PRODUCT REVIEWS
Flexible fibre laser cutting
Above and below: The V353 fibre laser cutting system.
Large XXL plates, weld-ready parts and lights-out operation: the Voortman V353 largeformat fibre laser cutting machine has been designed for high-efficiency, autonomous plate processing.
“ Powered by a 15- up to 40kW laser, the V353 offers precision cuts, including bevel cuts of up to 45 degrees, with minimal operator input. It can process material thicknesses of up to 75mm( 3 inches). The modular cutting bed stretches up to 36 metres( 120 feet). It gives users the freedom to load multiple plates and keep production flowing without pause. No waiting, no interruptions. Just continuous cutting at full speed,” Voortman explained.
“ With advanced plate buffering and automatic nozzle changers, the V353 smoothly transitions between materials and thicknesses, making 24 / 7 production highly efficient. It is designed to deliver ready-to-use, finished, weld-ready parts with minimal finishing,” Voortman added.
Those who want to do even more on the same machine can add drilling, tapping and milling to the V353 with the V210 upgrade.
This integrated unit mounts on the same rails, transforming the laser- cutting machine into a hybrid plate-processing system. This upgrade helps Voortman’ s customers to manufacture more finished products with their machines, cutting their costs and increasing overall productivity. The machine’ s long-bed gantry style design of up to 36m enables continuous multi-plate processing in different plate thicknesses. Larger plates can also be processed, allowing optimised nesting and better material yield.
“ Autonomy is improved with automated plate buffering and measurement, plus a 24-position automatic nozzle changer for uninterrupted lights-out operation,” added Voortman.
“ Whether handling small jobs or XXL plates, the V353 gives users flexibility, autonomy and the ability to manage everything in-house. No more outsourcing. No more limitations,” concluded the Dutch manufacturer. n
www. voortman. net
Box gauge for aluminium hot rolling mills
ABB has launched a new version of its Millmate Thickness Gauge( MTG) technology that brings precision aluminium thickness measurement to the final stages of the hotrolling process.
“ The new MTG Box Gauge extends the proven performance of the MTG technology into hot-rolling environments. MTG Box Gauge measures aluminium strip thickness below 8mm at the tail end of hot rolling, where accurate data is crucial for ensuring product quality and production efficiency. Protection against the demanding conditions encountered in hot-rolling processes is ensured by a refined IP66 sealing that shields the interior sensor components from contact with emulsions used to manage friction and control temperatures during rolling,” said ABB.
The new design also features an optimised internal air flow that channels cool air towards heat-sensitive electronic boards, while expelling warm air through the base of the unit. This can reduce the operating temperature of the transmitting coil by as much as 40 ° C, said ABB, contributing to greater durability and improved efficiency.
“ Using our pulsed eddy current technology, MTG Box Gauge avoids the complexity and safety issues associated with X-ray systems. The MTG Box Gauge also
MTG Box Gauge in aluminium rolling mill.
enables precise single-side measurement without the need to mount sensors on both sides of the strip. This not only simplifies installation and maintenance but also reduces space requirements in the mill, making it particularly valuable where access to the underside of the strip is limited,” added ABB.
Unlike traditional thickness gauges that require recalibration for different aluminium alloys, the MTG Box Gauge is designed to deliver consistent, accurate results regardless of alloy type. This alloy independence helps manufacturers to simplify set-up, reduce downtime and maintain continuous rolling across mixed production schedules.
“ Maintaining precise and reliable thickness measurements during the final stage of hotrolling has traditionally been a complex task for aluminium manufacturers,” said Lars
Karlsson, global product line manager at ABB’ s Measurement & Analytics division.“ Our MTG Box Gauge is the ultimate solution for aluminium hot rolling mills. Building on its proven success in cold rolling mills, this innovative factory-calibrated gauge offers improved durability to handle the toughest conditions. With alloy independence, safe technology, minimal maintenance and singleside measurements, it ensures precision, reliability and efficiency in aluminium hot rolling processes.”
Award winner
In October 2025, ABB received the“ Manufacturer of the Year” award at the Instrumentation & Electronics Awards for helping the aluminium industry to optimise production, reduce waste and achieve decarbonisation goals.
The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’ s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalises industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs. n
www. abb. com / global / en
54 | ismr. net | ISMR December 2025 / January 2026