Fabricator May 11 - profinder.eu

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ALUMINIUM – THE COLUMN Keeping on course In little over a month, I will see in my first decade with CAB. There have been a great number of changes within our sector during this time with even my beloved Derby County managing a record of one promotion to the Premier League and two relegations from it. The aluminium in building sector has had a similar rollercoaster ride, with huge increases and (now) decreases in public expenditure being a key factor in recent years. But is CAB, our sector trade body, on course for a positive future? In my years with Plumb Center, Wolseley, Metalbox and RTZ Iquickly learned that if you are not trying something new each year your brand is standing still or, worse, stagnating. As far as CAB is concerned, in the last two years our developments have included increasing our technical capabilities through additional staffing and developing new networking and education opportunities through our mini-conferences and breakfast network events. For CAB, the current climate presents our supply chain with some tough challenges. Meeting fabricators across the country in recent weeks, it is clear that geographic divides for our sector seem to be appearing – one summed it up as the City of London, the South East and the rest of the UK. Some admit they are thriving on the sad demise of others but even they acknowledge just how tight margins are becoming and the critical nature of cash flow considerations when deciding whether to tender or not. The climate dictates that CAB and its fellow trade bodies have to show how they can continue to deliver value and align their work with the needs of their members. Luke Johnson of Risk Capital Partners says, in his recent column in the Financial Times in praise of Trade Associations: “They promote and share best practice, act as a forum for debate, provide education for novices, work as lobbyists and champions for the trade. Frequently they sponsor the main exhibitions. Some provide members with technical advice.” This is very much our mission at CAB, much of it communicated by myself and Patrick England through this column. Johnson adds finally that: “The finest trade associations cultivate a spirit of fellowship among members.” CAB’s diverse events programme aspires to enable members and guests to share both challenges and achievements. However it is the near 10% increase in 2011 membership to date and the exceptional attendances and engagement of members which indicate we are on course for future success, but like the Rams must continually strive to improve. ❐ 18 Justin Ratcliffe Justin Ratcliffe Squaring the corner This month I look at the strengths and weaknesses of the first of the corner jointing methods identified last month. Crimping employs ‘L’ shaped cleats, usually cut from extruded profiles, which fit into one or more of the box sections which make up the frame or vent profile. The fit of the cleats into these box sections has to be quite tight as this will be a factor in preventing the corner joints twisting out of line and the completed frames racking. The cleats typically have a profiled recess on the outer face into which an area of the outer web of the box section is pressed. A predetermined width of the outer web of the profile box is pressed, and in some cases sheared at the contact end, into the cleat recess. This process is carried out for each corner, with both profiles positioned on the corner cleat and with the crimping tools aligned symmetrically in order to achieve a tight and true 90 o joint. The design of the profile of the recesses in the cleat provides a ramp which pulls the profiles together at the mitre as the frame web is forced into it. To achieve a waterresistant joint it is usual to apply a small joint sealant. The problems with this design are that there are many variables which can result in a poor joint. For example If the ends of the profiles are not cut to a true 45 o then the resulting joint will not be 90 o . Using a worn or blunt cutter will result in the edges of the cut ragging which will be detrimental to the appearance of the joint. The sharpness and alignment of the crimping tools are also critical in achieving a tight joint as are the tolerances on the cleat and the profiles. These will also have a bearing on the tightness of the fit of the cleat. If the cleat is not a tight fit in the profiles box section then the profile can twist on the cleat opening the joint up. This is a particular problem where the box section is disposed towards one side of the profile. This effect is reduced with profiles which have two box sections, one towards the outer edge of the profile and the other towards the inner edge of the profile. ❐ Patrick England Patrick England For more details on CAB or for an invitation to one of our breakfast network meetings please contact us on 01453 828851 email me at justin.ratcliffe@c-ab.org.uk. You can also find me at http://uk.linkedin.com/in/justinratcliffe www.c-a-b.org.uk The Fabricator 2011
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