Working on something confidential? Sign first
/ Aluminum
Aluminum Telescoping Tubing
75 stock profiles, Ø7–52 mm. Anodized to your color. Built to float on request.
Upsilon makes aluminum telescoping tubing from Ø7 to 52 mm (0.28–2.05 in) in 75 stock profiles. The tubes are extruded at our own aluminum tube mill, opened in 2011, so profile, color and internal structure come from one source.
75
Stock profiles, dies in house
Ø7–52mm
Diameter range (0.28–2.05 in)
0.5–2.0mm
Wall thickness (0.020–0.079 in)
2011
Own aluminum tube mill opened
Choosing an Alloy
All aluminum is light; the difference is backbone. If you're unsure, start with 6063 or 6005, our standard alloys.
Alloy
In short
Best for
6063
Easy to shape with the best surface finish; our standard alloy
Visible parts and products where anodized color matters
6061
Higher strength, more rigid
Load-bearing poles and structural parts
6005
Standard alloy that balances strength and workability
General-purpose telescoping tubes
Other alloys on request, including 7000-series such as 7075.
Stock Profiles
75 stock profiles with dies already in house: order and we produce, with the shortest lead time. Sizes outside the table are evaluated on request.
All round tube, in three wall thicknesses from lightest to strongest.
0.5 mm wall, the lightest option.
OD × wall, mm
7.0 × 0.5
8.6 × 0.5
10.2 × 0.5
11.8 × 0.5
13.4 × 0.5
15.0 × 0.5
16.6 × 0.5
18.2 × 0.5
19.8 × 0.5
21.4 × 0.5
23.0 × 0.5
Thin-Wall Double-Slot
11
sizes
OD × wall, in
0.276 × 0.020
0.339 × 0.020
0.402 × 0.020
0.465 × 0.020
0.528 × 0.020
0.591 × 0.020
0.654 × 0.020
0.717 × 0.020
0.780 × 0.020
0.843 × 0.020
0.906 × 0.020
0.7 mm wall, a weight-saving all-rounder.
OD × wall, mm
10 × 0.7
13 × 0.7
16 × 0.7
19 × 0.7
22 × 0.7
25 × 0.7
28 × 0.7
31 × 0.7
Lightweight Round
sizes
8
OD × wall, in
0.394 × 0.028
0.512 × 0.028
0.630 × 0.028
0.748 × 0.028
0.866 × 0.028
0.984 × 0.028
1.102 × 0.028
1.220 × 0.028
1.0 mm wall, sturdy and durable.
OD × wall, mm
9.5 × 1.0
13 × 1.0
16.5 × 1.0
20 × 1.0
23.5 × 1.0
27 × 1.0
Standard Round
6
sizes
OD × wall, in
0.374 × 0.039
0.512 × 0.039
0.650 × 0.039
0.787 × 0.039
0.925 × 0.039
1.063 × 0.039
Slots in the wall stop rotation and keep sections aligned for a steadier extension.
Two slots stop rotation and add pull strength and straightness.
OD × wall, mm
9.3 × 0.5
11.1 × 0.5
12.9 × 0.5
14.7 × 0.5
16.5 × 0.5
18.3 × 0.5
20.1 × 0.5
21.9 × 0.5
23.7 × 0.5
25.8 × 0.6
20.4 × 0.6
Round outside, inner ridge
Thin-Wall Double-Slot
11
sizes
OD × wall, in
0.366 × 0.020
0.437 × 0.020
0.508 × 0.020
0.579 × 0.020
0.650 × 0.020
0.720 × 0.020
0.791 × 0.020
0.862 × 0.020
0.933 × 0.020
1.016 × 0.024
0.803 × 0.024
One slot stops rotation. The basic anti-rotation tube.
OD × wall, mm
13 × 1.0
16 × 1.0
19 × 1.0
22 × 1.0
25 × 1.0
28 × 1.0
31 × 1.0
34 × 1.0
Single-Slot
sizes
8
OD × wall, in
0.512 × 0.039
0.630 × 0.039
0.748 × 0.039
0.866 × 0.039
0.984 × 0.039
1.102 × 0.039
1.220 × 0.039
1.339 × 0.039
Inner ribs add strength, plus one slot against rotation. Smooth and round outside.
