Lantek Link - April 2014

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Agile manufacturing Latest News, Product Novelties, Fairs and much more

APRIL 2014

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index

LANTEK LINK is a Magazine of LANTEK SHEET METAL SOLUTIONS

COVER Photo: Margit Bridge

03

EDITORIAL

06

SOLUTIONS

10

TECHNOLOGIES

12

NEWS

14

SERVICES

That power

Budapest (Hungary)

LANTEK MARKETING TEAM Jesús Martínez Marketing Director

Beatriz Prado Production, Publishing, Design

Patricia Ruiz de Sabando Communications and Public Relations

SUBSCRIPTIONS Marketing marketing@lanteksms.com

Specialized suppliers in the metal industry become more agile and cost-effective with Lantek solutions

Cutting of pipes suitable for machine axis

Lantek strengthens its global position with over 14,000 clients worldwide

Lantek Services Lantek Hint: Lantek Expert

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MAIN TOPIC

08

INTERVIEWS

11

INNOVATION

13

CASE STUDIES

15

EXHIBITIONS

Agile manufacturing: competitiveness guaranteed

Alberto Martínez, CEO of Lantek

Industry 4.0

Lantek Integra makes short delivery times a reality at DC Developments

Next Tradeshows

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editorial

W

That power

e have gone through the recession alongside our customers and partners. After this period and all the challenges and difficulties we have had to overcome, we are more empowered, more experienced, and more agile. We have enjoyed improving our skills as well as learning new skills in this new, rapidly changing environment.

Now that the global crisis seems to be coming to an end, we are ready to face this moment of recovery, together with you, our customers, to give you the power: • • • •

The power to grow intelligently, increasing production without losing the agility that was gained during the times of low demand The power to increase your level of management maturity with a broad view of your business and production processes The power to gain flexibility, allowing you to manage the changes in demand that may still be present The power to be faster, to be able to respond appropriately to changing demands and market requirements and to help make you the provider of choice in your markets.

This is power.

Jesús Martínez

Agile manufacturing: competitiveness guaranteed Lantek has positioned itself in the metal industry market to provide solutions that enable companies to accurately adapt their production processes to changing demands.

One of the main challenges for companies in the metal industry is to respond quickly to their customers, making speed and agility a competitive advantage. In today’s changing and competitive market, profitability and price are important. One of the factors that make a difference is the ability to adjust the accuracy in delivery and execution of time calculations.

At Lantek, we use the “Agile manufacturing” concept, which represents a fascinating point of view about how to approach the production process and how to gain a competitive advantage over companies in the field of sheet metal, pipes and profiles.

In the metal industry world, another concept that has gained popularity is the concept of “lean”, which alludes to the ability to work efficiently, with minimum expenses, to obtain results. At Lantek, we believe in “agile” companies that are more adaptive and that can get what they propose to get because, besides being efficient, they are “athletic” (agile). They are able to adapt their processes to the changing environment, as well as adjust their production rates, inventories, and operating costs to the most appropriate values in order to provide as rapid a response as required.

An “agile” company will be in a much better position than its competitors to take advantage of the small windows

of opportunity and the rapid changes in demand that occur today. “Agile manufacturing” means, above all, to have the capacity and ability to respond as rapidly as possible to changing customer demand.

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“Agile” companies define their production processes so that they can be changed quickly, like machinery, raw materials, and the personnel available to manufacture products at the pace needed.

Lantek has all the elements that a metal company needs to become “agile”:

These companies need very robust information systems that are prepared to tackle the high rate of change, to integrate the different company departments, and to provide them with updated real-time information on the status of resources (human, material and financial) that are available at a given moment.

For companies to be “agile”, they must be aware that the competitive advantage means that they need suppliers who are very flexible and integrated into the operation, allowing them to delay buying as long as possible and to have a fully-oriented software platform to sell, produce and deliver -- faster.

