Case Study · Custom Metal Fabrication
Custom Aluminum Tubular Link Arm with Clevis Ends
Custom Aluminum Tube Fabrication, Welding & Component Assembly
Conwhole manufactured a custom aluminum tubular link arm with clevis ends — a component combining an aluminum tubular body, clevis mounting plates and welded connections.
Project Summary
Conwhole manufactured a custom aluminum tubular link arm with clevis ends as a batch-produced component. The part combines an aluminum tubular body, clevis mounting plates and internal tube inserts, joined by aluminum welding. It was produced through a sequence of aluminum tube fabrication, surface grinding, welding and clevis assembly.
Aluminum
Tubular Link Arm with Clevis Ends
Custom Metal Fabrication / OEM
Tube Fabrication · Stamping/Laser Cutting · Surface Grinding · Welding · Assembly
Manufacturing Challenges
The link arm combines an aluminum tubular body, clevis plates and internal inserts into a single welded assembly. Three areas have to be controlled for reliable fit and repeatable batch production.
Weld Preparation Consistency
The aluminum tube and clevis plates are ground before welding so each joint welds cleanly and consistently.
Component Positioning
The aluminum tube, clevis plates and internal inserts are correctly positioned before welding and clevis assembly.
Welding Quality
Consistent aluminum welding quality and appearance are maintained across the batch.
Manufacturing Process
The link arm is produced in six stages, in production order — from aluminum tube and plate through to a finished, inspected assembly.
Component Preparation
Aluminum tube sections, clevis mounting plates and internal tube inserts are prepared for fabrication.
Surface Grinding & Weld Preparation
Contact surfaces are ground to remove contamination and create clean, consistent joints for a reliable aluminum weld.
Welding
The aluminum tubular body is welded to the mounting bosses and structural features.
Clevis Installation / Assembly
Clevis ends are positioned and assembled to complete the link arm structure.
Inspection
Dimensions, hole positions and weld connections are checked for consistency.
Capabilities Demonstrated
This project demonstrates Conwhole’s ability to fabricate and assemble custom aluminum tubular components. The following capabilities were applied.
Aluminum Tube Fabrication
The aluminum tubular body was fabricated to the required profile.
Component Fabrication
Clevis plates and internal tube inserts were fabricated as separate components.
Surface Grinding
Contact surfaces were ground to prepare for welding.
Aluminum Welding
The tube was joined to its mounting bosses by welding.
Clevis Assembly
Clevis ends were installed to complete the structure.
Batch Production
The component was produced as a repeatable batch.
Production Result
The final deliverable was a batch of complete aluminum tubular link arms with clevis ends — finished, inspected components rather than a single prototype.
Quality Control
Each production stage is controlled to keep the component consistent and repeatable across the batch. The following checks are performed during production.
Dimensional Checks
Fabricated features are checked for consistent geometry across the batch.
Hole-Position Verification
Mounting hole positions are verified for correct assembly.
Weld Inspection
Welds are checked for positioning and stability across the assembly.
Surface Condition
The finished surface condition is verified before the part leaves production.
Final Assembly Inspection
The completed assembly is reviewed before packing and shipment.
Common Questions
Q1: What is a custom aluminum tubular link arm?
A custom aluminum tubular link arm is a fabricated component that combines an aluminum tubular body with clevis mounting ends, joined by welding. Conwhole manufactures it to the customer’s drawing rather than as an off-the-shelf product.
Q2: What manufacturing processes does Conwhole use for aluminum tube assemblies?
Conwhole combines aluminum tube fabrication, surface grinding and weld preparation, aluminum welding and clevis assembly, followed by inspection and finishing.
Q3: Can Conwhole produce aluminum tubular components in batch?
Yes. This project was produced as a batch, demonstrating repeatable batch production rather than a single prototype.
Q4: What information do I need to get a quote?
A drawing or 3D file, together with the material, quantity and any surface-finishing requirements. Conwhole’s engineering team reviews the design and recommends a manufacturing process.
Have a Similar Metal Fabrication Project?
Send us your drawing, sample, or requirements. Our team can review the manufacturing process and provide a quotation.