The Shapemakers by The Aluminum Extruders Council

The Shapemakers from the Aluminum Extruders Council is a podcast series that provides valuable information about timely and relevant aluminum extrusion topics. Whether it’s details about the tariffs on imports of aluminum profiles from China, how building and energy codes may affect aluminum extrusion products, or the industry’s efforts to attract and train the next generation of aluminum extrusion designers, engineers and employees, The Shapemakers podcast promises to enlighten and inspire all who listen. This show will appeal to all those interested in how market, economic and industry forces are shaping the aluminum extrusion world – whether you’re an AEC member, an aluminum industry professional or aluminum extrusion customer. This show has something for everyone interested in learning more about aluminum extrusions.

Mark Butterfield - President of Manufacturing, MX Holdings 07/16/2024

Environmental Tool - Extrusion & Decarbonization - Part 1 04/23/2024

ET'24 Preview with Rob Nelson of ALMAG Aluminum 04/17/2024

Process Analysis+Optimization - ET'24 In Conjunction Workshop 04/16/2024

Process Analysis+Optimization - ET'24 In Conjunction Workshop 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 extrusion dies, increase die life, and analyze final microstructure of extruded profiles. This course covers the following topics: Introduction to practical and analytical extrusion concepts Material flow and Friction in direct extrusion Die failure modes and die life prediction Seam welds, welding criteria and profile strength Charge welds and process performance Microstructure evolution and Streaks formation mechanisms. About Prof. Lorenzo Donati Lorenzo Donati is Associate Professor in Manufacturing Technologies in the “Department of Engineering for Industry” in the School of Engineering (Forlì Campus) of Alma Mater Studiorum -University of Bologna. He received the Ph. D. in the course on “Engineering of manufacturing systems, of metallurgy and applied measurements” of the Polytechnic University of Marche (Ancona, IT) with a dissertation on “Seam weld formation during aluminum extrusion: FEM simulation and experimental verification of the mechanical and aesthetical proprieties”. The research field concerns the analysis and optimization of forming processes with specific focus on the extrusion of light alloy: seam and charge welds quality, die life estimation, microstructure evolution during extrusion processing are some examples of the most relevant topics. He is organizer and head of ICEB, the "International Conference on Extrusion and Benchmark", which is held in Europe every two years since 2007. He coordinated and participated to several projects in the field of light alloys extrusion funded by International and National bodies as well as Companies. A full list of publications is available at http://www.unibo.it/docenti/l.donati /episode/index/show/aluminumextruderscouncil/id/30840708

Anodizing Essentials - ET'24 In Conjunction Workshop 04/15/2024

ET'24 Preview with Gary Jones 03/25/2024

Technical Sessions & Getting the most @ ET'24 with Bill Rogers 03/18/2024

Jerome Fourmann - Chairman of ET’24 03/10/2024

Jerome Fourmann - Chairman of ET’24 SHAPEMAKERS EPISODE 55 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 chairman, Jerome Fourmann. 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. About Jerome: Jerome Fourmann, Global Technical Director and Casthouse Optimization at Rio Tinto - Aluminum, has been with the group for 15 years. His main duty is to support the company’s core value-added products' technical sales, of which they are the market leader. Jerome is a passionate leader known for managing technical support activities in alloy selection, productivity enhancement, process improvement, training, troubleshooting, and industry standards development. Jerome drives growth through product development by identifying new market opportunities. Titles: Technical Marketing | Metals & Minerals | Product Metallurgy & Market Development | Chairman of ET’24 | Accountable for developing value through a deep technical understanding of Metals & Minerals and market applications. Connect with Jerome on Linkedin: About Rio Tinto - Finding Better Ways to Provide the Materials the World Needs: #FindingBetterWays We're finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Iron ore for steel. Low carbon aluminum for electric cars and smartphones. Copper for wind turbines, electric cars, and the pipes that bring water to our homes. Borates that help crops grow and titanium for paint. About The AEC: Follow AEC on for the latest updates and industry insights. Stay informed about the Aluminum Extruders Council by visiting and following us on Stay Tuned for More SHAPEMAKERS: Don't miss out on future episodes of SHAPEMAKERS where we continue to explore the stories, innovations, and trends shaping industries worldwide. Subscribe on , or your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey through the world of aluminum extrusion. Until next time, keep shaping the future! /episode/index/show/aluminumextruderscouncil/id/30288493

Brook Hamilton President of Bonnell Aluminum 02/12/2024

Brook Hamilton President of Bonnell Aluminum SHAPEMAKERS EPISODE 54 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 Brook Hamilton – President of Bonnell Aluminum. 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 committee’s and groups. W. BROOK HAMILTON PRESIDENT Prior leadership and industry experience (both within the organization and prior) Brook started in the aluminum extrusion industry in 1983 with Alcan Extrusions in Toronto, Ontario in an inside sales / customer service role. He subsequently held roles in outside sales, production control (scheduling), production, and plant management in different locations across Canada. Later he became the general manager of an independent extruder in southwestern Ontario prior to joining Bonnell Canada in 2005 to run their stand-alone fabrication facility, Apollo. In 2006 he moved to Georgia to become plant manager of the Newnan facility and later became Business Development Manager in the corporate office. In 2013 he became the president of Bonnell Aluminum. ABOUT BONNELL ALUMINUM OVER 65 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE BEYOND EXTRUSION For nearly seven decades, Bonnell Aluminum has pivoted, expanded, and connected our way to becoming an industry-wide innovator. Led by proprietary operations, like our fluid production processes, our tested and perfected procedures unlock the flexibility to meet the custom needs of any customer. Those same customers have seen our role as extruder expand into that of a partner, deploying tailormade capabilities that can seamlessly move projects all the way from design to assembly to delivery with effortless efficiency. The Bonnell Aluminum of today embodies who we set out to be, while building on what we’ve learned along the way. There is no shortage of companies offering extruded aluminum. But there’s only one that has proven Excellence Beyond Extrusion––Bonnell Aluminum. About The AEC: Follow AEC on for the latest updates and industry insights. Stay informed about the Aluminum Extruders Council by visiting and following us on Stay Tuned for More SHAPEMAKERS: Don't miss out on future episodes of SHAPEMAKERS where we continue to explore the stories, innovations, and trends shaping industries worldwide. Subscribe on , or your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey through the world of aluminum extrusion. Until next time, keep shaping the future! /episode/index/show/aluminumextruderscouncil/id/29933208