Specialized industry suppliers of sheet metal, pipes, and profiles are exactly the right companies to implement the following “agile” concepts: •

Producing as late as possible, to increase production flow (throughput) and boost productivity at critical points or with limitations

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Buying as late as possible, to reduce inventory as well as operating costs

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Nesting as late as possible, thanks to a CAD/CAM tool that is quick, powerful, and efficient in the use of material, to optimize the material needed and reduce production times

By making deliveries at the last moment, we not only ensure that the use of capital is appropriate to the customer’s needs; but also, that the parts are delivered at the moment they are going to be used.

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CAD/CAM systems that incorporate sophisticated computational algorithms and fast techniques with a more efficient use of the material and the completion time for cutting and related machining operations (chamfers, milling, etc.)

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Validation systems that provide an operational management solution for a real-time data capture tool that offers flexibility and the ability to make quick decisions when necessary

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Management systems, not only for manufacturing but for the entire supply process, that incorporate the unique features of this sector by providing the necessary platform to display the status of each element of the value chain and smoothly transfer decisions from one department to another company

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Imperceptible user interface mechanisms that integrate all the systems available to the company, reducing the chances of error in transferring information and accelerating the cycle to a level of excellence

All this is encompassed within one concept, Lantek Factory, which ensures that businesses can not only become “agile” but can also become the preferred choice for customers, thanks to their responsiveness and flexibility.

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solutions Specialized suppliers in the metal industry become more agile and cost-effective with Lantek solutions Lantek provides software products specialized in the efficient management of materials, costs, time management, shipments, and consumption

The metal industry is based on the activity of large manufacturing companies and thousands of specialized suppliers, also known as subcontractors in the field of metal processing, both with the same need to provide an effective, flexible and profitable response to their customers’ needs. Lantek, the world leader in the development and marketing of software solutions for the metal industry, has spent years developing specific tools for manufacturers and suppliers in the industry, allowing it to become highly knowledgeable about its clients’ technological and management requirements.

From experience, Lantek knows that companies that work with third parties require a strict planning process that adapts to change and is perfectly synchronized with

all the company’s departments or areas. Additionally, companies need to manage their own processes and procedures with clients holistically. Following these objectives, Lantek solutions are designed to address and facilitate the entire decision-making process for the specialized suppliers, from receiving the client’s idea to final delivery and invoicing.

“Achieving flexible but efficient planning is a critical factor for many manufacturers of sheet metal, pipes, and profiles. For that reason, our software solutions allow for a better response that can be integrated with all systems implemented at the company and at its clients’ facilities. Moreover, Lantek solutions fit any production environment and are compatible with all existing cutting and punching machines. The

integration of its customers in the value chain is crucial to specialist providers”, explains Alberto Martínez, CEO of Lantek.

With Lantek Solutions, the company manager receives significant support that enables him to control all processes and areas through efficient information management, a design that is focused on his specific environment and resources that greatly reduce costs and delivery times. How? Lantek has different software products that provide the ability to incorporate any format generated by CAD programs into the work platform, to manage nesting provided by the customers and to work with files exported from external systems.

One of the keys to the success of the Lantek solutions is that they are able to integrate various customer and supplier systems, resulting in joint operations in the commercial, design, production, delivery, provisioning, management, and financial management area.

Sell, produce and deliver faster More specifically, the Lantek solutions enable specialized providers to control the format, thickness and type of raw materials in stock, manage scrap, detect stockouts and make purchases at the right time.

They also make production more flexible, with partial or grouped shipments and billings and the ability to change priorities on the go.

“Lantek technology provides a competitive advantage

for the specialized suppliers that have a software platform which is totally focused on selling, producing, and delivering faster. A supplier that has the support of Lantek technology is able to adapt its rate of production, its inventory, and its operational costs according to the needs at any given moment. It helps us improve the business plan, reduce costs and risks and include new orders without harming the production rate”, states Raúl Chopitea, director of R&D. In that sense, Lantek solutions offer options in the commercial area, with specialized tools for business relations management, budgeting, and managing orders.

