[Walky]

Does anyone know a good aluminum extrusion supplier that ships internationally?, I need 30 series extrusion, mostly 30x60 (6 slots) and 60x60 (8 slots). I haven't been able to find a decent local supplier so buying internationally is pretty much my best bet right now. Most likely any brand will do.

I was very excited by Misumi extrusions, so I made an account, but found that international shipping costs are calculated after packaging. Too risky, so no Misumi for me it seems.

I once got Bosch Rexroth extrusions from KJN but they stopped answering my emails after I asked if they could refund the extra storage fee I was charged by customs because the invoice they sent with the package was incomplete (half of it was blank). Maybe they consider me a "trouble" customer now?, who knows, but it's sad that both of us lose with this, as I was planning to buy extrusion from them for all of my builds (main job), and part of my business plan is pretty much stuck while I look for another distributor, and my machine designs pretty much useless without the extrusion...

[arhctysv]

No sure but you can try Penn Aluminum
in Murphysboro, Ill
North American custom aluminum extruders. Drawn tubing specialists, products.

[drmbx33]

Minitec is another global aluminium profile manufacturer. But they have similar sizes than Bosch and different than 8020 I reckon.

[harryn]

I assume you mean the Al profile extrusions commonly referred to as 8020 ? There are a number of firms that make those profiles. Shipping costs are tricky to get, I know from personal experience that it isn't that easy to be sure. The lowest shipping cost will come from buying a full container shipment, even if it is partially loaded.

The containers that arrive in the west coast commonly have items from many suppliers. First the big item, then smaller items packed around it. Then shirts, etc. packed in to fill the gaps. Pretty efficient packing, and I suppose many are attempts to make shirts look like packing to the custom's guys. Not nice, but it happens.

I guess if your volume is high enough, you could have your own extrusion done. If there is an Al extruder in Chile that has an extruder capable of 6 inch circle (about 150mm) then they could probably make it for you right there.

All you need are some samples and they can give you a quote. In the US, the die would be around $ 2 000 per profile (up front cost) plus roughly 1.2 X the price of Al (by weight) Extruders that size likely have a 1 ton minimum batch size.

I have to believe that there are Al extruders closer than such a long shipment.

[Walky]

Thanks guys for your help, I recently managed to contact a (Bosch Rexroth) local distributor with decent prices, and will get my stuff from them.

By the way, thanks for the info on containers and Al extrusion, that's pretty interesting. I remember the Makerslide was custom made with the same process, there's a lot of potential for CNC-oriented extrusions and motion control in general. I'd love to see some heavy-duty aluminum "one piece gantry" extrusion in the future, ready to mount rails and rack (there's a good idea for Kickstarter!).

[xkadet]

I agree with drmbx33 on this one. I've worked with Minitec Framing for 15 years and swear by it. It is not the cheapest out there but you definately have the best material money can buy. Their extrusions have the tightest tolerance requirements of any of the typical aluminum extrusion mfgrs, including Bosch. IMHO, they blow away 80/20 in precision, accuracy, rigidity, and finish. Their materials and accessories are beyond anything else I've seen. Great stuff and I still use it in my consulting/design business. Andy Moles is the president and key contact there and he will help you in any way possible. Also they have 90 x 90 extrusions that I wouldn't hesitate to use as my gantry for any medium duty gantry mill (like the one I built). Anything more robust than that would work well with their 180x90mm or 135x45 elements. They also have awesome chrome steel rails systems rails that will snap into their profiles. If you need it one their website you'll also fine some great slotted table materials. However, they don't have any 30x60 elements, just 60x60 and 45 x 60. Too bad.... (MiniTec T-Slotted Aluminum Extrusions. Modular Aluminum Profiles For Custom Construction From Aluminum Extrusions. Custom Clean Rooms, Ergonomic Workstations, Belt Conveyors, and Machine Guards Are But A Few Applications.). Use 'em my self. Great stuff. No, I don't work for them.... Just a really big fan!

[getecindustrial]

Hi - looks like you found a supplier, but in case you need any further help, Getec Industrial provides a full line of turnkey extruded aluminum services.