Integrated production service

2 - Die factory

An Autonomous die factory, where most of the dies that are used in the extrusion process are produced. It is equipped with milling and lathe machines, CNC, wire and electrode erosion machines.

We have specialized technicians, in constant training, to program and operate the most varied equipment.

The quality of the dies is ensured by the manufacturing and maintenance process, and the profiles are checked in each extrusion. The useful life of the dies is controlled through their performance and the appreciation of the real weight of the extruded profile in each extrusion.

The increasing complexity of products makes die manufacturing an increasingly important step in our entire production process.

3 - Extrusion

We currently have two extrusion lines (17MN and 20MN) with an annual extrusion capacity of approximately 13,000 tons (depending on productivity and type of profiles). The profiles are extruded in 6xxx series alloys: 6060, 6063, 6061 and 6082, in accordance with the EN 573-3 standard, being supplied to customers in the Metallurgical States requested in accordance with the EN 755-2 standard.

The 1700 ton press (Schloemann) was installed in 1974, the hydraulic and electrical systems were modernized in 2002 and the line was renovated in 2005/2006. In 2013 a new cylinder head was introduced and in 2016 a new master cylinder. The press is composed of a pre-line with billet separator and brushing, oven, cooling tunnel at the exit of the press; two pullers and in-flight cutting saw; automatic stacker; OMAV nitrogen atmosphere multi-drawer die oven; and automatic transport of containers for material storage.

The 2000 ton press (Schloemann), installed in 1983, had a pre-line renovation in 2010 and the output table was entirely renovated in 2014.

Production:

• 2022: 10.420 (+251 ton subcontracted)
• 2021: 11.569 (+260 ton subcontracted)
• 2020: 10.356 ton (+145 ton subcontracted)
• 2019: 11.125 ton (+341 ton subcontracted)
• 2018: 11.207 ton (+430 ton subcontracted)
• 2017: 11.333 ton (+111 ton subcontracted)
• 2016 Production: 9,283 ton.

Extrusion Laboratory

Dedicated to the R&D of extrusion profiles and their production control.

This laboratory has specialized technicians and various equipment that allow the following tests to be carried out:

Tensile tests;

Brinell hardness tests;

Webster hardness measurements;

Roughness tests.

4 - Machining

We have a machining section equipped with saws, presses, CNC milling machines, balancers, a bending machine and various dedicated equipments (tailor-made for various industrial projects). It is thus possible to carry out cutting operations (30 mm to 6000 mm), drilling, turning, CNC milling, bending and tearing.

Quality control is carried out at the various stages of the process. Usually, machining is developed before surface treatment; however, and according to the specifics of each part, the type of machining to be carried out and the type of surface treatment desired, the machining process can be carried out a posteriori.

Our machining process complies with the NP EN ISO 9001 standard.

5 - Thermal break

We were the 1st company in Portugal to produce systems for architecture with thermal break, using a production line that was renovated in 2012.

6 - Surface treatment

6.1 Anodizing

Anodizing is an electrolytic process that forms an oxide of determined thickness on the aluminum alloy. In terms of surface decoration of aluminum profiles, two sub-treatments are commonly used:

• The polished (result of a mechanical treatment);
• The satin (result of a chemical treatment).

This process offers the profiles not only the natural color of aluminum, but also a range of colors achieved with electrolytic coloring, ranging from champagne to black, including bronze.

For architectural aluminum profiles, the conditions for carrying out and quality of this treatment are established in directives and norms that the products must respect. In this context, there is the Qualanod body in Europe, which manages the quality label of the same designation and certifies producers (with the participation of national inspection bodies - in the Portuguese case, the LNEC) and they can present, for the recognition of their quality, this brand.

We hold Qualanod certification (nº 1405) since 1983, it ensures compliance with Qualanod directives and compliance with the standards: NP 1482, NP 1480, NP 2908 and NP 2907.

Annual capacity: over 800,000 m2 (depending on productivity and type of profiles).

6.2 Powder coating

Thermo-adherent painting process, carried out with polyester powder paints, through which the aluminum profiles can acquire different colors depending on the powder paint used.

There is, to regulate this surface treatment, the European entity Qualicoat, which manages the brand with the same designation and corresponding directives, and which also certifies producers (with the intervention of national inspection bodies - in the Portuguese case the LNEC), which may present, for recognition of its quality, this brand.

We have held this certificate since 1995 (nº 808), which ensures compliance with Qualicoat directives and compliance with ISO 2813, NP EN ISO 1520, NP EN ISO 2409, NP EN ISO 2815, NP EN ISO 1519 and NP 2360 standards.

The powder coating line was installed in 1994.

The main components are:

• A horizontal automatic line with a capacity of over 1,000,000 m2/year (depending on productivity and type of profiles);
• Chromium-free pre-treatment;
• Two paint booths (GEMA);
• A polymerization oven;
• A “wood-like” decoration line, for profiles and sheets;
• Seaside Pre-Treatment.

Surface treatment laboratory

This laboratory performs the quality control of processes and products. Qualified technicians are responsible for all tests required to obtain Qualanod (1983), Qualicoat (1995) and Seaside certifications.

7 - Maintenance In-House

This department has qualified human resources and equipment, capable of performing preventive and curative maintenance (mechanical, electrical and electronic) on all our equipment.

Together with the engineering department, they have the ability to develop some dedicated mechanical equipment.

Environmental issues are managed by this department: industrial wastewater treatment plants, chimneys, solid waste, spill-proof containers, energy, etc.

8 - Packing and shipping

We accompany our aluminum billet delivery to the customer. We have a packaging and logistics department dedicated to carefully packaging the aluminum profiles / parts at the end of the production process chain in order to guarantee a correct delivery of the material, through our fleet or by subcontracted services.