CAD/CAM solutions developed at Lantek also allow specialized suppliers to calculate the most appropriate nest for each technology, which translates into a better use of material. They can also be integrated with any machine and any auxiliary element, such as robot arms or palletizers available to that company.

Regarding production, Lantek technology facilitates and controls the entry of jobs and change management and provides the ability to establish a comprehensive monitoring of shipments and orders as well as forecasts for expenses and the purchase of raw materials and components that adjust to the production rate and the possible changes that can occur.

The comprehensive Lantek solutions are supported by tools that manage orders, invoices, payments, and receipts, as well as financial and accounting management.

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interviews

Alberto Martínez CEO of Lantek

“Our customers can take a leap and position themselves at the top of their market with Lantek”

Now that the new year is under way, it’s a good time to sit down and chat with Alberto Martinez. In this interview he offers his view on the market, the industry, and the company’s prospects. Alberto joined Lantek in 1999 and has been the Managing Director of Lantek since 2004.

Lantek has just exceeded 14,000 customers in the metal industry. How do you reach a goal like that, given the current situation?

We have been involved in the market for 28 years, with 22 of those years focused on CAD/CAM/MES/ERP for metal processing. Right now, we are the market leader, which allows us to attract customers that others cannot. We also offer complex solutions using advanced technology, developed by Lantek over the years, that other companies on the market do not offer. What’s more, we are the software company with the most vendors and partners, providing us with a large number of annual customers that continues to grow, year after year.

Lantek Factory is the new concept that has been developed to include the business areas of CAD/CAM and Solutions within one business unit. What is the basis for this new concept and what does it bring to customers?

Lantek Factory is a concept that shows our ability to provide a comprehensive solution for all the needs of a company that works in the metal processing industry and whose main activity is the cutting or processing of sheet metal, pipes and profiles.

At this time, and despite competitors trying to offer something similar, this is the only solution on the market that allows the management of all factory or company processes in this sector: budgeting, production management, optimizing customer relations, nesting and generation of parts mechanization, sales process management, warehouse management, optimization of administrative and buying processes and planning of financial resources.

What do you think are Lantek’s competitive advantages over other software companies that operate in countries where Lantek has its own offices?

Lantek occupies a position that is not only global but local, thanks to our efforts in providing personal local service to each and every customer. One of Lantek’s competitive advantages is that we can get to places where others cannot, to meet customer needs faster and to support them in their own language (we provide services in 18 languages) anywhere in the world, as required.

How does Lantek’s future look? They launched the 2013-2015 Strategic Plan. What can you tell us about it?

Under the new Strategic Plan, we intend to consolidate the offices that have made moderate gains in order to increase their percentage of total sales (Mexico, Poland, Turkey, Chile, the USA and China) and to strengthen the offices with traditional markets, such as France, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy and South Korea. In these offices, we have to show customers the new Lantek Factory concept and demonstrate that it is the best way to make their businesses grow.

Lastly, we have strengthened the unit in charge of the OEM-channel with a new Director focused on this business and we have implemented new business policies that will enable manufacturers to have more tools to provide their customers with more advanced software solutions. In this way, manufacturers will be able to successfully confront the current economic situation.

In this sector, they are always talking about innovation, especially in terms of software. How does Lantek innovate and how does this affect customers?

Our intention is to encourage technological innovation with our customers. We are the only ones to have introduced a new concept of innovation which not only allows internal innovation; but, also is instilled in our customers so that they will grow, improve their processes, and become more competitive in the market.

Our customers can take a leap and position themselves at the top of their market, radically changing their business in Lantek’s hands.

As for the machines operating in this sector, they have reached such a high level of technological perfection that the next level consists of optimizing the processes. The next technological leap is to acquire a high added-value

software, like ours, that allows the customer to compete in the market under the best conditions.

Given the current economic situation, what are the market prospects?

The market outlook is improving. We expect a 20% growth, partly due to the improved economic situation observed mainly in the European market. Maybe it’s early to be so optimistic; but, we have observed some indicators that point to a noticeable improvement in the development of the market. In 2013, we experienced structural problems at some of our offices, which we resolved by incorporating changes that make us optimistic for 2014. The first two months of this year have been good so far, but the trends are yet to be confirmed. Significant increases are expected in mid-sized offices that need to be further strengthened and moderate growth has been observed in the offices with traditional markets.

