Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Self locking aluminum extruded U channels

  1. #1
    anthony_annicchiarico
    Guest

    Self locking aluminum extruded U channels

    Hi,

    I am looking for some designs of self locking extrusion profiles.
    I might like to self lock 2 U channels made out of the same profile.
    Picture attached, this was the initial basic design without locking but for cost contraints self locking would make the trick. CAD problem so I did a quick sketch (dimensions are in millimetres)

    Thanks a lot for your kind help
    IMG_3246.JPG

  2. #2
    Technical Fellow Kelly_Bramble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Bold Springs, GA
    Posts
    2,611
    Lock or locate together? What material?
    Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

  3. #3
    Principle Engineer
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Posts
    217
    Why not use rectangular tubing?

  4. #4
    anthony_annicchiarico
    Guest
    @Hudson

    This is an enclosure which will contain a device which is higher than the profile. Some holes will be machined on top and bottom to let the pinion axis of the device go through. So it will case no tubing can make it.
    We tried with steel plates but the result is quite ugly unless we laser cut the plates but price is too high.

  5. #5
    Technical Fellow Kelly_Bramble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Bold Springs, GA
    Posts
    2,611
    Something kind of like this? Extrusions like symmetrical geometries to avoid distortions but something close could work.

    locking-channel.png
    Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

  6. #6
    anthony_annicchiarico
    Guest
    @Kelly Bramble

    Yes if in can be locked together by pressing on both U channel by hand by a lady (my subcontractor is having a majority of ladies), this could do. But am scared that this might require a big effort.

  7. #7
    Technical Fellow Kelly_Bramble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Bold Springs, GA
    Posts
    2,611
    Quote Originally Posted by anthony_annicchiarico View Post
    @Kelly Bramble

    Yes if in can be locked together by pressing on both U channel by hand by a lady (my subcontractor is having a majority of ladies), this could do. But am scared that this might require a big effort.
    Proper clearance and applicable tolerances and you're there - geometrically something similar will work as well. Match the manufacturing process capability to the clearance require for a ladies sliding fit and it's cheap as well.
    Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

  8. #8
    anthony_annicchiarico
    Guest
    @Kelly Bramble,

    Thanks a lot for your help.
    We are working out something based on your suggestion and a few docs we found on the net for plastic self locking actually it is called snap-lock or snap-fit. It should do for alu as well.

    Will try to post some pics when we will have the product in hands.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •