LNK link
Global Release 2014 Latest News, Product Novelties, Fairs and much more
JULY 2014
LNK
index
LANTEK LINK is a Magazine of LANTEK SHEET METAL SOLUTIONS
COVER Photo: Margit Zhivopisny
03
EDITORIAL
04
MAIN TOPIC
06
SOLUTIONS
08
INTERVIEWS
10
TECHNOLOGIES
INNOVATION
EasySnap™ vs ShearButton™
11
Who wants to live forever?
12
NEWS
13
CASE STUDIES
14
SERVICES
15
EXHIBITIONS
Maturity
Moscow (Russia)
LANTEK MARKETING TEAM Jesús Martínez Marketing Director
Beatriz Prado Production, Publishing, Design
Workload Monitoring
Lantek launches new version of its software solutions for the metal industry
Asier Ortiz CTO Chief Technology Officer
Patricia Ruiz de Sabando Communications and Public Relations
SUBSCRIPTIONS Marketing marketing@lanteksms.com
Lantek, a strategic partner providing software solutions for the shipbuilding industry
Lantek Services Lantek Hint: Lantek Expert
Jorgensen Saves Significant Cost with CY Fiber Laser and Lantek Sheet Metal Software
Next Tradeshows
LNK
editorial
T
Maturity he definition of maturity is a quality possessed by those who have finally grown up and attained wisdom, good sense, and sound reasoning.
In a company, this quality translates into the attainment of a standard in performing its tasks, such that it adapts perfectly to the operational circumstances in terms of productivity, flexibility, and efficiency. This quality allows companies to predict their most likely pattern of behavior. It offers their clients peace of mind with regard to the accuracy of any orders, both in terms of time and cost. This means being flexible when necessary and being consistent when the circumstances allow. Lantek understands that a company’s degree of maturity is key to its competitiveness and survival in an everchanging, highly complex market. This is why it creates all its products and solutions with one goal in mind: to raise the degree of maturity of our clients. Simply by incorporating one of our systems or solutions, companies can benefit from all of our experience and knowledge spanning over 28 years and over 15,000 clients. By implementing these solutions, they can begin to ‘mature’ their own productive processes through the extraction of any current significant data, drawing the conclusions which will help them to improve and to achieve higher performance ratings. Predictability in the definition of delivery dates and costs, efficiency in the use of resources, and control of the organization’s productive processes are the three key points for attaining operational excellence. Maturity.
Jesús Martínez
Lantek launches new version of its software solutions for the metal industry The multinational software company´s new portfolio offers advances in calculating nesting and machining and improving manufacturing management that can be integrated with all CAD market solutions Lantek, world leader in the development and marketing of integrated CAD/CAM/ERP solutions for the machine tool industry, recently unveiled its new 2014 portfolio., The portfolio includes innovative improvements in CAM 2D and CAM 3D solutions, manufacturing management, and mechanisms for integration which, together, facilitate the user´s experience, reduce the time and materials required for manufacturing, and increase the options for integration with the more established CAD solutions on the market. “Lantek has the largest software portfolio in the industry and can offer a comprehensive solution, in an advanced and technological environment, for every function and department of a company. The ultimate goal is that everything that happens in the company is available for management and monitoring in real time, with integrity and guaranteed access capability. In
short, we provide innovative solutions that significantly simplify the processes within a company,” explains Alberto Martínez, Director General of Lantek. “Lantek has the largest software portfolio in the industry and can offer a comprehensive solution, in an advanced and technological environment, for every function and department of a company. The ultimate goal is that everything that happens in the company is available for management and monitoring in real time, with integrity and guaranteed access capability. In short, we provide innovative solutions that significantly simplify the processes within a company,” explains Alberto Martínez, Director General of Lantek. More accurate and more productive nesting Lantek continues to innovate its formulation of the nesting algorithms that lead to increased business productivity, with new options that include: defining
ranges by thickness, destruction of holes, and improved drilling and overlap technology.
communication solutions between the factory and office, as well as other improvements.
Additionally, the multinational software company has strengthened its technological capacity to handle the latest generation of machines, such as fiber-optic laser cutting machines and machines combined with milling.
One of the hallmarks of the Lantek technology identity is its versatility and compatibility with all the solutions implemented in the metal industry. The Lantek Flex3d Addins product provides enhanced integration with the most popular CAD software solutions on the market, such as: Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor and Active Job. Additionally, Lantek has expanded its Masterlink integration mechanism options for managing imported parts during the nesting process and offers a full catalogue of online services through its powerful API Avantiaservices, for the integration of production and the inventory.
The new Lantek portfolio also includes advanced CAM 3D for specialized machining of tubes and pipes, significant improvements for efficient use of material and for selection of nesting criteria and preparation of tubes and beams. Lantek Flex3d solutions add flexible management of instructions and different cycle types for machining parts on flat or curved surfaces, among other new functionalities in the 2014 catalogue. Price calculation by thickness and format in real-time Another axis of the technology offering developed by Lantek is the set of functionalities and solutions for manufacturing in the workshop environment, grouped under the Lantek Workshop range (Lantek Manager, Lantek Wos and Lantek Workshop Capture). The 2014 catalogue includes improvements in material and cost management, with material price calculation according to thickness range and format, automatic updating of material price based on purchase history and advanced calculation of time for operations without cuts, among other innovations. Furthermore, Lantek has enhanced its real-time workshop monitoring functionalities, with detailed monitoring of machine workloads and direct
“Not only do we provide the technological tools necessary for our customers´ production processes, we also develop management and improvement programs which are applied to our technology to optimize the performance and efficiency of the software we sell. Companies benefit from the full potential offered by Lantek, when completely adapted to their technical and productive needs and specificities. Our technology is capable of mimicking the way each company works and of bringing innovation to our customers´ processes. In this way, they are able to reach maturity in their management at the same level as the leading companies in the industry,” says Alberto Martinez.
LNK
solutions Workload Monitoring
One of the most common problems that arises during the manufacturing process of metal parts by cutting or punching, whether in a workshop or an office, is the difficulty of fitting in a new job – be it the consequence of a rush order or of a failed production order. This generally happens amidst a schedule of work orders that are usually long and have set deadlines. Moreover, if the scheduling must be created on a daily basis because the demand requires high flexibility (as well as predictability) ¬when it comes to making shipments, the task becomes very complex if we don’t have the right visibility when it comes to scheduling.
Implementing these additional unexpected tasks – which sometimes mean most of them! – into your schedule in such a way, so as to minimize the costs that this change may involve in terms of changes to tools, availability of materials in the workplace, nesting optimization, etc., is crucial to ensuring the productivity, flexibility and profitability of the production plant. With its new 2014 version, Lantek has strengthened all functionality related to the monitoring and management of work centers by applying its Lantek Factory concept. It has developed a tool which unites simplicity and a problem-solving capacity, placing all power into the hands of the production manager, either in the
workshop or at the office. Guided by a logical scheme for continuous improvement, Lantek understands that there are three steps necessary to mastering operation on the ground once the existing capacity has been defined:
Before finally placing the order, the manager can preview the scheduling situation of each of the available work centers, analyzing the start and finish dates, and making the best decision accordingly.
The definition of capacity for each center is made by configuring the working days and shifts: this forms the basis of capacity. In addition, special situations should be included – situations which may arise and modify this capacity. This could include shutdowns due to failure, scheduled maintenance, extra shifts, etc. In this way, we have a clear idea of the available capacity at all times.
If something unforeseen occurs, the manager would then have all the information at hand, in real time, in order to be able to make a well-informed decision. That rush (or very rush!) order, or that shutdown due to a malfunction, can disrupt the smooth flow of orders which make our workshops seem like a fine-tuned orchestra. Production managers, as good conductors, visualize where changes can be fitted in, either by moving production to another center or by postponing an order which is not yet due. They do this without delaying the delivery date to which they are committed, and make the modifications without distorting the work rhythm in the plant – or at the very least, they ensure that any disruption is minimal.