Finally, how do you think the goals set for Lantek this year can be reached? What tools, teams and/or investments will be carried out this year to meet the new challenges?

We believe that our range of Lantek Flex3d (CAM 3D) and Lantek Integra (business management) products will be the drivers. These are the business lines that will grow and that will help us achieve the expected increase this year. These two lines of business are going to help Lantek grow.

The new team focused on OEMs and the more than 20 Lantek offices located around the world allow us to be more responsive in these countries and their areas of influence.

Looking ahead and talking about our offices, we are considering the possibility of establishing new facilities in places like the UAE and Southeast Asia.

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technologies

Iñaki Pinedo Software Engineer

Cutting of pipes suitable for machine axis When machining pipes, the values for each machine axis position must be calculated. It is very important to know the axis combinations that can be used in different pipe machining tools.

We will focus on those that have a rotating axis to rotate the pipe, found in most machines, where the pipe is placed along the X axis.

Typically, machines used for cutting flat sheet metal have this rotating axis. Normally the head has the transport axis: X, Y and Z. For this case, the cutting vectors calculated by the pipe cutting machining must all be normal on the surface of the pipe, except for those inserts from other tubes that are perpendicular to ours. Now, we can place the axis of the pipe inserted on the Z axis by turning our pipe and moving the cutting head over the surface of the pipe to make the cut.

The cutting head can also have 5 axis. In addition to the X, Y and Z axis, it will have two rotating axis located in front of the torch. These two axis allow us to cut “any” vector on the surface of the pipe. In this case, when we cut inserts on the flat surface of the rectangular pipes, we will place it face-up and cut it using the head’s 5 axis.

For machines that are used exclusively for pipe cutting, the cutting head does not usually have the X axis; but, it does have its own pipe clamping system. However, if the machine includes both X axis, we must have the algorithms to calculate the minimum or the most appropriate pipe positioning.

Keep in mind the X axis limits of the torch, the area or possible head collisions during the turns.

If the head in question does not have a Y axis, this will always be calculated in the same Y position (Y=0 on the pipe axis). Therefore, the calculated pipe rotation always brings the positioning to this Y = 0 position. The 4-axis heads do not have a Y axis.

They do have the two rotating axis which do not pivot on the surface of the pipe; but, over the gap that is maintained for the cutting process. This requires the recalculation of the rotation when the torch is tilted so that the beam falls on our surface position.

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innovation

RaĂşl Chopitea R&D Manager

Industry 4.0

Industry is now on the verge of entering into the fourth revolution, also known as Industry 4.0. The first three industrial revolutions followed advances in mechanization, electricity and electronics, and computer systems. This fourth revolution will, of course, support the progress of the Internet and its services.

With the appearance of the Internet of Things (a new vision of our everyday world where every object interfaces and transfers data in order to make us smarter and improve our daily life), the Manufacturing world faces the challenge of connecting to this network using machinery, systems, and storage facilities and converting it into something called Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). CPS will allow us to exchange information, trigger actions, and monitor each other autonomously. Production plants will become Smart Factories, controlling and optimizing the production process.

Going a step further, these embedded systems will be fully integrated with other company business processes, connecting, for example, the manufacturing process to the engineering process, or to the distribution process.

In turn, these factories will be integrated into business

networks that will form a part of a value chain that can be managed in real time.

As you can see, the Industry 4.0 concept has unimaginable potential. This dynamic business process will allow us, for example, to perform real-time changes in production plans or anticipate supply problems, allowing us to respond flexibly to the increasingly demanding requirements (in terms of quality and time) that businesses face today. More importantly, it will allow us to optimize and automate our decision-making based on all the information available.

