INDUSTRY NEWS
TRUMPF acquires Lantek
Sheet metal specialist TRUMPF has acquired software house , Lantek .
“ TRUMPF is opening up to customers ’ production ecosystems with this acquisition ,” said Tom Schneider , managing director of machine tool development at TRUMPF . “ Our customers ’ process is our focus - with Lantek , we comprehensively cover the sheet metal process chain , even with machines from different manufacturers . In this way , we are taking another big step towards efficient and connected sheet metal production and enriching our Smart Factory solution portfolio .”
After participating in the development of umati , the open machine data interface , the development of Omlox , the open positioning standard and cooperation with intralogistics expert , Jungheinrich , on automated guided vehicles , the agreement with Lantek is a further step for TRUMPF ‘ towards process optimisation and connectivity for sheet metal production of the future ’ it told ISMR .
Lantek was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain . The company operates with 20 locations in 14 countries . More than 220 employees develop , implement and maintain software for sheet metal and metalworking with cutting technologies . This includes CAD , CAM , MES and ERP solutions .
Lantek will continue to operate under its current name . Integration under the TRUMPF brand is not planned and Lantek continues ‘ committed to neutrality and independence from all machine tool builders ’. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the month .
In a year of COVID-19 recession , Lantek closed 2020 with record sales figures and customer numbers . Turnover reached 21.3 million euros and the number of active users at the end of the year was 25,747 .
Lantek ’ s ability to support remote working was exemplified with the launch of Lantek v2020 under the slogan “ Never Stop Manufacturing ”. This new version virtualises the work of teams and allows customers to continue using Lantek solutions , wherever they might be . Lantek ’ s Solutions Division , focused on the Digital Factory and advanced manufacturing , also launched Lantek Analytics and Lantek iQuoting , two operational services hosted in the Cloud environment under the SaaS model .
Lantek recently opened a new Centre of Excellence in Bilbao , Spain , with offices in the Iberdrola Tower . n
Automated dispatch assistants at BENTELER
BENTELER is increasingly driving the digitalisation of production sites as part of its own Industry 4.0 strategy . In the dispatch centre at its Schloss Neuhaus site in Germany , intra-logistic operational processes are automated and made even more productive with automatic guided vehicles ( AGVs ). This automation also reduces transport damage and increases occupational safety .
" The automatic guided vehicles are completely automatically controlled forklifts . Without the intervention of an employee , they take over the transport of dispatch units and the lifting of loads into our rack storage ," explained Thomas Michels , head of the Schloss Neuhaus and Paderborn Plant Network . “ This saves waiting times at the machines , increases productivity and improves the safety of our employees . With the
www . lantek . com
automated dispatch assistants , BENTELER is taking a big step towards a digital future .”
Following a successful test phase in threeshift operation , the system has proved itself in everyday usage . The scope of application of the AGVs has been extended with new functions ; production scrap is now disposed of fully automatically . At peak periods , up to 250 trips are made per day and 100 tons are moved . The vehicles can lift loads of two tons at heights of up to five metres automatically .
" We have continuously improved the system over the past months . At locations susceptible to failure , the AGV ' s track guidance is now provided by magnetic points ," explained Felix Schmidt , project manager for the introduction of the AGVs . " This type of navigation is new and much less sensitive than the optical version ." n
RBI Mississippi steel processing .
New CTL line for MSP 01
Mississippi Steel Processing ( MSP ), in Columbus , Mississippi ( USA ), recently installed a Red Bud Industries 0.625 ” ( 16mm ) x 84 ” ( 2130mm ) x 80,000lb ( 36,000kg ) heavy gauge cut-to-length ( CTL ) line with 40 ’ ( 12,000mm ) stretcher leveller . The hybrid system has the ability to operate in start / stop mode when running thicker materials and in looping mode for 0.375 ” ( 9.5mm ) and thinner material . Loop mode significantly increases productivity and throughput while stretching .
The stretcher leveller features Quick Draw technology to produce rapid cycle times . In addition , the unit also features Red Bud Industries ’ SUREGRIP ® long life metallic grippers that prevent slippage when running high-strength and / or oily material . The grippers typically do not require changing for up to a year or more , and the technology eliminates the need to use costly cardboard inserts .
“ The new equipment consists of a dual cone uncoiler ; rotating brush dust collector system ; thread system ; 40 ’ ( 12,000mm ) stretcher leveller ; servo roll feed ; variable rake shear with quick change blades and a heavy gauge drop stacker with new high-capacity floor conveyors ,” Red Bud Industries told ISMR .
Mississippi Steel Processing ( MSP ) handles a wide range of hot rolled steel on cut-tolength levelling and slitting lines . Its facility in Columbus is 300,000 ft 2 , including 84,000 ft 2 master coil storage , 134,000 ft 2 finished goods storage and 7200 ft 2 of office space . A major expansion in 2014 expanded the original 2010 facility by 67 % and added significant new processing capacity to shorten lead times and handle heavier gauge material . Liberty Steel Products , Inc ., located in North Jackson , Ohio , is the controlling partner of MSP .
“ Our intelligent automation makes inventory , job status , QC and shipment information immediately available to our customers ,” added MSP . n
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16 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR April 2021