Magnode Solves Design Issues (June 15, 2004)

Aluminum Extrusion Designs Win Two Awards

SITUATION - In developing new products for the marketplace, companies often need superior aluminum extrusion manufacturers to come up with the unique design solutions to make their products successful. Federal Signal Corporation and Ecofan Airplus both faced that situation in 2002.

Federal Signal Corporation set out to develop a two-part light bar assembly, consisting of a light bar and a computer console, for the roof systems of emergency vehicles used in law enforcement. Ecofan Airplus needed two aluminum extrusion pieces for a unique residential fan that could be placed on a wood-burning stove to better circulate warm air into a room through convection and radiation heat transfer.

SOLUTION - Both companies approached Magnode Corporation of Trenton, Ohio, a fully integrated supplier of aluminum extrusions, committed to unique, economical and timely design manufacturing. Magnode specializes in designing and manufacturing extraordinary, complex and intricate extrusion parts regardless of size, weight or tolerance requisites.

Capable of manufacturing intricate components with tolerances often exceeding standards by as much as 50 percent, Magnode took on both tasks. Federal Signal Corporation needed aluminum extrusions instead of steel stampings for their light bar in order to improve product corrosion resistance, tensile and yield strength, while accommodating a reduced number of components and greater design flexibility and improved functionality.

Ecofan Airplus required aluminum extrusions that could provide efficient heat transfer capabilities. And because this was a very visible in-home product, it had to be an aesthetically pleasing consumer product, as well as one that was safe and did not overheat.

RESULTS - Federal Signal's light bar assembly developed by Dick Hinkle and Mark Butterfield of Magnode Corporation won the grand prize of $5,000 in the 2nd International Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition in 2002. This event was jointly sponsored by the Aluminum Extruders Council and the Extrusion Technology for Aluminum Profiles Foundation.

This grand prize award crossed all five categories and two classifications of the awards competition, with each design having to use of one or more extruded aluminum components. The competition was established to promote creativity and innovation by showcasing the advantages of aluminum extrusion designs.

Also, the two-piece extrusion fan assembly developed for Ecofan Airplus won the residential category competition winner of $2,000. The assembly was submitted by Dean Allen of Caframo Ltd.

For additional information on the role aluminum extrusions play in manufacturing electronic products to automobile parts, contact:

Magnode Corporation
400 East State Street
Trenton, Ohio 45067
Phone: 513.988.6351
Fax: 513.988.6357
E-mail: sales@magnode.com