INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Partnership Powered by Innovation: Schuhmacher Metalltechnik

Since 2007, Schuhmacher Metalltechnik and LVD have worked side by side to optimise performance on the shop floor. Beginning with LVD press brakes, the co-operation has evolved into a journey of transformation, including two Taurus 24-m laser cutting machines and an Ulti-Form robotic bending system.

As a trusted name in sheet metal fabrication, Schuhmacher Metalltechnik offers end-to-end expertise, from concept development to full-scale series production. A renowned neighbour and key customer is Liebherr, a global manufacturer of construction machinery, cranes, and industrial equipment.

“We’re a family-owned company, founded in 1953, with over 70 years of experience in sheet metal processing,” says Stefan Zimmermann, managing director of Schuhmacher Metalltechnik. “As a subcontractor processing metal blanks from 1 to 200 mm thick, we combine expert advice, efficient execution and high-tech production.” 

In 2022, Schuhmacher Metalltechnik took a bold step forward with the Taurus FL, a fibre laser cutting system designed for big ambitions. The system features a cutting length of 24 m and processes sheets up to 3.3 m wide and 30 mm thick with ease. No more time-consuming repositioning, just pure efficiency at scale. One of the Taurus’ key advantages is its bevel cutting capability.

“With the Taurus, we can integrate weld seam preparation quickly and precisely during cutting,” states Zimmermann.

This feature delivers a major competitive advantage: secondary steps are eliminated and automation takes over. The impact was so significant that the company ordered a second Taurus shortly after, doubling capacity and unlocking new levels of flexibility.

To tackle the shortage of skilled labour and optimise production, Schuhmacher has also invested in a robotic bending cell. Powered by the CADMAN®-SIM software, Ulti-Form automates programming and opens doors to new possibilities.

More information www.lvdgroup.com

German Machine Tool Orders See 15% Rise in Q1

Following three difficult years, the German machine tool industry can breathe a first sigh of relief: incoming orders increased by 15% in Q1 2026. Nevertheless, the situation remains challenging. Production, exports and employment continue to fall, while the conflict in the Middle East is leading to greater uncertainty and higher costs. “The situation appears to have bottomed out, although we’re nowhere near to reversing the trend,” states Bernhard Geis, head of economics and statistics at the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association). “The coming months will show whether the recovery is more permanent.”

More information www.vdw.de

Auto parts supplier opens Pune manufacturing plant

Feintool has officially inaugurated its first production facility in India, located in the industrial hub of Pune. Production is now being ramped up to fulfil initial customer orders, with a focus on fine-blanked automotive components. At the opening ceremony, CEO Lars Reich underlined the strategic relevance of the new site: “Feintool is proud to meet its customers’ demand for local production. We’re in the right place at the right time to benefit sustainably from the momentum in the Indian automotive industry and capitalise on further opportunities in the country’s growing industrial markets.”

More information www.feintool.com

BodorGenius Third-Fen 10 kW-Class Laser Head Unveiled

Bodor Laser has launched its BodorGenius third-generation 10 kW-class laser head, a major in-house development designed to deliver higher precision, greater reliability and improved productivity in high-power laser cutting applications.

As the core component of a laser cutting system, the laser head has a direct impact on cutting quality, machine stability and long-term operating costs. Developed to meet growing demand for high-volume, high-intensity metal processing, the new design addresses many of the limitations associated with conventional laser heads, including contamination, accuracy drift and maintenance requirements.

A key feature is an upgraded sealing system incorporating a dual-layer drawer-style structure and twin protective lens barriers. The design prevents dust, smoke, oil and metal debris from entering the optical path, while improving fault tolerance by protecting critical components even if the outer lens is damaged. The result is longer component life, lower maintenance costs and greater process reliability.

Bodor has also redesigned the laser head’s internal architecture by separating the clean optical chamber from the transmission structure, reducing wear, contamination and accuracy loss. Following more than 1000 hours of extreme-condition testing, the design maintained stable cutting performance with no internal debris generation.

To improve reliability, the laser head undergoes extensive dynamic vibration testing, simulating thousands of kilometres of transportation and more than 15,000 high-frequency vibration cycles before shipment. An integrated intelligent safety system continuously monitors operating conditions, providing early warnings to help prevent abnormal machine operation.

The new laser head also benefits from an industrial ultrasonic three-stage cleaning process during manufacture, ensuring maximum optical cleanliness from the outset.

The launch reflects Bodor Laser’s continued investment in proprietary laser technology and reinforces its commitment to advancing the performance, precision and reliability of high-power laser cutting systems.More information www.bodor.com

Mikron is a driving force behind impeller manufacture

United Machining says its Mikron Mill P U range of simultaneous five-axis machining centres provides manufacturers with an advanced solution for the efficient production of complex open, semi-open and closed impellers.

Impeller machining is a demanding process that requires precise control of complex blade geometries through roughing, semi-finishing and finishing operations. Achieving the required dimensional accuracy and surface finish, particularly on thin-walled and highly contoured blades, depends on the seamless integration of machine tool performance, cutting strategies and toolpath optimisation.

The rigid design of the Mikron Mill P U series, combined with high-torque motors, direct-drive Step Tec spindles, advanced thermal compensation and automated calibration systems, enables manufacturers to machine complex impellers faster and more accurately. During roughing, advanced five-axis strategies optimise tool engagement and maximise material removal rates, while semi-finishing creates a consistent stock allowance for stable finishing operations.

Finishing remains the most demanding stage, requiring uninterrupted toolpaths and precise tool orientation to achieve high-quality blade surfaces. The machine’s simultaneous five-axis capability ensures smooth, continuous movement, reducing vibration, improving surface finish and shortening cycle times.

Torque motors fitted as standard provide exceptional rigidity, stability and vibration damping, while eliminating mechanical wear associated with conventional drive systems. Automated Machine Calibration (AMC) further enhances accuracy by simplifying machine calibration and reducing the potential for human error.

To minimise downtime, Machine Spindle Protection (MSP) instantly detects collisions and safely stops the machining process, helping to prevent spindle damage and preserve machine geometry. High-performance Step Tec spindles deliver the speed, power and reliability required for both aluminium and titanium machining applications.

Together, these technologies enable the Mikron Mill P U series to provide the stability, precision, productivity and process security required for modern impeller manufacturing.

More information www.gfms.com