Aluminum profile mold customization is to make extrusion molds based on customer-specific cross-sections and produce non-standard aluminum profiles. The entire set is divided into five stages: demand review, mold making, mold trial confirmation, mass production, and post-processing shipment.
1. Requirements submission and technical feasibility review
The customer provides CAD drawings, physical samples or cross-sectional sketches, and also clarifies: aluminum alloy grade (commonly used are 6063-T5, 6061-T6), wall thickness, dimensional tolerance, surface treatment method, estimated purchase quantity, and usage conditions.
Factory extrusion engineers evaluate the cross-section processability: check for risks of extrusion defects such as too long cantilevers, large wall thickness differences, sharp corners, and too thin wall thickness, and provide drawing optimization suggestions.
Complete the quotation: mold fee, profile unit price, machining, surface treatment fee, and simultaneously confirm the minimum order quantity, mold ownership, mold fee reimbursement upon delivery, and other business terms.
Time: 1‑2 working days
2. Drawing finalization, mold processing
After both parties confirm the final cross-sectional drawings, the factory begins mold design, using H13 hot work mold steel, which undergoes rough machining, heat treatment, finishing, and polishing to produce extrusion dies.
Simple solid profile: 7‑10 days
Hollow, multi-cavity complex profiles: 10‑15 days
3. On-machine mold testing and mold repair
The mold is put on the machine, the aluminum rod is heated and extruded with the mold to produce a sample.
Quality inspection checks profile size, wall thickness, straightness, twist, surface, and hardness.
Minor size and appearance problems: The factory repairs the mold for free and then tries the mold again; complex profiles generally require 1-2 mold repairs, which is normal in the industry;
If the customer wants to change the cross-sectional shape, the mold needs to be re-opened and new mold costs incurred.
Single mold trial cycle: 1-3 days
4. Customer sample confirmation
Send the bare aluminum sample or the finished product sample after oxidation/powder spraying to the customer for verification.
The customer confirms the signature of the sample. As a mass production standard, mass production will not be arranged without sample confirmation.
5. Batch extrusion production
The aluminum rod is heated and extruded → drawn and cooled → straightened and straightened → aging heat treatment to ensure that the hardness and straightness of the profile meet the standards.
6. Secondary machining + surface treatment
Perform sawing to length, CNC drilling, tapping, milling and other machining as needed;
Then do anodizing, powder coating, electrophoresis, polishing and other surface treatments.
7. Finished product inspection, packaging and delivery
Check appearance and dimensional tolerances, and package and ship after passing the test.
Overall delivery time reference
Simple solid section: 12‑20 days
Hollow/special-shaped complex sections: 20-35 days (allow time for mold repair)
Key takeaways
1. The extrusion mold is a consumable part and has a service life. If it is worn, the mold can be repaired. If it is completely damaged, you will need to pay to re-open the mold;
2. There is a minimum extrusion order quantity for mold opening. It is not recommended to open a new mold for small orders. Priority is given to using existing profiles for machining;
3. The property rights of the mold generally belong to the customer who pays the mold fee.