Today, this Industry 4.0 will address some of the challenges facing our world in the present era, such as the problem of scarce resources. It will optimize productivity and efficiency, as well as the changes that occur on a social level, thus performing more routine tasks for people so they can focus their efforts on the most creative and value-added aspects of their businesses and prolong their working life.

It seems obvious that we still need a few years to make this scenario a reality. Technology must evolve to levels that are still unthinkable today; but, will be crucial for all industrialized countries to adopt in this new revolution, if they are to stay competitive in today’s globalized world.

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news Lantek strengthens its global position with over 14,000 clients worldwide The global leader in developing software solutions for the sheet metal industry has increased its partner and client portfolio by 7% over the past year.

When the company was founded 28 years ago, the multinational Lantek aspired to become a hallmark in international markets for the development of software solutions for the sheet metal and metal structures industry.

In just over two decades, Lantek has consolidated its global presence with the progressive implementation of its own offices and commercial networks that today are a technological hallmark in over 100 countries.

Just in the last year, Lantek has increased its partner and client portfolio by 7%, exceeding 14,000 clients worldwide.

Companies and manufacturers in Germany, China, France, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Norway, Mexico, Russia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Turkey, Argentine, Singapore, the United States, India, Italy, Taiwan, Brazil, Switzerland, Egypt, Chile, Paraguay, Iran, Estonia and Spain, among other countries, use the technology developed in Lantek’s R&D department in Miñano.

each with their own equipment and building space, to support their partners and manufacturers with technical support and marketing and being able to react more rapidly to changes and new requirements.

Lantek’s market, namely sheet metal transformation, is very specialized. In just a few years, the company has made itself into a worldwide hallmark for the development and marketing of CAD/CAM/MES/ERP solutions for manufacturing. As such, Lantek not only provides the technological tools necessary for its clients’ production processes; but, it also develops management programs and improves applications for its technology in order to optimize the performance and efficiency of the software that the company creates and markets, the only company to do so in Spain.

Another key element to the multinational’s success is the total adaptation of its software solutions to new things that machine manufacturers launch and its specialized knowledge of sector requirements. These key features have allowed the company to lead at the technological forefront of the sheet metal transformation machinery/ tool sector. Today, the company’s international business alone represents 80% of the revenues from the multinational’s site in Miñano.

Siemens, Tata, Suzuki, Alstom, Airbus, ThyssenKrupp, Hyundai, JCB, Iveco, Coperfil, Fiat, Koxka, Liebherr and Otis, among other firms, all rely on Lantek products and services in order to automate their machines and maximize their production processes. Furthermore, Lantek is a partner of Solid Edge®, SolidWorks® and Autodesk Inventor®.

Personalized service in 18 languages This global position is the product of Lantek’s effort to go where few do, with the opening of branch offices,

Lantek is proud to provide global services in 18 languages, support in any time zone, and have personalized and on-site assistance in any part of the world where it is required.

“Our competitive advantage lies in the knowledge that, for many years, Lantek has kept up-to-date on the technological particularities of the various machines that exist in the global sheet metal market, whether they be for sheets, tubes or profiles. We can offer a personalized response to each type of partner, from the most conservative to the most state-of-the-art, guaranteeing the best results for our manufacturing partners and their end clients. We try to ensure that our clients can take full advantage of the solutions that we have to offer, supporting us in mutual knowledge in order to improve the company’s processes and costs,” emphasizes Alberto Martínez, Manager of Lantek.

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case studies Lantek Integra makes short delivery times a reality at DC Developments

DC Developments relies entirely on Lantek Integra ERP to achieve the rapid turnarounds that make it a highly successful subcontracting company.

Based in Norwich, it has five laser cutting machines including a 4kw Mazak 612, an impressive range of fabrication machinery and a full machine shop which includes a Mazak Nexus machining centre and Mazak Super Quickturn turning centres.

DC Developments services a wide range of markets including motor sport, agricultural, medical and automotive, laser cutting stainless steel up to 20mm thick, aluminium up to 12 mm and mild steel up to 25mm. Once parts are cut, they may then go on to have folding, machining and welding operations carried out, enabling the company to deliver complex assemblies to its customers.

