In the vibrant city of Rochester, New York, there is a community-driven movement making waves and warming hearts—We Are Rochester. This inspiring initiative symbolizes Rochester's dedication to fostering unity and support among its
residents. It emphasizes the unique qualities that make this city a wonderful place to live, showcasing the diverse and resilient spirit that defines Rochester.
We Are Rochester captures the very essence of community collaboration, highlighting stories of local residents and small businesses who contribute tirelessly to the city's growth and well-being. It fosters a sense of shared purpose and belonging, whether through uplifting
Community Spirit
Hello Rochester, New York • Winter Issue |5
local artist showcases, engaging community projects, or spotlighting the passionate individuals passionately working to make Rochester a better place.
The initiative also plays a vital role in promoting Rochester's rich cultural tapestry. From its world-class museums and galleries to its bustling food scene and innovative tech industry, We Are Rochester celebrates the energy that surges through this city. More than just a
campaign, it’s a heartfelt reminder of the city’s solidarity, resilience, and commitment to progress.
In Rochester, New York, We Are Rochester is more than a slogan—it's a testament to a thriving community, always ready to uplift each other and shine brightly together.
Community Spirit
Community Spirit: We Are Rochester's Heartfelt Impact
In the vibrant city of Rochester, New York, there is a community-driven movement making waves and warming hearts—We Are Rochester. This inspiring initiative symbolizes Rochester's dedication to fostering unity and support among its residents. It emphasizes the unique qualities that make this city a wonderful place to live, showcasing the diverse and resilient spirit that defines Rochester.
We Are Rochester captures the very essence of community collaboration, highlighting stories of local residents and small businesses who contribute tirelessly to the city's growth and well-being. It fosters a sense of shared purpose and belonging, whether through uplifting local artist showcases, engaging community projects, or spotlighting the passionate individuals passionately working to make Rochester a better place.
The initiative also plays a vital role in promoting Rochester's rich cultural tapestry. From its world-class museums and galleries to its bustling food scene and innovative tech industry, We Are Rochester celebrates the energy that surges through this city. More than just a campaign, it’s a heartfelt reminder of the city’s solidarity, resilience, and commitment to progress.
In Rochester, New York, We Are Rochester is more than a slogan—it's a testament to a thriving community, always ready to uplift each other and shine brightly together.
FEATURED STORY
What to Know Before Choosing an Aluminum Fabrication Partner
by Mark Coyle
Choosing an aluminum fabrication partner is one of the most important early steps in any project that depends on tight tolerances and predictable production. Many people assume fabrication simply means cutting or welding metal, but aluminum moves through a longer chain of work before it becomes a finished part. Each step in that chain affects the next, so understanding who controls which stages is the clearest way to evaluate a shop before you commit. The answer to that question tells you how your project will be managed from start to finish.Most aluminum fabrication
6 | HelloRochester, New York • Winter Issue
Mark Coyle
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Coyle is the Executive Vice President of American Custom Metals, Inc., a firm specializing in custom aluminum extrusion and fabrication. He contributes to the company’s leadership and helps ensure the delivery of precision-engineered aluminum solutions.
begins long before the first cut. The process often starts with design support, because even small changes to a profile shape can affect strength, weight, and overall performance. When a shop has in-house design engineering, it becomes easier to refine an idea before tooling or production begins. This early guidance can help prevent delays caused by profiles that are difficult to extrude or features that may not hold their tolerance during machining. When design, extrusion, and machining sit under the same roof, the team can adjust quickly without passing files or drawings to outside vendors.The extrusion stage
Hello Rochester, New York • Winter Issue |7
What to Know Before Choosing an Aluminum Fabrication Partner
Choosing an aluminum fabrication partner is one of the most important early steps in any project that depends on tight tolerances and predictable production. Many people assume fabrication simply means cutting or welding metal, but aluminum moves through a longer chain of work before it becomes a finished part. Each step in that chain affects the next, so understanding who controls which stages is the clearest way to evaluate a shop before you commit. The answer to that question tells you how your project will be managed from start to finish.
Most aluminum fabrication begins long before the first cut. The process often starts with design support, because even small changes to a profile shape can affect strength, weight, and overall performance. When a shop has in-house design engineering, it becomes easier to refine an idea before tooling or production begins. This early guidance can help prevent delays caused by profiles that are difficult to extrude or features that may not hold their tolerance during machining. When design, extrusion, and machining sit under the same roof, the team can adjust quickly without passing files or drawings to outside vendors.