As production orders are received, this capacity is fulfilled. It takes into account the criteria stipulated by the production manager, ensuring that each piece is manufactured in the center best suited to achieving the required result. Each production manager is aware of the center which is best at manufacturing the parts that a particularly demanding client has ordered. This manager is also the person who knows best where each order should be assigned.
Competing in the metal industry today means being the best when it comes to flexibility and punctuality. Both Lantek Manager and Lantek Integra are extremely powerful tools for workload monitoring and management. They are perfect for any production manager who want their team of workers and work centers to run like well-oiled machines, demonstrating the productivity, flexibility and efficiency that are vital in the industry today.
•
Implementing additional production orders
•
Visualizing the situation in the centers
•
Correcting situations that can be improved
LNK
interviews
Asier Ortiz CTO, Chief Technology Officer
“Lantek provides CAM-oriented manufacturing, which is unique in the industry” His role includes technological and competitive surveillance, the acquisition and investigation of new technologies, and the definition of the main functions of product development in Lantek (Product Roadmap). Furthermore, Asier is directly involved in all special projects with clients who require a high level of adaptation to their productive processes. His objective is to apply the industry’s best practices and to provide those clients with the benefit of all of Lantek’s knowledge and experience, wherever they happen to be.
What can you tell us about the developments in Lantek’s portfolio presented in the new 2014 version, which we are launching in the 2014 Global Release campaign with respect to production control? With regard to production control, this year we have launched a production integration system for cutting pieces of sheet metal, called Masterlink. This new development means that the design and machining process allows the CAD/CAM system to receive production requirements as input from any external management system. In addition, purchase orders are received from customers based on the product requirements, which are to be manufactured for each customer purchase order. It also signifies the allocation of the machine where this product is to be cut. This control resolves the problem of introducing mass information, leaving it linked to an order source or to a production order. It is also possible to manufacture according to the MRP guidelines, which indicate what needs to be produced. Lantek provides CAM-oriented manufacturing, which is unique in the industry. CAD/CAM software communicates in real time with the other systems that the company may possess which, in conjunction with other batch processes management tools, allows an MRP to integrate with a machining system without human intervention. Could you tell us about any developments from 2014 concerning budgeting?
After many years of customer experience in Lantek, we can observe two possible approaches from our sheet metal subcontractors: 1. They wish to respond quickly, so that they can send a quote to their clients. 2. They have a strong relationship with the client, and it’s the latter who submits the sheet metal requirements to the company. We have focused our budgeting efforts on this second group of companies. At Lantek we have launched systems to classify clients according to their level of contact with the company and according to the characteristics of their order. The result is that the same piece will always be able to cost the same, although the difference in cost and time zone may be marked. We have succeeded in developing a management tool that is closely linked to CAM and which can calculate the machining of products. The result in this case is that we can calculate the selling price of a piece from a drawing; and, moreover, no one involved in the process actually needs to have any specific manufacturing knowledge. Furthermore, we have incorporated new algorithms for calculating material. This allows us to charge a higher or lower price without having to carry out any nesting. Machines are modelled in terms of technology: this establishes the hourly costs of all resources, and prices are set through “markups.”
