In a machine shop, few things are more valuable than preventative maintenance for a bandsaw. However, bandsaws are often considered “support equipment” and manufacturing plants tend to neglect their maintenance. This is a mistake, reports bandsaw manufacturer Sthemma – which manufacturers the established Thomas range – as regular maintenance not only lowers operating costs but also increases productivity and reduces the frustrations associated with breakdowns.

Every saw in the workshop should have a maintenance schedule. This schedule should be written on a whiteboard near the machine, with spaces to record the date and type of work performed. Inspections and maintenance generally take no more than half an hour, but this small investment of time will pay off with a longer lifespan for the machine and blade.

Manufacturers should regularly check the working parts of the bandsaw. Making the right adjustments will ensure an accurate cut and prevent any damage to the machine. This activity includes checking the belt wheels, blade tension, blade guides and wheel bearings.

Plants should also clean splinters from the clamp jaws regularly, especially after each saw use. Twice a year, check the jaws for wear and, if necessary, repair or replace them. A worn jaw compromises the alignment and accuracy of the cut.

If the saw uses a hydraulic system for power and clamping, manufacturers should check the oil level regularly. Low levels can cause air to enter the lines, compromising the entire system. Factories should also keep the bandsaw’s coolant tank full and cool, and visually inspect bearings and seals every six months, looking for oil leaks or damaged components.

More information www.sthemma.com

Västerås-based Stena Stål, a steel service centre that processes and distributes steel to a wide range of industries, has installed a fully automated production line to increase capacity, reduce lead times, and offer a wider range of processing services from one location.

Stena Stål now provides blasting, painting, cutting, drilling, milling, marking and measuring, all under one roof. This eliminates unnecessary material handling, making production faster and more efficient. Customers benefit from shorter lead times, improved precision and greater flexibility.

Supplied by Voortman, the machines powering Stena Stål’s MSI line include two VB1250 bandsaw machines, a V631 high-speed drilling and milling machine, a VP2500 painting machine, and a VSB2500 shot blasting machine.

At Voortman, a fully automated production line is called Multi System Integration (MSI). This approach connects multiple machines and software solutions into one streamlined process, minimising manual handling and maximising efficiency. Stena Stål’s new MSI line includes various machines, all seamlessly connected in one automated system.

Together with the machines, DIGI-Supply and DIGI-Evi software suites were sold to Stena Stål. These software solutions reduce manual input in work preparation, limit mistakes, provide better insights and save material. All business applications are fully integrated for a seamless workflow.

Voortman will continue to support Stena Stål through an ongoing partnership. One key element of this is Red Tooling System (RTS), which ensures that the right tools are always available at the right time. Additionally, Stena Stål benefits from Voortman’s Service Label Agreements, which provide structured, proactive maintenance for maximum uptime and long-term reliability of the new MSI line.

More information www.voortman.net

With a symbolic cut that reflects the company’s core business, the new production facility of Kaltenbach Cutting Systems GmbH (KCS) was officially inaugurated recently. Instead of the traditional ribbon-cutting, a circular saw – manufactured in-house – cut through a metal bar, activated at the push of a button by Lörrach’s Mayor, Jörg Lutz. Afterwards, the company invited all employees to a convivial gathering with drinks. 

Kaltenbach Cutting Systems was founded in October 2023 following a carve-out from Kaltenbach GmbH + Co KG. The new plant in Lörrach employs around 50 people and produces semi- and fully automatic universal saws, drilling systems, length measuring and transport equipment – all made in Germany. Furthermore, the company says its comprehensive overhaul of used machines sets new standards in sustainability. They not only look like new but are also ready for another several decades of operation. 

The new production facility is a flagship project within the Kaltenbach Group. The specially developed, compact manufacturing concept is based on the latest lean principles and sets the benchmark for future plants within the group. 

“Due to strong order volumes, we went straight into production,” reports managing director Rene Eger. “The implementation of our lean manufacturing approach is working exceptionally well: shorter paths, faster production times and a significantly better overview of ongoing projects.”

In his speech, Mayor Jörg Lutz acknowledged the importance of Kaltenbach as a long-standing company rooted in Lörrach, before adding: “The founding and development of Kaltenbach Cutting Systems GmbH is a strong sign of innovation and future-oriented thinking in our region.” 

More information www.kaltenbach.com

DoALL Sawing Products has named Craig Freking as its new president following the retirement of Kurt Plechaty after many years of dedicated service. The move marks a new chapter for DoALL, with Freking’s leadership ushering the company into its next phase of growth and innovation.

Freking joined DoALL Sawing Products in 2023 as operations manager, quickly showcasing his leadership capabilities and strategic vision. His efforts and impact were so notable that, in the autumn of 2024, Freking was promoted to director of operations. His forward-thinking approach and ability to inspire teams made him a natural choice for the role of president, where he will continue to guide DoALL toward even greater success.

Plechaty’s leadership over the years was pivotal in shaping the success and future of DoALL Sawing Products. His tenure as president saw significant advancements in operational processes, product diversification and global market positioning. Plechaty’s commitment to continuous improvement and his engineering expertise helped establish DoALL as a major player in the sawing industry.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with a talented and dedicated team during my time at DoALL,” he says. “I’m proud of the strides we’ve made in growing the company, and I have full confidence that Craig and the team will continue to build on our successes. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for DoALL.”

Adds Freking: “I’m incredibly honoured to step into this role. We have a fantastic team, and I look forward to continuing the work Kurt started. Together, we will build on our legacy of providing high-quality sawing solutions to our customers and driving the success of DoALL in the years ahead.”

More information www.doallsaws.com

Neumeister Hydraulik has modernised its sawing centre and now relies on a fully automatic system from Behringer. Thanks to the new system, cylindrical tubes can now be sawn fully automatically with sections stacked automatically in pallet cages – an important step towards efficiency and future-proofing.

Neumeister Hydraulik was founded in 1929 by Otto Neumeister in Neuenstadt am Kocher, where it today employs around 300 people. The company specialises in the development and manufacture of hydraulic cylinders for lifting heavy loads. It produces around 100,000 hydraulic cylinders per year for a wide range of applications. For cylinder production, mainly round tubes with outer diameters of 50 to 250 mm are sawn. The tube sections usually have a length of 1 to 1.2 m. In addition, many short sections with a length of around 20 mm are required for the production of flanges.

Neumeister opted for a modern chain magazine that enables entire bundles to be efficiently loaded and easily separated, reducing crane movements and simplifying operation. In addition, the magazine has a remnant storage system to divert long remnants back to the infeed side and store them again. The entire material handling process is fully automated.

At the heart of the new sawing centre is the Behringer HBM440A-PC-E bandsaw with a cutting range of 440 mm. Thanks to the PC control system, it is designed for fully automatic operation and is easy to use. The SpeedCutting technology of the HBM440A, in combination with dynamic process control for pipes,  increases system throughput. The machine continuously adjusts the saw feed to the material cross-section and thus ensures optimum utilisation of the tool.

More information www.behringer.net