AEC Extrusion Kits: PSU Capstone Project Teams Interview
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
Release Date: 01/02/2024
Unlocking Opportunities at The Aluminum Summit - Atlanta
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
Summary In this conversation, Jason Weber and Mark Butterfield discuss the upcoming Aluminum Summit, highlighting its significance as a major event for the aluminum industry. They delve into the various workshops, networking opportunities, and keynote speakers that will be featured, emphasizing the importance of learning and collaboration within the industry. The discussion also touches on market trends, challenges, and the need for the next generation of professionals in the field. Takeaways The Aluminum Summit occurs every four years, with the next one in September. Networking opportunities...
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Investing in the Future: How the AEC is Tackling Workforce Development with Apprenticeship Programs
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
Episode Summary: In this episode of SHAPEMAKERS, host Bennett McEvoy, President of Western Extrusions and AEC Board Member, is joined by Duncan Crowdis, former CEO of Bonnell Aluminum and AEC Workforce Development lead. Together, they shine a light on the aluminum extrusion industry’s growing need for skilled talent—and what the Council is doing about it. With over 175 extrusion plants operating across 37 states, the industry supports more than 40,000 U.S. jobs. But as experienced workers retire and demand for aluminum products rises, attracting and training the...
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2024 Year in Review w/ Mark Butterfield
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
In this episode, Jason Weber and Mark Butterfield reflect on the AEC's 75th anniversary, discussing the organization's impact on the industry and the importance of adapting to change. They outline strategic planning for 2025, upcoming events, and the significance of training and development for members. The conversation also highlights the need for effective communication and member engagement, as well as the challenges posed by trade dynamics. Looking ahead, they emphasize the importance of collaboration and a unified voice within the industry. Takeaways 2024 was a significant year...
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Aluminum Extrusion: The circular economy - A Sustainable Future
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
In this episode of ShapeMakers, Lynn Brown and Rue Rogers discuss the intersection of aluminum extrusion and the circular economy. They explore how aluminum can be recycled effectively, the importance of maintaining materials in circulation, and the role of scrap in the industry. The conversation highlights the sustainability initiatives within the aluminum extrusion sector and the potential for increased recycling efforts. Takeaways The circular economy aims to keep materials in circulation indefinitely. Aluminum has a high recycling rate, with 75% still in use today. Recycling...
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Mark Butterfield - President of Manufacturing, MX Holdings
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
Welcome to Shape Makers, the podcast series from the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC). AEC represents over 75% of North America's aluminum extrusion production. In this series, we explore key issues affecting extruders, suppliers, and users of aluminum extruded products. Our guest speakers dive into topics like aluminum extrusion Fairtrade cases, industry efforts to attract and retain skilled workers, how extrusion products meet stricter building and energy codes, the increasing use of extrusions in vehicles, and much more. Join Jason Weber from the AEC as he chats with industry...
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Environmental Tool - Extrusion & Decarbonization - Part 1
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
Lynn Brown of the AEC and Shane Tredup of Custom Aluminum discuss decarbonization efforts in the extrusion industry, highlighting the growing demand from customers for information on carbon footprint, scope one, two, and three emissions, and decarbonization plans. Industry tool for aluminum extruders to track carbon emissions. ACC aims to create industry tool for extruders to track carbon footprint and reduce it by 20%. Tool to calculate carbon emissions for extruders, covering multiple products and methodologies. Discover the tool's capabilities, including...
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ET'24 Preview with Rob Nelson of ALMAG Aluminum
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
Welcome back to another riveting episode of SHAPEMAKERS, where we explore the fascinating world of shaping industries and innovations. In this special edition, Jason Weber, the VP of Operations and Government Affairs for the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), sits down with our distinguished guest Rob Nelson Executive Vice President at ALMAG Aluminum. ALMAG ALUMINUM ALMAG’s history began in 1953, when Edward Peacock founded ALMAG Aluminum and Magnesium Ltd. manufacturing decorative door grilles. ALMAG’s first aluminum extrusion press started production in 1959. Mr. Peacock...
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Process Analysis+Optimization - ET'24 In Conjunction Workshop
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
Jason Weber visits with Prof. Lorenzo Donati about the upcoming ET'24 In-Conjunction Workshop on Process Analysis & Optimization 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fee: $595 Instructors: Professors from the Manufacturing Technologies Group at the University of Bologna, Italy Learn how to optimize and analyze the aluminum extrusion process in this one-day intensive course from the experts at the Manufacturing Technologies Group at the University of Bologna in Italy. They have worked extensively with European extruders and die makers to optimize die design, improve welding phenomena in...
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Anodizing Essentials - ET'24 In Conjunction Workshop
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
George Oh & Judy Runge join Jason Weber of the AEC to discuss their upcoming Anodizing Essentials Workshop at this years ET'24 event in Orlando. For more details visit: AAC Anodizing Essentials Class 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fee: $495 AAC members / $895 nonmembers Instructors: AAC member anodizing experts Anodizing Essentials is part of the Aluminum Anodizers Council's (AAC) "School for Anodizers" that teaches more than the fundamentals of anodizing. This one-day class is designed to increase the knowledge and ability of anyone involved in operating an anodizing line....
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ET'24 Preview with Gary Jones
The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council
SHAPEMAKERS EPISODE 57 Welcome back to another riveting episode of SHAPEMAKERS, where we explore the fascinating world of shaping industries and innovations. In this special edition, Jason Weber, the VP of Operations and Government Affairs for the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), sits down with our distinguished guest ET'24 track chair, Gary Jones. Listen as they discuss the upcoming ET’24 Seminar, the 75th Anniversary of the AEC, and how to maximize your membership benefits by getting involved in AEC committees and groups. Also take a peak into which papers and tracks Bill is the...
info_outlineAEC Extrusion Kits: PSU Capstone Project Teams Interview
In 2023, AEC sponsored three capstone projects with the Pennsylvania State University engineering department. These projects are designed to develop aluminum extrusion kits for use by high school STEAM students, teachers and universities to support education in Science, Technology Engineering, the Arts and Math. Craig Werner, podcast host and AEC Workforce Development and Academic Engagement Team member), worked with Bonnell Aluminum, the supplier of the TSlots® extrusion components for the kits, Metal Exchange Corp./Pennex Aluminum, who hosted students at their Leetonia, Ohio extrusion facility, and Almag Aluminum, which has been part of this long-term development effort since inception.
Two projects were sponsored by AEC for the fall 2023 semester. Learn how well the concept connected with high school and university students and teachers, and how fun it was for all to use aluminum extrusions to support their education in this informative episode for AEC members, high school and university instructors, who may be interested in being a future “test site” for future extrusion kits.