Schwarzwald Eisen has successfully responded to the increasing demands of the steel market by installing a saw-drill combination machine, a shot-blasting system and an automated transport system. Working closely with machine provider Kaltenbach ensured quick and efficient project was implementation. Permanent support from the service helpdesk keeps the system up and running, and demonstrates the reliability of Kaltenbach solutions, which steel supplier Schwarzwald Eisen has been relying on for over 20 years.

The old system was dismantled and the new one installed in a very short time. To integrate the machines into the production hall in the optimal way, special attention was paid to a space-saving and effective arrangement of the saw-drill combination (KDP 736 and KBP 701), blasting (GIETART ECO Blaster 1504) and transport systems (roller conveyors with cross transports).

As a whole, the system saws, drills, mills, blasts and cleans a variety of different profiles required in steel processing. Processing quality is assured for both small and large dimensions. The Kaltenbach transport system connects the individual work steps with each other to achieve a continuous and efficient material flow. On top of this, Kaltenbach offers support from qualified service technicians at any time via the helpdesk. The remote diagnosis option in particular allows the company to react quickly in the event of a fault and ensure operational readiness.

“Since the commissioning of our first Kaltenbach sawing system over 20 years ago in Lahr, we’ve always trusted in the quality and reliability of the machines,” says Alexander Hatt
CEO of Schwarzwald Eisen. “Installing further systems in Freiburg and the consistently positive experience with the service and help desk have confirmed our decision to rely on Kaltenbach.”

More information www.kaltenbach.com

Sawing equipment manufactured by German company Kasto has been used by Austrian tube stockholder Karl Mertl Handelsges in Schwechat since 1970, when it installed an EBS 400 U hacksaw that is still in use today for maintenance and repair. The company is currently managed by the third and fourth generations of the Gruscher family, with both daughters active in management, as well as son-in-law Jürgen Spannraft, who has been CEO since 2019.

In a 30,000 m² warehouse, the 90-employee stockholder stores 8000 tonnes of steel tube, which is mainly 7 m long, from 3 to 660 mm in diameter and of wall thickness from 0.5 to 100 mm. Kasto bandsaws and a modern hacksaw cut the stock to length for delivery to customers throughout Europe.

When an old manual storage system with 1012 cassettes was bursting at the seams, Mertl built a new warehouse and installed a Kasto Unicompact automated honeycomb storage system equipped with 2633 cassettes and served by an overhead gantry crane. Additionally, extra automatic bandsaws provided increased cutting capacity and efficiency. The system is connected to Mertl’s ERP system so that orders may be processed without human intervention.

“It was not a difficult decision to opt for Kasto for this round of investment,” recalls Marie Gruscher. “By then, we were already familiar with the quality of the products and service. Kasto’s recommended solution was also the best fit for our requirements and we were able to connect it seamlessly to our packaging machine.”

She adds that the new facility not only provides increased storage but also better operational safety, as goods come to the person and not the other way around.

More information www.kasto.com