Custom aluminium extrusions

Custom aluminium extrusion supplier

Mifa is a leading specialist in manufacturing high-tech custom aluminium extrusions. Our aluminium profiles are used in many different products for a wide variety of markets, such as:

  • Automotive
  • Machinery & Equipment
  • Electronics
  • Medical equipment
  • Aerospace

Although the requirements for each individual profile differ from market to market, every customer can expect the highest level of quality. We realise these special aluminium profiles by using precision extrusion. Custom aluminium profiles can (incidentally) also be produced in small orders.

How does Mifa produce a precision extrusion profile?

Let us briefly explain the extrusion process. First, the aluminium is heated in an oven until it is soft enough to be formed. Next, the hot aluminium is pressed into a die to obtain the final shape of the profile. The extruded aluminium is then cooled, drawn, hardened and cut to size.

Finally, various surface treatments are possible. At Mifa, we excel at producing customised extrusion profiles entirely according to the customer’s requirements

Why choose a custom aluminium profile from Mifa?

Mifa produces aluminium profiles in the most complex shapes and in various aluminium alloys. We distinguish ourselves through high precision and customisation.

We specialise in customised aluminium profile production, including CNC machining and assembly, combined with high-quality finishing techniques. With advanced and precise production techniques and state-of-the-art machinery, we can produce the best possible aluminium profile for each of our customers.

Our aluminium extrusions offer you several advantages.

 

 

Freedom of form in the design process

Firstly, our production process offers our customers a lot of design freedom. Designers can ignore almost all restrictions and standards: at Mifa, you can think in terms of possibilities instead of limitations. Here are some examples of extrusion profiles that Mifa can produce.

 

Great precision and a high level of detail

Secondly, Mifa excels in producing bespoke aluminium profiles with great precision and a high level of detail. Thanks to our state-of-the art machines we are able to produce thin-walled aluminium profiles with the most complex shapes and with a maximum dimensional tolerance of ±0.02 mm.

• Wall thicknesses from ±0.25 mm;
• Profile weight from 0.003 kg/metre tot 10 kg/metre;
• Profile dimensions from Ø 3 mm to Ø 180 mm / 220 x 60 mm.

Co-engineering leads to an optimal result

At Mifa, we have been working successfully with our customers for many years. Co-engineering is one of the most important aspects of Mifa. Of course, your own aluminium profile designs are welcome, but if you want to benefit from our experience and high level of expertise, we recommend involving our engineers at the very first stage.

We like to work closely with all our customers. We are an involved partner throughout the process and offer support in the design process and, for example, in choosing the right aluminium alloys.

The end result is a more efficient, high-quality and refined customised aluminium profile. In most cases, this profile can also be produced more cheaply. Moreover, our customers only have to deal with one partner. Mifa is truly a one-stop shop and has all the necessary techniques at its disposal. Precision extrusion, surface treatment and assembly are all done in-house at Mifa.

 

The benefits of co-engineering at Mifa

  • Benefit from our extensive knowledge and know-how;
  • Years of experience in various markets, from aerospace to medical, automotive and machinery;
  • High-quality and refined aluminium profiles;
  • Shorter delivery time;
  • Cost savings through efficient design;
  • Responsibility of one party;
  • One-stop shop: total extrusion and finishing of customised aluminium profiles under one roof.
Custom profiles for aerospace industry

Elevating aviation standards

Mifa focusses on crafting high-end profiles for the aerospace market. Our custom profiles are produced for renowned companies like Airbus and Collins Aerospace, offering a wide array of techniques that are tailored to their needs. Together with our aerospace partners, we design extrusion profiles and components for, among others:

  • Instrument panels;
  • Lighting systems;
  • Radar components;
  • Luggage compartments.

But we don’t just focus on functionality. We also prioritize stylish designs, ensuring our profiles are not only effective but also aesthetically pleasing.