OD × wall, mm
10 × 1.0
13 × 1.0
16 × 1.0
19 × 1.0
22 × 1.0
25 × 1.0
28 × 1.0
Inner-Ribbed Single-Slot
7
sizes
OD × wall, in
0.394 × 0.039
0.512 × 0.039
0.630 × 0.039
0.748 × 0.039
0.866 × 0.039
0.984 × 0.039
1.102 × 0.039
Lock by twisting the tube itself, or reinforce the outer wall.
Two offset half-circles: twist the tube to lock, with no exposed lock parts. For small diameters.
OD × wall, mm
9.0 × 0.7
12 × 0.7
15 × 0.7
18 × 0.7
21 × 0.7
24 × 0.7
27 × 0.7
30 × 0.7
33 × 0.7
36 × 0.7
24.2 × 0.8
Round outside, offset bore
Eccentric
11
sizes
OD × wall, in
0.354 × 0.028
0.472 × 0.028
0.591 × 0.028
0.709 × 0.028
0.827 × 0.028
0.945 × 0.028
1.063 × 0.028
1.181 × 0.028
1.299 × 0.028
1.417 × 0.028
0.953 × 0.031
Ribs on the outer wall add strength. Round inside.
OD × wall, mm
9.5 × 1.0
13 × 1.0
16.5 × 1.0
20 × 1.0
23.5 × 1.0
27 × 1.0
Outer-Ribbed
sizes
6
OD × wall, in
0.374 × 0.039
0.512 × 0.039
0.650 × 0.039
0.787 × 0.039
0.925 × 0.039
1.063 × 0.039
Large diameters, Ø22–52 mm, with outer-wall ribs for strength.
OD × wall, mm
22.2 × 1.0
27.2 × 1.0
32.2 × 1.0
37.2 × 1.0
42.2 × 1.0
47.2 × 1.0
52.2 × 1.0
Large Outer-Ribbed
7
sizes
OD × wall, in
0.874 × 0.039
1.071 × 0.039
1.268 × 0.039
1.465 × 0.039
1.661 × 0.039
1.858 × 0.039
2.055 × 0.039
Need a size or profile that isn't listed? We cut a new die in 30–45 days, and the die belongs to you.
Inch values are converted from millimeters.
Process Parameters
Our standard practice and what's possible, in one place. Need something outside these ranges?
Send it over and we'll evaluate.
Alloy
6063 / 6005 standard; 6061 and 7000-series on request
Wall thickness
0.5–2.0 mm (0.020–0.079 in); standard 0.7 / 1.0 mm
Tolerances
Cut length ±0.1 mm; finished extended length ±5 mm; wall thickness to a mutually agreed standard, by profile and wall
Stock length
3,500–4,000 mm (11.5–13.1 ft)
Section length
100–2,000 mm (3.9–78.7 in) per section; number of sections and collapsed length designed around your product
Telescoping force
Typically from about 800 g (1.8 lb), adding 200–300 g (0.4–0.7 lb) per section; starting force and overall feel adjustable from 500 to 3,000 g (1.1–6.6 lb)
Spring clips
Phosphor bronze spring clips plus plastic spring clips; the plastic clips protect the tube wall for a smoother, quieter slide
Locking
Five options: friction-fit, internal twist lock, external twist lock, push-button (ball-detent) lock and flip lock
Floating
Can be built to float: buoyancy comes from the internal parts and structure, so the pole stays afloat if dropped in water
Scope
Mechanical telescoping only (spring clips and locks); no hydraulic, pneumatic or electric telescoping
Finishing & Logo
Typical Applications
Product Formats
Tour guide and parade flag poles
Boat and awning support poles
Lamp-changing poles
Solar panel cleaning poles
Pet barrier tension poles
Golf ball retrievers
Frequently Asked Questions
Every piece inspected
6 inspection steps, 100% inspection, no sampling
SMETA 4-Pillar audited
Audited every year since 2019
Reply in 6–10 hours
Solution and quote within 24–48 working hours
Five things we need to quote
Application: horizontal or vertical; indoor, outdoor or coastal
Length: extended and collapsed length, or section length and number
of sections
Diameter and wall: pick a size from the stock table if you like
Color and logo: a Pantone code or a reference image
Estimated quantity
Missing a few? That's fine. Send drawings, sketches or a reference
sample along with what you have.