Vixen Composites has expanded its custom composite panel fabrication capabilities with the installation of a new computer numerical control (CNC) machine capable of processing panels up to 10 feet by 40 feet, increasing production efficiency and enabling more complex panel designs.
The new C.R. Onsrud machine allows the Elkhart, Indiana-based manufacturer to cut large-format fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite panels with greater dimensional accuracy and tighter tolerances.
It also expands the company’s ability to produce custom configurations based on customer drawings, including perimeter geometries and internal openings.
The equipment investment is expected to support a wider range of customer specifications while reducing labor requirements and improving manufacturing consistency.
“The new CNC machine gives us the ability to produce large-scale panels with greater dimensional accuracy while operating more efficiently,” said Gordon Frost, business unit manager at Vixen Composites. “It also allows us to move beyond standard squares and rectangles and support customers whose projects require more complex panel geometries and internal openings.”
Since installing the equipment, Vixen Composites has reported improved operating efficiency, reduced labor requirements and increased quality and accuracy across its large-scale cutting operations.
The improvements are expected to support more consistent on-time deliveries and strengthen overall production performance for customers.
The machine’s ability to handle larger panels and more intricate cutting requirements also expands the company’s capacity to take on projects requiring full CNC fabrication.
Previously, the company’s custom panel capabilities included standard panel configurations. The new equipment allows it to accommodate more complex designs, including customized exterior dimensions and internal cutouts, based on individual project requirements.
The investment is part of Vixen Composites’ broader manufacturing and growth strategy. By expanding its large-format fabrication capabilities, the manufacturer aims to serve additional applications requiring customized composite panel production.
Airxcel, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, designs, manufactures and distributes products for the recreational vehicle industry. Its portfolio includes 18 companies operating across 15 facilities in the United States and Europe.
