Hypertherm Associates and BLM Group are commencing a strategic partnership agreement aimed at expanding the market reach of their respective solutions. The two industry specialists will collaborate to offer solutions to customers through BLM Group’s laser cutting and tube bending systems and Hypertherm Associates’ plasma and waterjet cutting products and software.

The partnership includes a minority stake investment in BLM Group by Hypertherm Associates and a commercial agreement to expand the demand generation for BLM Group’s tube cutting and bending systems, pipe and plate cutting systems, and 3D robotics systems, in North America and Europe. The combination of BLM Group’s expertise in laser cutting technology and Hypertherm Associates’ experience in integrated solutions presents a significant opportunity for both companies to strengthen customer relationships and respond to evolving market needs.

This new strategic partnership permits each company to maintain its current leadership structure, operations and other strategic priorities, allowing for continuous innovation and consistent operational management.

BLM Group has a legacy as a global family-owned company, with its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Cantù and Levico Terme, Italy. Hypertherm Associates is a 100% employee-owned company based in the US, with plasma manufacturing facilities in New Hampshire, waterjet production in Minnesota and Washington, and laser consumables manufacturing in Sasso Marconi, Italy.

This strategic agreement marks the beginning of a promising collaboration that aims to elevate industry standards and create sustainable value for both companies and their customers.

Lincoln International and Advant Ntcm advised Hypertherm Associates, while BLM Group was advised by Studio Grimani & Pesce e Studio Gianni & Origoni during the agreement’s development.

More information www.hypertherm.com

Bodor Laser, a specialist in laser equipment manufacturing, is celebrating its sixth consecutive year as the ‘Global No.1 Laser Cutting Machine Provider by Sales Volume’ as recognised by the Jinan International Machine Tool Show in China last month. Confirmed by independent data from Qianzhan Industry Research Institute, Bodor Laser says the achievement solidifies its position as the first Chinese laser equipment manufacturer to attain six years of consecutive global sales leadership.

This six-year reign at the top is not merely a numerical feat, but a reflection of 2190 days of dedication, meticulous craftsmanship and disruptive innovation that, according to Bodor Laser, have become synonymous with its brand. Rising from a market challenger to a major industry player, Bodor Laser has leveraged its “advanced intelligent manufacturing” capabilities to deliver “revolutionary value enhancement” to customers worldwide. Bodor reports that this strategic approach has effectively disrupted the long-standing dominance of international brands in the high-end laser cutting market.

Zhou Shanhua, SVP of China marketing at Bodor Laser, articulated the core pillars of the company’s sustained success during his address as “high-quality products, exceptional service and a global brand strategy”.

This integrated approach, he explained, allows Bodor Laser to address the diverse and evolving needs of customers across over 180 countries and regions.

A distinguished cohort of representatives from government, industry, academia and research convened to celebrate Bodor Laser’s achievement. Esteemed attendees included Sun Xitian (chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Advanced Manufacturing Industry Alliance), Li Jijun (first-level researcher of Jinan Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Yue Shuangrong (party secretary of robotics and the High-End Equipment Industry Chain), Ren Yanling, (secretary general of the Shandong Machinery Industry Association), and Dr Xu Wenqiang (president of the Qianzhan Industry Research Institute). 

More information www.bodor.com

Lantek has partnered with Euromac, an Italy-based specialist in combined punching and shearing machines, to deliver an integrated solution that the companies suggest will redefine sheet metal processing. The collaboration merges Euromac’s punching and shearing machines with Lantek’s automation and synchronisation software, offering customers a leap in productivity, cost savings and operational efficiency.

Euromac’s combined punching and shearing machine is capable of executing long cuts in a single stroke, reducing processing time and material consumption. Unlike traditional methods that require multiple impacts or high energy consumption, the company says this technology – based on Euromac’s XT model – delivers faster, more precise cuts with optimal material utilisation.

Beyond cutting performance, Lantek’s software integration takes automation to the next level, enabling fully autonomous production. Lantek’s palletisation system automatically organises and sorts cut pieces, ensuring seamless machine operation without manual intervention. This automation streamlines part stacking and classification based on specific orders, reducing manual handling and improving production flow.

Uninterrupted operation is another key advantage of this solution. Automated unloading ensures continuous machine operation, even during unattended shifts or overnight production, increasing overall productivity. The system’s flexibility allows it to adapt to different production needs with options such as the Gantry Stacker, which uses suction cups for handling and organising parts, or robotic solutions for more complex palletisation requirements.

This development has already been successfully implemented in manufacturing facilities in Italy, Germany and Spain, delivering notable gains in productivity and cost savings. The solution is also designed for seamless integration into fully autonomous production lines, combining punching, shearing and, optionally, automatic bending capabilities.

“Together, we’re shaping the future of digital manufacturing in the sheet metal industry,” states Francisco Pérez, OEM channel director at Lantek.

More information www.lantek.com

With its new ‘Intelligent Cutting Process’ (ICP) autonomy kit, Bystronic has won the Swiss Technology Award in the ‘Industry Innovation’ category. Numerous projects entered the competition but Bystronic came out on top with its autonomous laser cutting machine.

The Swiss Technology Award is Switzerland’s highest recognition for innovation and technology. Bystronic says that its innovative prowess is behind the award, where the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) has been recognised to solve customer problems.

The aim is to optimise and automate the cutting process and thus address key challenges in the metalworking market. These challenges include high personnel costs. Automating the programming, set-up and monitoring of the laser cutting machine significantly reduces personnel costs, as the parts no longer require reworking. 

Another challenge is high production costs. Here, the laser cutting machine minimises raw material consumption, waste and post-processing steps, all of which support cost savings. With regard to the shortage of skilled workers, automation of the cutting process reduces the need for highly qualified workers.

With this solution, Bystronic says it helps customers to produce more sustainably, efficiently and cost-effectively. They also benefit ecologically and economically thanks to a short amortisation period for the investment.

“With our new ICP feature we offer a semi-autonomous machine and have successfully established the first applications in the market,” says Andreas Lüdi, deputy head of pre-development. “To increase further the machine’s degree of autonomy, we’re working on controlling other process parameters in addition to speed. In the near future, we’ll make the product ready for series production.”

The Swiss Technology Award supports and promotes this culture of innovation. Every year, outstanding technology-based innovations and developments from start-ups, universities and established companies are honoured in three categories.

More information www.bystronic.com