More on the aerospace market

Economically advantageous

Mifa’s custom-made aluminium profiles are also economical. Our efficient aluminium extrusion process saves money compared to many other production techniques. Moreover, the cost of an extrusion die is relatively low. So our custom-made aluminium profiles save you time and money.

 

Advantages of custom aluminium extrusions in brief

  • Freedom in design;
  • Great precision and a high level of detail;
  • Economically advantageous;
  • Low minimum order quantity;
  • Wide range of different (custom) aluminium alloys;
  • High material strength and wear resistance;
  • Co-engineering.
CNC machining at Mifa

One stop-shop

Mifa takes full responsibility for the development and production process of the profiles. Our knowledge and experience in precision extrusion, machining, assembly and all other techniques we master, guarantee an optimal product. Mifa is therefore a one-stop-shop for customers. The techniques below are at our disposal:

  • Precision extrusion;
  • Machining;
  • Assembly;
  • Aluminium surface treatments;
  • Magnesium technology;
  • Other techniques: bonding, welding, marking, engraving and laser processing, bending and pre-treatment.

With our extensive knowledge and years of experience, we use the right technology for each product. A technique that is particularly interesting for our customers, is surface treatment.

Inspections

Mifa maintains the superior quality of its extruded profiles through rigorous process and product control. To guarantee the excellence of all our products, we carry out a series of inspections, including :

  • Dimensional inspection;
  • Chemical analysis of materials and coatings;
  • Mechanical tests, such as hardness and tensile strength;
  • CMM measurements;
  • Fluorescent penetrant inspection;
  • X- Ray;
  • Salt Spray tests.
Mifa profielen meten

Surface Treatments for bespoke aluminium profiles

Mifa excels in executing post-production operations, which include bespoke aluminium profiles that undergo surface treatments at Mifa Surface Treatment. These treatments are fundamental in enhancing the longevity and performance of the custom profiles. A surface treatment offers advantages such as:

  • Superior protection against corrosion;
  • Enhanced surface texture for improved smoothness;
  • Desired levels of reflectivity;
  • Options for electrical insulation or custom coloration;
  • Augmented wear resistance;
  • Improved bonding capabilities for adhesives or paint;
  • Decreased friction and extended service life.

Mifa presents a trio of aluminium surface treatment techniques that bestow specific attributes to the aluminium, which comprise anodizing, passivating, and the application of polymer coatings.

In our project with SodaTASTE, we harnessed our specialized skills in bespoke colored anodization to fabricate a variety of prototype pressure cylinders. This process utilized our in-depth understanding of colored anodization techniques. The synergy with SodaTASTE culminated in the creation of optimally colored and anodized bespoke aluminium profiles.

Aluminium alloys

In order to get the best end result, choosing the right aluminium alloy for the task at hand is vital. There are more than 530 registered aluminium alloys, so the choice can be overwhelming. At Mifa, we have the knowledge and experience to help customers choosing the right alloy for the job. We also have aerospace aluminium alloys, like the 6061, 6082, and 7075.

We extrude the following alloys as standard. Other alloys can be requested.

6xxx family

EN AW 6060 (Al MgSi)
EN AW 6063 (Al Mg0.7Si)
EN AW 6005A (Al SiMg(A))
EN AW 6061 (Al Mg1SiCu)
EN AW 6082 (Al SiMgMn)
EN AW 6463

7xxxx family

EN AW 7020 (Al Zn4,5Mg1)
EN AW 7022
EN AW 7075 (Al Zn5,5MgCu)

1xxx family

EN AW 1070

2xxx family

EN AW 2024 (Al Cu4SiMg1)

3xxx family

EN AW 3003 (Al Mn1Cu)

Magnesium extrusions

After in-depth research and development, Mifa has proficiently mastered the extrusion of magnesium profiles and components. Similar to aluminium, our magnesium extrusions can achieve dimensional tolerances as precise as 0.02 mm. Additionally, the design flexibility provided by magnesium matches that of aluminium.

