Lantek, a global specialist in software solutions for the sheet metal industry, has revealed a partnership with machinery manufacturer Tecoi to deliver a new robotic unloading and palletising system to improve manufacturing efficiency.

The new system is built on Tecoi’s CF modular cutting architecture for multi-head cutting processes and large-scale operations. Following cutting, a servo-automated crane equipped with liftable magnets transfers cut material to an intermediate zone, where robotic systems with adaptive gripping technology automatically collect and palletise parts according to Lantek’s CADCAM instructions.

The intelligence behind this operation is managed through Lantek Expert, which organises parts based on geometry and orientation to ensure only identical parts with matching angles are stacked together. This capability ensures stability and full traceability throughout downstream logistics.

This solution enables palletising to take place while cutting operations continue uninterrupted. Lantek says this reduces downtime and improves overall productivity compared with other systems where part handling requires pauses in production.

Thanks to its collaborative robot-based architecture, additional units can be added to work in synchronisation, accelerating the unloading and palletising process without compromising precision or traceability. Such flexibility allows the same technology to be adapted to both lower-demand facilities and high-throughput, large-scale operations.

For Lantek, this type of integration represents a step forward in the development of connected, automated manufacturing environments and workshops, supporting the industry’s transition towards smarter manufacturing.

Francisco Pérez, OEM channel director at Lantek, says: “The key factor here is that we don’t just connect machines, we connect intelligence. This collaboration with TECOI enables the software to act as the brain of the process, instructing each robot on what to do at any given moment. It clearly demonstrates how digitalisation can optimise workshop performance without adding complexity.”

More information www.lantek.com

Water Jet Sweden continues to demonstrate how advanced waterjet technology can help manufacturers respond to increasingly varied production demands. A Grand Twin system is soon to be delivered to a customer in the Nordics, showcasing a machine concept designed to offer high levels of flexibility, efficiency and reliability.

Featuring two separate X-beams with individual control systems, the Grand Twin configuration gives manufacturers the ability to manage different production requirements on the same machine platform.

One of the key advantages of the Grand Twin concept is the flexibility it offers in day-to-day production. Operators can cut and load at the same time, helping to improve workflow efficiency and reduce non-productive time. Alternatively, the full table area can be used when producing extra-large parts, allowing manufacturers to maximise the available cutting space when required.

For companies working with a wide range of materials, part sizes and batch requirements, this type of adaptability is increasingly important. Production schedules are rarely static, and manufacturers often need equipment that can switch between different priorities without compromising performance or machine utilisation.

The Grand Twin concept supports this by giving users more ways to configure production around their specific workload. Where throughput is the priority, simultaneous cutting and loading can help keep jobs moving. Where component size is the challenge, the entire table area can be used to accommodate larger parts.

This combination of workspace utilisation and process flexibility makes the concept particularly relevant for manufacturers producing large-format components, managing varied customer requirements, or looking to improve overall cutting efficiency.

For manufacturers considering how to increase capacity, improve production flexibility, or handle larger and more varied cutting requirements, the Grand Twin concept is a useful example of what is achievable with a tailored waterjet system.

More information www.waterjetsweden.com

Founded in 1991, Brazilian bakery and kitchen equipment manufacturer Prática has grown from a small family business into an international supplier, supported by continuous investment in advanced manufacturing technology. Central to that growth has been a long-standing partnership with Prima Power, helping the company improve productivity, automate production and expand into global markets.

Based at a 20,000 m² manufacturing facility in Pouso Alegre, Prática was established by brothers Luiz and Andre Rezende to produce energy-efficient bakery equipment for the Brazilian market. As demand increased, the company sought manufacturing technologies that would support higher output and improved quality.

The partnership with Prima Power began in 2004 with the installation of a CO2 laser cutting system, followed by a C5 turret punch press to accelerate punching operations for holes, vents and louvers. Continued growth led Prática to make a major leap in automation in 2012, installing a fully integrated production system comprising a Night Train FMS, FBe Bending Centre, LPe laser/punch combination machine and Shear Genius. The installation was the first of its kind in Brazil.

According to Luiz Rezende, the automated system delivered significant gains in production speed, material handling, storage control and employee safety, while supporting the company’s expansion into international markets, including subsidiaries in Chile and the United States.

More recently, Prática has continued to invest in upgraded Night Train software and hardware, additional manufacturing capacity and new Prima Power equipment, including a Laser Genius+ fibre laser and servo-electric press brakes. The company also works closely with Prima Power’s local service team to maximise machine uptime through preventive maintenance and technical support.

Today, Prática combines advanced automation with sustainable manufacturing to strengthen its competitive position while continuing to develop innovative food processing equipment for customers worldwide.

More information www.primapower.com