Formed 34 years ago, DC Developments installed Lantek Expert CAD/CAM software in 2002 and, as well as its subcontracting operation, has a marine division specialising in parts for pleasure boats such as stern gear, catches and railings. The addition of Lantek Integra ERP has enabled it to integrate its CAD/CAM with the overall management of the company, moving it closer to the Lantek Factory concept, where every aspect of manufacture is linked and coordinated in real time.

Matthew Cambell explains, “The system starts with a quotation, which we prepare from the customer’s drawing. Once the order is received the bill of materials and sequence of operations, laser cutting, machining and fabrication, is logged in Lantek Integra. Purchasing and stock levels are handled by the system, which generates alarms for low stock levels. Last year we managed everything within the company from paper to sheet metal, bar material and nuts and bolts. The job sheet from Lantek Integra goes to the laser machines where operations completed and lost parts are recorded on a shop floor terminal, allowing us to regroup shortages as necessary. Finally, Lantek Integra generates delivery notes and invoices, exporting information to our Sage accounting system.”

Efficient handling of remnants is an important benefit of the Lantek software as, to achieve the short deliveries it promises, DC Developments sometimes has to laser cut partially filled sheets. Not only does Lantek Integra keep track of the remaining material, but it also keeps track of the test certificates associated with each sheet to provide essential documentation to the customer.

Currently DC Developments uses separate job sheets for its machine and fabrication shops, but it plans to automate these and move to real time data collection for the whole factory, in line with the Lantek Factory concept. Matthew Cambell says, “We are currently investigating the use of bar codes with Lantek Integra which we anticipate will enable us to automate every aspect of our business, reducing administrative effort further and giving us live information about costs and the progress of parts through the workshop. The system is an essential part of our operation.”

Matthew Cambell Managing Director “We offer our customers very fast delivery for their parts and sub-assemblies, which means we have to have highly efficient systems for quotations, job management, stock management, purchasing and invoicing. Lantek Integra manages our whole operation, and we would not be able to offer 2-3 day deliveries on laser cut parts without it.”

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services

Lantek Hint

- Lantek Expert

Do you know about the key sequences that Lantek Expert offers to streamline common operations and reduce work times?

Some typical key combinations: •

Press the middle button while moving the mouse to move the window that contains the drawing.

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Press the right button to perform the following actions:

- Show the context menu for a mechanization element. (Drawing Module)

- Show the mechanization window for a mechanization element. (A&M Module)

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Double click the middle (central) button: Zoom all

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Double click the left button on the mouse to show the property window, if a geometry element has been selected.

Key sequences for geometry selection: •

Press the middle button while moving the mouse to select all the geometry elements that are mouse-hovered.

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Press the left button. Start the window-capture selection if no element has been selected.

Key combinations for trap selection: •

Press the middle button on the mouse to close the trap selection (joining the initial point with the last selected point).

To learn more about key sequences, click on more information or send us an email at: marketing@lanteksms.com

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exhibitions • Every year, Lantek is committed to being present at the sector’s most important fairs, both at a national and international level.

• Request your invitation by scanning the QR code.

IMTEX 2014

TECHNI SHOW 2014

BANGALORE - INDIA 23-28 JANUARY

UTRECHT - HOLLAND 11-14 MARCH

Next Tradeshows

FABTECH MEXICO 2014

LAMIERA 2014

BIENAL MÁQUINA HERRAMIENTA 2014

MAY 06-08

MAY 14-17

JUNE 02-07

MEXICO DF- MEXICO

BOLOGNA - ITALY

BILBAO - SPAIN

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Advanced Manufacturing with Lantek Factory

info@lanteksms.com

Lantek Factory is a concept developed by Lantek that comprises all the plants that process sheet metal, tubes, and beams. With Lantek solutions, the customer fully manages their activities to achieve greater levels of competitiveness and productivity. These companies manage their work implementing the Lantek systems and integration mechanisms in order to have absolute realtime control of everything that is going on in the business.

www.lanteksms.com