There are several main benefits of using magnesium:

 

Less weight

Magnesium is used in a range of products, from cars and cameras to aeroplanes and bicycles. Its appeal among manufacturers is on the rise, largely due to its lightness. For example, a less hefty bicycle often leads to happier users. Increasingly, engineers are favouring magnesium over alternative materials, given that it can be as much as 30% lighter than aluminium.

 

Reduced Manufacturing Expenses

Magnesium extrusions are notable for their reduced weight, being 30% lighter than aluminium and 70% lighter than steel. In industries where weight plays a crucial role, magnesium brings forth substantial benefits. Its advantages are clear for vehicles like cars, trains, and aeroplanes, especially when aiming for the best cost-effectiveness. Producing and managing lighter parts lead to savings in production costs.

 

Durability and Resistance to Corrosion

There’s a common belief that magnesium corrodes quickly. Yet, Mifa has introduced an innovative coating that effectively shields magnesium extrusions, making corrosion concerns a thing of the past. Even though some question the longevity of magnesium, its impressive strength-to-weight ratio unmistakably marks it as a prime choice. Magnesium extrusion facilitates the production of lighter components than their counterparts made of comparable metals.

Production process of profiles
Chantiers de l’Atlantique cruise ship

Custom aluminium extrusions for Chantiers de l'Atlantique

Because Mifa produces custom profiles with high accuracy (up to ±0.02 mm), our profiles are being used in various markets. However, what might come as a surprise, is that our extrusion profiles are also being used for one of the biggest cruise ships in the world (a ship that’s 331 meters long and 43 meters wide).

The profiles were produced for Chantiers de l’Atlantique, one of the world’s largest innovative shipbuilders. Our technical engineers worked together with the engineers at Chantiers de l’Atlantique to work out an ingenious concept. Curious to learn more? Read the full case study for all details.

Modernization of double-deck trains

NedTrain is aiming to refurbish its renowned double-decker trains. This entails a complete disassembly of each train, followed by reassembly. Mifa provides custom aluminium extrusion profiles for this process. Since many of these profiles are positioned under the floor, they are either partially seen or entirely hidden.

This project is subject to a European tender process, allowing any company to bid for this public contract. Out of all the participants, Mifa was eventually selected for the task. A primary factor in this decision was that Mifa possesses all the necessary technologies in-house for Nedtrain’s initiative. These include:

  • Extrusion
  • CNC machining
  • Bending
  • Engraving
  • Surface treatment

Medical precision profile for new product B|Braun

In another case study, Mifa developed a complex bespoke aluminium extrusion profile in collaboration with B|Braun. B|Braun produces light, small customised medical devices and solutions. Braun contacted us for the development of their next generation infusion pumps: the new Perfusor® Space.

By offering their engineers more freedom in the design process, we were able to jointly develop the product our client was looking for. This enables us to guarantee the highest quality, at a lower cost and shorter lead time.

Are you currently looking for a custom aluminium extrusion supplier? We are one of the most advanced extruders worldwide. Wondering how we help our customers to reach their goals? Take a look at the other case studies for more details.

What is Mifa Aluminium certified for?

Mifa is certified for the AS 9100 quality certificate for the aerospace industry (also known as EN 9100 certification). Take a look at the certificates below.

What does Mifa Aluminium do in the field of sustainability?

At Mifa we think the environment is extremely important. Mifa Surface Treatment has been ISO 14001 certified for quite some time, but it does not stop there. At Mifa we want to continue to reduce our ecological footprint to keep improving our sustainability.

How can I get in touch with the sales department?

Contact us by filling in the contact form. One of our sales engineers will contact you as soon as possible.

Does Mifa Aluminium deliver to consumers?

No. Mifa Aluminium supplies exclusively to B2B customers.

Curious what Mifa can do for you?

We would very much like you to experience our precision when it comes to our bespoke aluminium profiles, so feel free to contact us! The head office will ensure you that one of our Sales Engineers will call you back.

Experience it for yourself. Experience precision, the Mifa standard.