The extrusion stage is where a profile is created, and this is one of the most specialized steps in aluminum manufacturing. Some shops do not extrude in-house, so they rely on outside mills to supply material. That is not always a problem, but it adds another point of coordination and can extend timelines when demand is high. A partner with direct access to extrusion equipment can manage die design, schedule runs, and keep tighter control over how metal flows through the tooling. This improves consistency and reduces the risk of variation between batches. When extrusion, machining, finishing, and final inspection remain connected, the entire aluminum fabrication workflow becomes more stable and predictable.
Machining also plays a critical role in the final performance of an aluminum part. Whether a shop uses CNC milling, turning, or drilling, precision depends on how well each machine is calibrated to handle the specific alloy and geometry. A fabricator who machines their own extrusions learns how those shapes respond to cutting forces and tool paths, which improves accuracy on future runs. When machining is outsourced, the shop receiving the material may not know how it was extruded or aged, so they have to adjust as they go. This can lead to small variations that compound over longer runs.
Finishing is another stage worth asking about. Aluminum finishing can include anodizing, powder coating, polishing, or creating protective layers for corrosion resistance. Each finish interacts differently with the profile depending on alloy and thickness. If finishing is handled off-site, the material moves again, which introduces another chance for delays. Small shops may rely on multiple vendors, especially if a project requires different finishing types. A larger partner with integrated finishing keeps schedules tighter and helps ensure consistency in color and coating texture.
Logistics often gets overlooked, but it becomes important once parts move into packaging and shipment. Some fabricators have dedicated logistics teams that manage packaging design, palletizing, and freight planning. This matters most for profiles that are long, delicate, or prone to flexing during transport. A fabricator who coordinates shipping directly reduces the risk of damage and shortens the time between production and delivery. When logistics is outsourced, communication takes longer, and errors become more likely.
Another factor to consider is how a fabrication partner handles tolerance control. Aluminum responds to heat, pressure, and machining forces in predictable ways, but only if the team knows how the material was formed at each step. When extrusion, aging, machining, and inspection occur within one facility, the team can maintain a closed loop of information. This helps confirm that each batch meets the same dimensional and structural requirements. A partner with fragmented operations has to track details across several vendors, and small gaps in communication can lead to bigger issues later.
Before choosing a fabrication partner, it helps to ask how many stages they manage directly and how often they rely on third parties. A shop that controls design, extrusion, machining, finishing, and logistics reduces the number of handoffs that allow errors to slip through. It also gives you a clearer view of the full production schedule, because the team understands every constraint and can adjust as needed. This level of coordination is one of the strongest indicators that your project will move smoothly.
A reliable aluminum fabrication partner is defined less by any single capability and more by how their capabilities connect. When the workflow stays inside one organized system, tolerances stay tighter, and timelines stay predictable. That is why understanding the full process is the most effective way to make an informed choice.
When extrusion,machining, finishing,and finalinspection remainconnected, theentire aluminum fabrication workflowbecomes more stableand predictable.
is where a profile is created, and this is one of the most specialized steps in aluminum manufacturing. Some shops do not extrude in-house, so they rely on outside mills to supply material. That is not always a problem, but it adds another point of coordination and can extend timelines when demand is high. A partner with direct access to extrusion equipment can manage die design, schedule runs, and keep tighter control over how metal flows through the tooling. This improve...
Featured Story
What to Know Before PRP Therapy
Many people consider platelet-rich plasma therapy when joint pain or a soft tissue injury continues to affect daily life, even after months of rest or standard treatment. They often look for an option that supports natural healing without committing to surgery. PRP therapy uses a patient’s own blood,
which is drawn and processed to concentrate platelets before being injected into the injured tissue. These platelets contain growth factors that can signal repair, so the purpose is to encourage the body to rebuild damaged areas gradually rather than simply mask discomfort.Understanding how PRP
8 | HelloRochester, New York • Winter Issue
What to Know Before PRP Therapy
Many people consider platelet-rich plasma therapy when joint pain or a soft tissue injury continues to affect daily life, even after months of rest or standard treatment. They often look for an option that supports natural healing without committing to surgery. PRP therapy uses a patient’s own blood, which is drawn and processed to concentrate platelets before being injected into the injured tissue. These platelets contain growth factors that can signal repair, so the purpose is to encourage the body to rebuild damaged areas gradually rather than simply mask discomfort.
