How to Eliminate Visible Lines in Aluminum Frame Corners?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to eliminate or minimize visible lines at the mating regions of aluminum profiles in frame construction, particularly in mass production contexts. Participants explore aesthetic concerns, potential solutions, and the challenges associated with achieving a seamless appearance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests welding the joint and grinding it down as a method to hide the joint, questioning whether the visibility of the joint is a significant issue.
  • Another participant mentions that designing corners at 45 degrees can make the joint appear more integrated into the design, even if it remains visible.
  • A participant expresses that the visibility of the joint is problematic due to user interaction, which creates a noticeable level difference between the surfaces.
  • Concerns are raised about the difficulty of grinding all edges after assembly, indicating a challenge in achieving a smooth finish.
  • One participant emphasizes that the aesthetic aspect is crucial, suggesting a need for the surfaces to be coplanar.
  • Another participant points out the importance of checking tolerance stackup if the two parts have different heights.
  • A suggestion is made to highlight rather than hide the joint by altering its appearance, such as chamfering or adding decorative features to make it look intentional.
  • One participant proposes using aircraft adhesive glue as a potential solution for securing the joints, referencing a personal experience with its effectiveness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on how to address the visibility of joints, with no consensus on a single solution. Some focus on aesthetic considerations while others emphasize structural integrity and user experience.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention challenges related to grinding and tolerances, indicating that these factors may affect the feasibility of proposed solutions. The discussion does not resolve the technical or aesthetic challenges presented.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals involved in manufacturing, design, or engineering of aluminum frames, particularly in contexts where aesthetics and user interaction are critical.

yanikomer
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I am trying build a frame in mass production with the aluminum profiles but always have the problem at the mating region of the profiles. As you see in the picture, there is always a line at the mating region of the profiles.

Is there anyone who can help me about this problem? Do you know any process to get rid of it or any other solutions about hiding this line?

Many Thanks...

yanikomer
 

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The only way to hide the joint would be to weld it solid and then grind it down, or cover it with another part. Is being able to see the joint really a problem?
 
I used to work with light extruded light fittings and we made all the corners 45degrees so even though you can see it, it looks like part of the design.
 
Thank you for your answers Mech_Engineer and Unrest.

This is a problem, because users touch this place of the product and feel a level-difference between the surfaces of the profiles. this is the real problem.

The profiles are produced as grinded and the process about grinding all edges of the frame after assembly is a real challange.

45 degree has also same problem while the user touches this place.

Stilll waiting for magic solutions.

Many Thanks...
 
The only way you can make it "perfectly" smoth is to weld the joint and grind it flat. Is the concern purely asthetic, or are you trying to make sure the edge isn't sharp?
 
The concern is purely asthetic and the view of this section of the frame must be perfect.
Maybe we can find a solution to make the two difference surface coplaner.
 
If the two parts are coming up with slightly different heights, you should take a look at your tolerance stackup between the two parts.
 
do you know any way to make the difference between profile levels compensated ?
 
If I have a feature I don't want to stand out like that, rather than try to hide it, it's often easier to highlight it. In other words, don't try to hide it, try and change it so it looks ornamental. In this case for example, rather than try and eliminate the joint, accentuate it by tapering the end that butts up against the side. You could simply chamfer the end, leaving a triangular depression along that face, or put a groove there. You could also cut the ends at 45 degrees and do the same thing. Or go even further and put brick like notches along the edge of one of the parts. Or scoop out a radius. Make it look like it's supposed to have an edge there instead of trying to hide it.
 
  • #10
GLUE IT

depending upon the load, check out air craft adhesive glue..our driver is an air craft mechanic of 30 years and he used some air craft glue for the aluminum floor pan and that stuck is almost impossible to separate..
check out 3M..and the web
 

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