Markets
We achieve a wide range of innovative tubing solutions in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as material types and gauges. These tubing solutions are used in a variety of applications such as:

• Automotive
• Appliance
• Conveyor
• Construction
• Furniture
• Truck Exhaust
• Hydroforming
• Sporting Goods
• Recreation Vehicles
• A/C & Heating
• Agriculture

Case Studies:

Industry: Truck Exhaust
Detective work that paid off for our client.

For several months, an AK Tube customer had been experiencing a manufacturing problem which caused the metallization to flake off the tube's weld seam. They called us to see if we could find a solution to the problem. We sent in a cross-functional team that identified certain variables in the process that were contributing to the flaking problem, then recommended steps to eliminate it.

Result: our customer was able to reduce scrap by approximately 25%.

Industry: All-Terrain and Recreational Vehicles
Making a switch for big savings.

Sometimes all it takes is a simple change in material to help a customer uncover cost savings. In the case of this manufacturer, we recommended an alternative material which provided similar mechanical properties as a high-strength, low-alloy steel without the grade extra. The new material provided the added benefits of improved reliability, repeatability, weld integrity and less variation from heat to heat.

Result: improved bending, formality, fabrication, and throughput, as well as a 5% material savings.

Industry: Tube Fabrication
Working as partners to solve our client's needs.

AK Tube LLC was able to recommend the proper forming methods and tooling that this client needed to ensure successful tubing fabrication. AK Tube worked with this customer on their shop floor for many months in all facets of their operations, from bend tooling to proper lubrication. As a result, the customer has increased it's throughput and decreased operational costs. AK Tube continues to work with this customer as part of a joint continuous Improvement Project, providing technical support on the client's shop floor on a monthly basis.

Result: scrap reduced by 33%, setup time decreased by 20%, and throughput increased by 15%.

Industry: Automotive
Finding a better way to fight corrosion.

One of our customers was experiencing corrosion problems with their parts in Northern climates.

Unfortunately, their powder coating methods did not provide consistent 500-hour salt spray performance. AK Tube recommended that they switch to a coated sheet steel product that not only provided more than 1000 hours of salt spray resistance but also superior bending/fabrication performance and paintability.

Result: our customer was able to eliminate warranty problems with previous material design and provide a product with a clear competitive advantage.