paint.
Yes. There are several ways to insulate a metal building:
At Alan’s Factory Outlet we offer double bubble and woven R-17 insulation.
Insulation is optional, but offers several benefits:
Metal buildings are insulated by attaching insulation to the inner walls and ceiling of the building.
Check out our Metal Garage Buyer’s Guide if you’re shopping for a metal garage.
For more information, please visit Space Aluminum Panel.