Understanding how PRP therapy fits into injury care is important before deciding on treatment. Certain injuries respond more effectively than others. Providers often consider PRP for tendon injuries that have lingered, persistent muscle strains that have not recovered with routine therapy, or mild osteoarthritis where the joint still has some regenerative ability. These tissues often respond because the platelet concentration works with the body’s remaining capacity for healing. Conditions involving significant cartilage loss or advanced joint degeneration respond less consistently because the underlying structures may not have enough viable tissue left to repair.
A thorough medical evaluation helps determine whether PRP therapy is appropriate. Providers usually examine the injury’s age, tissue quality, overall health, and prior treatments. This information helps predict how the tissue might respond. A careful assessment sets the foundation for realistic expectations, which is one of the most important parts of planning PRP therapy. Patients sometimes assume that PRP provides quick relief or that it works the same way for every injury, but results depend on biological differences and the specific condition being treated.
The timeline for improvement is another important factor. PRP therapy does not deliver immediate pain relief because it focuses on restoring tissue rather than numbing symptoms. Many patients begin to notice subtle changes after four to six weeks, and improvement often continues for several months as inflammation decreases and new tissue strengthens. This pace may feel slow, yet it follows the natural rate of healing. Joint and soft tissue recovery rarely happens overnight, and PRP works by supporting that gradual process.
Follow-up visits help track progress and adjust treatment if needed. Providers may introduce physical therapy, strengthening exercises, or temporary activity changes to guide the healing response. These measures often enhance the effects of the injection by improving mobility, reducing strain on the injured area, and promoting balanced movement patterns. In some cases, providers may recommend a second PRP injection if the first round shows partial results or if the tissue response appears incomplete. This decision depends on the injury’s behavior and how well the body responds to the initial procedure.
Preparation for PRP therapy also plays a role in outcome. Patients are normally advised to avoid NSAIDs or blood-thinning medications in the days leading up to the procedure because these drugs can reduce platelet activity. On the day of treatment, the process is straightforward. Blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge while the provider prepares the injection site. The injection may cause mild discomfort or temporary soreness, especially within the first forty-eight hours. Providers often suggest resting the area and adjusting activities to protect the treated tissue. As the healing response begins, a structured rehabilitation plan can support better long-term improvement.
Managing expectations is essential for a positive experience. Some patients feel discouraged when progress is slower than they hoped. Viewing PRP therapy as a tool that supports healing rather than an instant fix helps maintain realistic goals. Physical therapy and corrective exercises can strengthen surrounding structures, reduce strain, and improve overall function, which can make the PRP response more effective. Factors like injury severity, age, general health, and nutrition all influence how well the body responds, and understanding these factors prepares patients for a more accurate timeline.
Risks associated with PRP therapy remain relatively low. Because the injection uses the patient’s own blood, the chance of an allergic reaction is extremely small. Mild soreness, temporary swelling, or minor bleeding can occur, although complications are uncommon. Every patient benefits from discussing concerns with a provider beforehand so they understand the procedure and any risks relevant to their health.
PRP therapy offers a patient-centered approach for injuries that still have potential to heal but need additional support. It is not suitable for every condition, and results depend on many factors, including tissue health and individual biology. When patients understand how PRP works, what it can realistically achieve, and how long improvement may take, they are better prepared to decide whether this therapy aligns with their goals for recovery.
Joshua Olsen, M.D.
some regenerative ability. These tissues often respond because the platelet concentration works with the body’s remaining capacity for healing. Conditions involving significant cartilage loss or advanced joint degeneration respond less consistently because the underlying structures may not have enough viable tissue left to repair.A thorough medical evaluation helps determine whether PRP therapy is appropriate. Providers usually examine the injury’s age, tissue quality, overall health, and prior treatments. This information helps predict how the tissue might respond. A careful assessment sets the foundation for realistic...
therapy fits into injury care is important before deciding on treatment. Certain injuries respond more effectively than others. Providers often consider PRP for tendon injuries that have lingered, persistent muscle strains that have not recovered with routine therapy, or mild osteoarthritis where the joint still has
A careful assessment sets the foundation for realistic expectations, which is one of the most important parts of planning PRP therapy.
About the Author
Joshua Olsen, M.D. is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, fellowship trained in sports medicine. In private practice since 2015, his clinical practice includes sports medicine (including cartilage preservations), knee reconstruction (ACL, meniscal repair), rotator cuff, instability and arthroplasty, total knee replacement, fracture and injury repair.
