Aluminium profiles – invention, quality and cost-effectiveness

At first glance, all aluminium profiles might look the same – but take a closer look and you’ll soon spot some big differences. In this blog post, we set out the relevant criteria to help you decide which ones to buy.

Aluminium profiles – the key facts

• Sales of the MB Building Kit System started in 1984. Today, the system – now called the item Building Kit System – includes over 4500 compatible components.
• Original aluminium profiles offer documented, reproducible properties in terms of the alloy used, tolerances, surface quality and fastening techniques.
• Premium profiles deliver excellent reliability, streamlined assembly and maintenance work, a more expansive system and comprehensive support.
• item profiles are top-quality products that can be used for decades. What’s more, they are made from over 50 percent recycled material.
• The award-winning item design combines form and function, which ensures better ergonomics and greater flexibility in engineering and assembly.

Who invented aluminium profiles?

There have been various technical milestones in the development of aluminium profiles – the first extrusion process (Joseph Bramah, 1797), the affordable production of aluminium (Hall-Héroult process, 1886), early uses of extruded aluminium profiles (around 1900), and the item invention of a modular aluminium profile designed for mechanical engineering applications (1980).

item played a pivotal role in shaping and improving the classic aluminium profile that is now widely recognised in the industry as a key structural element (also known as a grooved profile):

• Making machine bases from steel had many disadvantages – steel is heavy and difficult to machine, which slows everything down. That’s why, in 1980, Pies and Rixen came up with an alternative solution – using aluminium instead of steel and screws instead of welds.
• Even back then, aluminium profiles featured the 8 mm groove on all four sides.
• In 1983, the profile geometry was modified to incorporate inward-sloping groove flanks. This made built-in pre-tensioning possible – a feature that is still proving very effective to this day.
• Even back then, the profiles in question were the Profile 8 40×40 and its “sister profile”, Profile 8 80×40 – and these are still the basic profiles for the present-day item Building Kit System.

After non-stop development work, the MB Building Kit System went on sale in 1984. Back then, communicating the benefits of modular aluminium profile systems to a wide range of customers was truly pioneering work. The product portfolio has never stopped growing and currently includes over 4500 compatible components. As the system is now used in applications that extend far beyond mechanical engineering, its name has changed from the MB Building Kit System (MB stands for mechanical engineering in German) to the item Building Kit System.

The patent for a fastening technique featuring a washer with anti-torsion protection was particularly significant. This fastener was stable, concealed and systematically engineered. As the predecessor of today’s Standard-Fastening Set, it combined consistent force transmission with mechanically locked anti-torsion protection. Based on the same principle as the original idea, the Standard-Fastening Set is an integrated element that is easy to install.

How do you tell when one aluminium profile system is better quality than another for industrial use?

Material, surface finish, tolerances, fastening technology and the scope of the system are the key quality indicators for aluminium profile systems designed for industrial use.

Pay particular attention to the following criteria:

• Material quality: A clearly defined alloy and verifiable technical characteristic values are an indication of reliable, reproducible properties.
• Tolerances and dimensional accuracy: Straight profiles, precise angles and perfectly coordinated accessories ensure stable connections, without any need for readjustments.
• Rigidity: A high-quality profile system exhibits minimal deflection and torsion under load.
• Surface finish: A smooth, uniform surface offers long-term protection against corrosion, wear and tear.
• Fit of accessories in grooves: Grooves that are free of any burring, as well as T-slot nuts and fasteners that are free from play but move smoothly, are also a sign of good manufacturing quality.
• Fasteners: Stable, torsion-resistant fasteners continue to work reliably, even after being installed repeatedly.
• Scope of system and documentation: A wide range of accessories, availability of CAD data, and detailed installation and assembly guides make planning and implementation easier.
• Delivery reliability and support: Fast availability, long-term delivery reliability, expert technical advice, online support and rapid complaints processes give you the planning certainty you need.

System for maximum versatility

Opt for the original item Building Kit System and enjoy the benefits of our unique range of products. The end-to-end compatibility of all components gives your creativity a whole new dimension.

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