Can you tell us about a project related to budgeting which has already been implemented with a Lantek client? We have a large subcontracting client (in France) with a large fleet of laser, plasma, oxycut and water machines. There are more than 10 people drawing up budgets; and this may include more than 10 products per budget. This client is already using the new budgeting and pricing system. They claim that by using this system they can calculate their margin for every purchase order, so as to create the metrics and statistics. They know how to adjust their rates in accordance with costs and margins. The real result with this client is that they now have greater margin flexibility as well as a better knowledge of themselves. This enables them to set prices, discounts, etc., and to continue making a profit. The 2014 version contains some significant improvements in the production area, particularly regarding flexibility, improvement in management, and the knowledge of material price and costs. What can you tell me about it? In the manufacturing field we are still developing technology aimed at controlling and monitoring the plant. We provide flexibility so that a user can validate an action, even though previous operations are not yet finalized in the system. This helps to give a complete definition of the processes. This is how the costs from the workshop “feedback” are decided upon. All this information, which is gathered from the plant, is transferred to the server in order to follow the progress of the purchase order or the production order, thus allowing for the best decisions to be made regarding a real workshop situation. We have developed a machine work queuing system called “Workload monitoring.” In our setting, this is an intermediate process unit – this is nesting. It is what can tell us how and how long a machine will take to cut the pieces. The nesting queue is the machine’s load, its nesting sequence. In the control panel you can see the delivery date of this
nesting based on the most restrictive piece included in this nesting. This process allows us to see whether or not the delivery date of the agreed pieces has passed, or whether they have already been transferred to the customer. In this case, the benefit is the expanded capacity as well as being able to modify the work unit of the machine – the nesting. Asier, what are the improvements with respect to the CAD/CAM portfolio? As it’s a more mature tool, what we do is ensure that we offer the most advanced machining tools, such as laser and fiber. We also try to make automatic calculations which reduce the design and machining process to avoid errors. For instance, we can show punch overlapping in the machining of a sheet or nest. And to give another example: we calculate the technology which we consider best for a piece, based on the contour type. With respect to 3D machining, especially for contours in soldering preparation – that is one of the options we launched in the form of tubes with Lantek Flex3d Tubes. It is a key function, particularly for cutting larger size tubes or tubes with complicated bends. Lantek Factory has been launched this year. How would you describe it to someone who isn’t familiar with it? This new concept helps to improve success factors such as productivity, efficiency and business intelligence. Day by day, with a focus on the future, Lantek understands that factories will become increasingly more automated, flexible, connected and “smart.” We have developed our systems so that our CAM is integrated in production – that is, nesting and machining – with the most demanding manufacturing management. This is a unique feature in today’s market. It is with this idea in mind that we are developing our management system, allowing each company department to become as autonomous as possible. This is due to the fluidity of information and the fact that it is processed and intended to be consumed by each and every person in the company.
LNK
technologies
Iñaki Badiola OEM Channel Manager
EasySnap™ vs ShearButton™
EasySnap™ and ShearButton™ are two MATE® Precision Tooling brand tools. These two tools complement one another depending on the work being done. In either case, they serve to improve the finished quality once the nesting has been fully punched through. EasySnap™ This tool is very useful for fine thicknesses. Its great advantage is that, when nesting the pieces, these can be positioned without leaving spaces either between the pieces or the micro-cuts. The punch strikes the sheet such that it penetrates the upper and lower part thereof (approximately a third of the sheet thickness on each side). In this way, the nesting does not separate until the end, thus reducing vibrations. Once the nesting comes out of the machine, the operator only needs to snap off the joints between the pieces by slightly bending their sides. Its disadvantage is that it cannot be used on larger sheets (up to a maximum of 2 mm on hardened steel and 1.5 mm on stainless steel), and it should not be used on pieces longer than 300 mm. It has nevertheless been successfully tested on lengths of up to 2000 mm.
ShearButton™ The ShearButton™ option may be a good one for thicknesses of over 2 mm and for machines without trapdoors. With these types of machines and thicknesses, we need to create micro-cuts. The problem with micro-cuts in large thicknesses is that it is not possible to use very thin micro-cuts because they are not always strong enough to hold together before the nesting is complete, and the pieces may fall out during machine operation. Furthermore, filing the micro-cuts with such large thicknesses is costly, and the exterior finish is often poor. However, ShearButton™ reduces these problems significantly. In order to work with this punch, the width of the micro-cuts must be the same as that of the punch – which must be square (in other words, the distance between the pieces must be the same as the size of the micro-cut). The machine should punch the entire nesting and, when it is completed, the punch must be selected by striking directly above the micro-cuts. The tool itself does not snap the micro-cut, but moves it up or down (depending on the type of punch purchased), so that when the pieces are removed manually, they are easy to separate and the edge finish, though not perfect, is considerably better than it would have been without this punch.
