Metal Forming Extrusion Education and Training

Educate yourself about metal forming extrusion to stay ahead in the metal forming and extrusion business
By Howard Robertson Metal extrusion is a very important process in metal forming. Therefore, proper knowledge of the metal extrusion process and operation of metal extruder equipment is necessary to stay and advance in the business of standard and custom metal extrusion.
 
    
If you wish to be a metal extrusion services provider or extruded metal producer, you need to understand the basics of the extrusion process before you can enter the industry. If you are in the business of metal extrusion, you need to keep your knowledge up-to-date to stay ahead of your competitors. In each case, you will most likely have questions regarding your metal extrusion process and wish to seek an expert’s advice.  

To educate yourself or your workforce about the metal extrusion process, you can:

1. Browse various sources that provide basic information about metal extrusion
2. Enroll for certification courses at recognized institutions
3. Interact with experts in the field of metal forming and extrusion processes

Understand the basics of metal forming and extrusion and the relevant terminology

If you have very little exposure to the process of metal forming and extrusion, you can learn the basics by browsing different resources such as websites of engineering consultancies and online knowledge resources.
Try: You can read about the basic concepts and processes of metal forming, including metal extrusion, at Metalforming, a reputable engineering consulting firm. You can learn the basics of the metal extrusion process at EngineersHandbook.com, a website that offers information about mechanical design, manufacturing and engineering. In addition, SubsTech, an open knowledge resource in materials engineering, offers useful information about the metal extrusion process.

Attend certification courses that cover metal forming and extrusion processes

Recognized institutions offer certification courses in metal forming and mechanical engineering, which include detailed education on metal extrusion. You can enroll for these courses to gain thorough technical knowledge about the metal forming and extrusion processes.
Try: University of Washington offers a certification course in plasticity and metal forming, which includes education about metal extrusion. Lehigh University’s Institute for Metal Forming offers a short course in the metal forming processes, including stainless steel extrusion and sheet metal extrusion. In addition, you can enroll in an undergraduate certification course in materials fabrication at McMaster University, Ontario.

Interact with experts in the field of metal forming and extrusion

Veterans in the metal extrusion business can help you set up or refurbish your metal extruding plant. If you want to establish yourself in the standard and custom metal extrusions business, seek an expert's advice on different issues such as the design and setup of a plant, compliances, government permissions and operational details of a metal extrusion plant.
Try: Kevin Kennedy & Associates, a global engineering and scientific consulting firm, offers expert advice on metal forming and extrusion. In addition, you can seek expert advice at Intota, a business-to-business service that connects the experts in various industries, including metal forming and extrusion.  Contact the Precision Metalforming Association to find a metal forming company that offers apprenticeships or other educational opportunities.  The National Tooling & Machining Association runs a series of webinars on the  latest techniques in metal forming.