Vitex Extrusion, LLC in Franklin, New Hampshire invested in the installation of new machining centers in order to expand its downstream aluminum extrusion fabrication capabilities. This enables the company to meet increased demand for long part fabrication and precision machining.
“During the last 24 months, customer demand for precision machined, long-length extruded profiles has increased significantly,” said Andrew Curland, President and CEO of Vitex Extrusion. “With the two recent equipment investments, Vitex is now uniquely positioned to provide its customers with precision machined components up to 144” in length from three work centers, complimented with full CMM measuring capabilities.”
The project includes the purchase and installation of two machining centers — a Hexagon Metrology coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and a Hass VF-10 CNC vertical machining center. The Hexagon Metrology Y-axis CMM provides dimensional measurement capabilities for fabricated and machined aluminum extrusions in lengths up to 118 inches. With vibration and thermal isolation features, combined with an integrated fixturing system, the Hexagon delivers best-in-class accuracy and reliability.
The second investment, a Hass VF-10 CNC, machines aluminum profile sections up to 144 inches in length in a single operation.
Vitex Extrusion is an independent extrusion company with extensive value-added capabilities. The company has been continuously investing in its operations in recent years in order to achieve success as a regional manufacturing company. This included the installation and start-up of a new 8 inch, 2,750 ton Presezzi Extrusion press with a Granco Clark handling system in 2011, which was upgraded with new quenching and profile stacking systems in 2015 (see “Vitex Grows Capacity and Capabilities,” Light Metal Age, April 2017). In addition, the company installed a Presezzi automated lineal packing system in the summer of 2017.