LNK
innovation
Raúl Alvarado Software Engineer
Who wants to live forever? Following a judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Google already enables users to benefit from the right to be forgotten. Users can now request that their personal data is removed from search results after a reasonable period of time. But is it that important to control this small part of our digital existence? Perhaps it is, according to a project initiated two years ago which predicts that what we will find on the Internet in the future is not information about us, but ourselves.
Dualism, defended by Plato and considered by religions such as Christianity, distinguishes two parts in the human being: body and soul. Researchers have adapted this idea to our times differentiating between software and hardware in the human being. The hardware (organic body) suffers from disease, ageing and finally, the death. In contrast, the software (mind) is immortal and can work in other bodies. The 2045 Initiative project is gathering scientists and engineers under the leadership of the Russian magnate Dimitry Itskov. It has four phases aiming at the progressive transfer of the human conscience to substitutes named avatars: •
Phase 1 (2015-2020). The owners will control their personal robots (avatar A) via brain waves and they will delegate hazardous tasks to them.
•
Phase 2 (2020-2025). The human brain will be transplanted to a cyborg (avatar B) which, when interacting with the outside world, it will provide the perception of the five senses.
•
Phase 3 (2030-2035). The human mind, including its memories, will be downloaded in a software that will manage a fully synthetic body (avatar C). The human being will be immortal provided that the artificial organism is repaired or replaced by a new one when damaged.
•
Phase 4 (2040-2045). Although synthetic bodies will be able to virtually take any form and will be practically indestructible, they will also be dispensable. In this way, the hardware part, as it happens nowadays with the Internet infrastructure, will go unnoticed and the human being will be, in essence, software. Yet, its favorite physical representation will be the holographic body (avatar D) because of the degree of freedom that it will have to face physical obstacles.
The 2045 Initiative sounds like science fiction. This brings up quite a few questions and even ethical dilemmas. However, it has gained credibility (and received funding) from members of the Forbes magazine: Larry Ellison (Oracle), Peter Thiel (PayPal), Sergey Brin (Google). Larry Page, a Brin partner, is interested in speculative projects that go further than mere technological innovation. For these purposes, Google has purchased leading robotics and biotechnology companies and has founded Calico with the rather more modest objective of extending life from 20 to 100 years longer. Its starting point will be the study of the genome in centenarians and the application of nanotechnology (tiny robots that will take care of our health from inside ourselves). Uncertain times are obviously approaching because we can no longer affirm that the only guarantee in life is death.
LNK
news Lantek, a strategic partner providing software solutions for the shipbuilding industry
The multinational leader in CAD/ CAM/MES/ERP solutions has incorporated specific functions for sheet metal design, nesting and machining in the shipbuilding industry. The ability to adapt to the specific needs of any metal company is one of Lantek’s competitive differences.
The multinational has consolidated its global presence in metal-related sectors, such as automotive, construction, iron and steel, the production of large metal structures, railroads and the naval sector, with a total of more than 14,000 customers in more than 100 countries.
the production of each machine, continuous cutting to eliminate drilling times and increase the wear life of the cutting nozzles or the ability to manage any marking, engraving or puncturing process available on the machine. Saving time and materials with nesting solutions
It is in the latter, the shipbuilding industry, where Lantek has invested years in the research and development of specific software solutions to optimize the processes of sheet metal design, nesting and machining, making these processes more cost-effective for the construction of ships and other vessels. Not surprisingly, leading companies such as Hyundai, Navantia, Astilleros de Murueta and Ravestein BV, among others, have used Lantek technology for years. In this vein, Lantek provides naval companies with geometry importers that are compatible with the top ship design systems on the market. Additionally, the multinational offers technology options for machining management, like loops and chamfers that help program the cutting machines and rotating triple torch, plus attachments that allow very long pieces to be cut, for results that are 100% faithful to the generated design. Specific options for the naval industry include the ability to manage cutting with multiple torches to increase
Lantek solutions also include nesting software for cutting applications, offering automatic and semiautomatic nesting algorithms or nesting for multiple torches that, among other benefits, allow us to optimize the material and reduce the machining time. In addition, Lantek technology enables nesting and automatic machining of double and symmetrical sheets, a comprehensive control of the remnants and pre-nesting to select the sheet format with the best performance. Other functionalities that Lantek has adapted to the naval sector include time and cost calculation, machine loads preview, traceability or integration with any existing management system. These competitive advantages have positioned Lantek as one of the key suppliers in the metal industry, specializing in specific activities, such as those related to the naval sector, which require agility, precision and complete adaptation of technology solutions to their production processes.
