Lantek partners Euromac in punching systems

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

Bystronic wins the Swiss Technology Award

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

Trumpf machine helps transform Bernabéu

Real Madrid is one of the world’s most successful football teams – and a visit to the club’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a dream come true for many fans. The spectacular facade of the revamped Bernabéu contains thousands of stainless steel louvres, over half of which were fabricated by Lasercor with millimetre precision using a Trumpf TruLaser 5030 Fiber laser cutter. What made the task particularly challenging was that every louvre is different.

Lasercor’s 16,000 m² production site is home to 23 Trumpf machines, from a TruBend 5130 press brake and TruLaser 5030 Fiber laser cutter to a TruLaser Weld 5000 automated laser welding cell and TruMark Station 7000 laser marking system. The company employs 170 people and generate annual turnover in the region of €30m.

Using Trumpf machines, Lasercor has cut, bent, engraved and welded parts of all shapes and sizes for some 8000 customers. And now that list includes the world-famous Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where the new roof alone required 8880 metal louvres, with a whole lot more needed for the facade.

The initial specifications stated that all – or at least many – of the louvres would be identical. But during the cutting process, it emerged that each louvre was slightly different, often by a matter of millimetres. And each one had to slot into position perfectly. There were also six different surfaces that were designed to reflect light in different ways.

Lasercor used a TruLaser 5030 Fiber laser cutter with a 12 kW power to precision-cut 4400 louvres, as well as parts for the north and east facades. The company spent 18 months working on the project. However, Lasercor worked so fast it was even able to support some other fabricators involved in the project.

“If one machine isn’t up to the job, then we look for another one; if the material isn’t good enough, we find a better option,” says Lasercor CEO Julián Jiménez Barroso. “None of our machines are more than four years old and we never stop investing.”

More information www.trumpf.com

Trusted partnership drives growth at Billington

Think back to when Manchester United secured the treble, The Matrix redefined cinema and the Millenium Dome was London’s latest architectural icon. Around that time, Billington Structures Ltd and Ficep UK began a partnership that has stood the test of time. Over 25 years later, this collaboration – based on shared goals and trust – has helped Billington, a major UK structural steel fabricator, improve its operations and remain at the forefront of its industry.

The introduction of Ficep Gemini machines marked a key step in the partnership. These machines allowed Billington to handle multiple tasks, such as chamfering, drilling and plasma cutting – on a single platform.

Billington also turned to Ficep for its laser processing technology. The company purchased a Ficep Cutlite machine, capable of cutting material up to 50 mm thick. After seeing the machine in action at Ficep’s UK open house and later visiting the factory in Italy, Billington was convinced of its capabilities.

Kevin Campbell, managing director of Billington Structures, says: “The thing that impressed us most was its ability to process material up to 50 mm thick. Since its installation, we’ve found the productivity much better than we expected, while the quality of parts is second to none.”

Ficep provides ongoing support, including maintenance contracts and complementary solutions like its vending machine for consumables.

Says Campbell: “The Billington/Ficep partnership over the past 25-30 years has seen us grow as a business, offer more products, and maintain our competitiveness and productivity. And part of the reason for that is the support we’ve had from Ficep.”

More information www.ficep.co.uk

Laser cutter boosts output at Expanded Metal

When The Expanded Metal Co recognised that its costs for external subcontract laser cutting services were escalating in line with output, the Hartlepool-based manufacturer investigated the market for a fibre laser cutter to help manage costs and enhance process control. The solution arrived in the shape of a Lincoln Electric Linc-Cut 1530A 6 kW fibre laser cutting machine from Kerf Developments.

Recalling the situation, Ryan Pinder, operations manager and head of continuous improvement at ExMesh, says: “Our laser cutting costs were climbing, and production schedules worked on min-max order levels with our supplier. It had to change. We looked at 8 to 10 laser manufacturers and did our due diligence. Part of this included visiting the MACH 2024 exhibition, where we talked to a contact at Lincoln Electric, which was sharing a stand with UK agent Kerf Developments.”

He continues: “This was our first laser purchase, so we needed support and reassurance as we leapt into the unknown. The Kerf team put us at ease and emphasised their level of support, and they couldn’t have been more supportive during demonstrations. We switched our original requirement from a 3 kW to a 6 kW   laser cutter to future-proof our business, and Kerf introduced us to the Lincoln Electric Linc-Cut 1530A.

“While we have to build labour and consumable costs into our ROI projections, we’re already using the machine for much more than originally intended – meaning it will pay for itself in the very near future.”

Concludes Pinder: “With the Linc-Cut 1530A, we’re now in charge of our destiny, and we’re already receiving more bespoke subcontract jobs from existing customers.”

More information www.kerfdevelopments.com