TSLOTS Aluminum Extrusion by Futura Industries (Bonnell)
The modular structural system that replaces welded steel — and builds whatever you need next.
TSLOT aluminum extrusion has been a staple of industrial construction for over 40 years, and for good reason: it gives engineers and builders a strong, lightweight, fully reconfigurable structural system that bolts together without welding, grinding, or painting. Think of it as an industrial Erector Set® — one that can handle real manufacturing loads, then be disassembled and rebuilt into something completely different when your needs change.
AOP Technologies is a regional distributor of TSLOTS by Futura Industries (Bonnell), the only aluminum extrusion brand that extrudes its own aluminum in the USA. We serve manufacturers, OEMs, and builders throughout the Pacific Northwest.
What Makes TSLOT Aluminum Extrusion Different from Structural Steel
Traditional steel framing is welded. Once it’s built, it’s built. If your machine layout changes, your production line shifts, or your storage requirements evolve, you’re left grinding welds and throwing metal into the scrap bin.
TSLOT works differently. The profiles bolt together using T-Nuts and brackets that slide into the slots running along each face of the extrusion. That means you can tighten everything into a rigid, load-bearing structure. Then years later, loosen a few bolts, and you can reconfigure it entirely. The aluminum goes back into your next project, not the recycling bin.
In terms of strength, TSLOT aluminum is often compared unfavorably to steel, but that comparison is more nuanced than it appears. The same aluminum alloy runs through all serious TSLOT brands, and comparable profiles handle comparable loads.
The real difference is labor and lifecycle cost. When you factor in the time saved on assembly (no welding equipment, no certified welders, no grinding) and the reuse value at the end of a project, TSLOT routinely comes out ahead of steel on total cost, even though the upfront material price is higher.
Why TSLOTS by Futura Industries (Bonnell)
There are several extruded aluminum brands on the market, but what separates TSLOTS is where the aluminum comes from.
Bonnell extrudes all its own aluminum domestically, with manufacturing operations in Utah, Michigan, and South Carolina. Competitors import their extrusion, primarily from overseas suppliers.
That domestic production gives TSLOTS tighter control over material quality, faster lead times, and genuine USA-made provenance for customers who require it or prefer it.
What Can You Build with TSLOTS Extrusion
The range of applications is wider than most people expect when they first encounter the product. Common uses AOP customers are working with include:
- Machine frames and bases for production equipment, where the ability to adjust and modify without rewelding is a significant operational advantage.
- Storage and shelving systems, including heavy-duty racks for large rolls of tubing or wire.
- Guarding and safety enclosures around equipment.
- Workstations, inspection fixtures, and lab benches.
- Even buildouts for Sprinter vans and overlanding campers, where the modular system creates a reconfigurable interior framework for beds, refrigerator mounts, and storage.
The common thread: wherever you’d normally weld a steel frame, T-slot offers a faster, cleaner, more adaptable alternative.
TSLOTS Product Lines
Fractional Series — The most widely used line, available in 10 Series (.255″ slot width) and the popular 15 Series (.322″ slot width). Well-suited for machine frames, guarding, tables, and shelving at scales ranging from small to large.
Metric Series — Combines the design language of fractional TSLOTS with metric dimensions, making it compatible with European framing systems and machinery built to metric standards. Full hardware and component support available.
B-Series — Compatible with Bosch-profile slot widths (6mm to 10mm), including unique fastening components that also work with the Fractional line. A practical option when integrating with existing Bosch-profile systems.
All profiles stock in 240″ lengths and can be cut to spec.
Design Your Frame with T Build
Futura Industries offers a free online design tool called TBUILD. Once you register, you can design your frame on-screen, and the tool generates a bill of materials and list price estimate as you go. When you’re ready to move forward, submitting the design automatically routes a notification to AOP as your regional distributor so you’ll get a real quote from us, not a generic price list.
If you’d rather talk through a design before committing to software, our team can walk you through it. That’s part of what we do.
Working with AOP Technologies
AOP is the primary distributor of TSLOTS for Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. We carry stock, process orders promptly, and can assist with product selection when you’re deciding between series or working out a bill of materials for a new build.
When the situation calls for it, we’ve also built T-slot projects in-house for customers — so if you need more than product and a quote, that option is available. Customers who’ve switched from welded steel consistently report that the build experience is faster and more forgiving than they expected. Most also say that the ability to modify without starting over has changed how they think about frame design going forward.
Contact AOP Technologies to discuss your project, request a quote, or get help getting started with TBUILD.
Erector Set is a registered trademark of Meccano/Spin Master Ltd.
FAQs
Is TSLOT aluminum extrusion as strong as welded steel?
Yes, for most industrial applications. T-slot aluminum extrusion has been a staple of industrial construction for over 40 years, and all major brands use the same aluminum alloy, so comparable profiles carry comparable loads. The more meaningful difference is flexibility. TSLOTS can be reconfigured without welding equipment or certified welders, which changes both the build process and the long-term cost picture significantly.
How is TSLOTS by Futura Industries different from other T-slot brands like 8020 or Bosch?
The primary difference is where the aluminum comes from. Bonnell extrudes all of its own aluminum domestically at facilities in Utah, Michigan, and South Carolina. Most competing brands, including 8020 and Bosch, import their extrusion from overseas. For customers who prioritize USA-made materials or need domestic sourcing for compliance reasons, that distinction matters.
Can AOP help me design and build a TSLOTS frame, or do I need to figure it out myself?
Both options are available. Futura Industries offers a free online design tool called TBUILD that lets you design your frame on-screen and generates a bill of materials as you go — and submitting that design automatically notifies AOP for a real quote. If you’d rather work through the design with someone, our team can help. We’ve also built TSLOTS projects in-house for customers when the situation calls for it.