LNK
case studies Jorgensen Saves Significant Cost with CY Fiber Laser and Lantek software
Jorgensen Steel Machining and Fabrication, an industry leader in design, machining and fabrication, reports significant cost savings as a result of implementing the CY Fiber Laser with Lantek Sheet Metal Software.
Located in Tekonsha, MI, Jorgensen Steel Machining and Fabrication is a Native American owned business offering Mechanical Design, Inspection Services, CNC Machining, Welding and Fabrication. Jorgensen supports various industries such as Textiles, Automotive, Manufacturing, Energy, Pollution Control, Aerospace and Defense. Laser Precision Matt Jorgensen, the company’s owner, wanted to bring laser cutting work in-house for better process control and faster delivery. He conducted extensive research into the latest laser cutting technology. Matt was convinced that fiber cutting was right for Jorgensen, not only in its significant cost savings over C02 cutting but also in its lean and efficient operation. Matt reached out to his long trusted supplier, Westbrook Engineering, to purchase the laser in September of 2013 stating, “Westbrook is a company we trust, they have provided us with great service over many years.” Added Productivity The CY Laser purchase included Lantek’s CAD/CAM, Nesting & Programming software, Lantek Expert. Jorgensen saves time using Lantek’s remnant and sheet tracking to control their inventory. Bill Lawens, Jorgensen’s Fabrication Supervisor likes the “set it and forget it” capabilities of the software. “Lantek automatically uses our pre-determined settings which saves us time and allows us to switch between different types of work quickly”, stated Lawens. “The system also
Matt Jorgensen, owner of Jorgensen Steel Machining & Fabrication: “Lantek is everything we hoped it was going to be; a useful tool for tracking costs and an easy system for processing quotes.”
has built-in CAD for programming changes when we need them.” Matt Jorgensen appreciates that Lantek has taken the guess work out of quoting, “It is everything we hoped it was going to be; a useful tool for tracking costs and an easy system for processing quotes” stated Jorgensen. ROI By eliminating outsourcing and implementing lean and efficient tools in both the CY Laser and Lantek software, Jorgensen has increased their capabilities, reduced costs, improved project processing and control allowing them to provide customers with quick turn around and savings.
LNK
services
Lantek Hint We would like to share some tips that can help turn you into an expert. Hint: Configure the times and costs so they are as close to reality as possible. 1. Go into Configuration Options In this window configure: •
% of the cost of remnants compared to the original sheet metal
•
% of cost of scrap compared to the original sheet metal
•
Cost of each unit of O2
•
Cost of each unit of N2
•
Machine hourly rate
•
Employee hourly rate
To learn more about key sequences send us an email at: marketing@lanteksms.com
- Lantek Expert
LNK
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.
BIEMH 2014
MACHTOOL 2014
BILBAO - SPAIN 02-07 JUNE
POZNAN - POLAND 03-06 JUNE
Next Tradeshows
MAKTEK 2014
EUROBLECH 2014
FABTECH 2014
OCTOBER 14-19
OCTOBER 21-25
NOVEMBER 11-13
ISTANBUL-TURKEY
HANNOVER - GERMANY
ATLANTA - USA
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Google+ In Social Media we will cover topics related to Lantek, news, customers, group discussion and industry.
Play hard Work hard