Best Supporting Role

Made with a 6063 aluminum alloy, this extrusion is used for the four vertical frame elements of a lightweight, highly configurable, general-purpose cabinet platform used for mounting sensitive electronics. It provides structural support, allows for easy mounting of shelves, trays, and electronic components, and provides an attractive, classically-inspired, decorative finish.

The extrusion process is ideal for this application because of the ability to produce complex shapes and combine multiple functions in the extrusion design. In this case, not only does the extrusion provide structural support for the cabinet, punched holes allow shelves and components to be positioned at various heights, an integrated hole accommodates feet or casters, and slight recesses on the two outside faces provide a classically-inspired decorative finish. The extrusion design also accommodates steel side covers, mounted and removed using quarter-turn fasteners, providing easy access to internal electronics.

The extrusions are cut-to-length in 1 U (1.75") increments, from 20 U (35") to 47 U (82.25"), to accommodate different height requirements.

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