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APRIL 2019
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Global Release 2019
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Lantek 360 Cloud Platform
14 Digitalization at SSC Laser Cutting
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
Anonymous
Marketing Department marketing@lanteksms.com
LANTEK MARKETING TEAM
PUBLISHER
Diana Sánchez Patricia Ruiz de Sabando Enrique Paramá Writing and editing
Lantek Sheet Metal Solutions, S.L Parque Tecnológico de Álava Ferdinand Zeppelin, 2 01510 Vitoria-Gasteiz (Álava), Spain (T) +34 945771700
Juan José Colás Head of Global Sales & Marketing
www.LantekSMS.com
THANKS TO THE CONTRIBUTORS OF THIS ISSUE Asier Ortiz, Austin Jarret, Damian Olszowski, Igor Temprano, Josu Motoso, Juan José Colás, Michal Baranowski, Óscar Bartolomé, Paweł Bogusz and Richard Mortimer.
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index 05editorial New launch: Global Release 2019
10solutions Lantek 360 cloud platform, available anywhere
18technologies Lantek MES Monitoring: the most complete way to view production
22news International Meeting 2019
28services Lantek Hint. Did you know that...
06main topic Lantek Global Release: efficiency in production
14interview Digitalization at SSC Laser Cutting
20innovation Control Panel to control your company’s production from any device
24partners SIGMA implements Lantek software
30facts Trade Shows
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editorial New launch:
Global Release 2019 The 2019 priorities for companies in our sector include not just the usual organic growth and increased profitability, but also those marked by an environment in deep transformation.
Juan JosĂŠ ColĂĄs Head of Global Sales & Marketing
Plant interoperability in increasingly heterogeneous environments (different machinery inventories, different manufacturers, variety of cutting technologies, more vertical and automated processes, as well as the different systems that govern them) plays a key role in understanding not just the survival of companies within the sector, but also where they are headed in the world of connected or smart factories. Plant interoperability in heterogeneous scenarios is fundamental given that it allows us to eliminate systems and procedures that now work in parallel to one another, and move to doing them collaboratively. From a more holistic standpoint, production assets themselves are more and more involved in management and must offer a faster, more reliable, and more flexible flow of information. Lantek is able to respond to the challenges created by this transformation with the global launch of its new 2019 version and the Lantek 360 concept and suite of products. With this launch, not only has the portfolio of new applications been completed with a new platform that offers customers more streamlined and advanced production, but also the existing platforms have been strengthened with new features that improve performance and better adapt to the needs of the market. This launch is inspired not only by the new business model created as a result of the digital revolution, but also by the fabrication sector companies around the world specialized in sheet metal parts, tube, and enclosure production that, like Lantek, have known how to adapt and grow through having over 30 years of experience in the market.
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main topic Lantek Global Release 2019 EFFICIENCY IN PRODUCTION Asier Ortiz, CTO
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Over 60 new features focused on production management Lantek has been helping companies produce more efficiently for over 30 years. In the beginning it optimized raw material consumption with the most advanced Nesting in the world as the central aspect of its CAD/CAM package for metal cutting. Later, it incorporated 3D cutting solutions and solutions to plan production with its revolutionary MES. And finally, it launched a factory operations management platform onto the market. This journey begins with the ability to control any cutting machine, regardless of the cutting technology or manufacturer in question. A suite of products used by more than 21,000 customers worldwide. Now more than ever, data reigns supreme. It was not just manipulating the raw data that led us to develop the products that are revolutionizing the sector (Lantek Analytics, Lantek Control Panel, Lantek iQuoting, etc.), but also improving the way it is collected and its quality. This is one of the most important vectors in the improvements to the 2019 version. We want Lantek’s software to allow users to easily gather and utilize the data from their day to day manufacturing. Our aim is to streamline the processes and the analytics so companies can make decisions efficiently.
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Lantek Expert AUTOMATION AND TRACEABILITY Lantek Expert, the popular 2D CAD/CAM for metal cutting used by over 98,000 users around the world, includes over 40 general improvements, especially in the Nesting and Machining area. Many improvements arose from our customers’ feedback and their purpose is to improve process efficiency, and save time spent working on common tasks. One example of these enhancements is the new hole destruction, skeleton, and scrap management capability, which assists in waste removal, treatment, and management.
The requirement for parts to be identifiable and traceable is a high priority for many of our customers. We have increased the capabilities for part databases and, have enabled sheet metal and scrap to be marked by QR codes either automatically or semi-automatically. QR codes open up a world of possibilities for encapsulating the information associated with the part that may even include the operations and characteristics that must be incorporated into the part once it is cut (color, treatment, bending, etc.).
Another improved area is based on a desire to simplify the workflow with automatic processes. Automating tasks is a continual objective, allowing routine processes to be amalgamated and nesting groups optimized to suit the customer’s needs.
Furthermore, we have worked on data collection and support for control systems, increasing the cutting machine database (over 1,200 models from practically all manufacturers on the market), and the quality of production data.
QR codes open up a world of possibilities for encapsulating the information
Lantek Flex3d Addins INTEGRATION WITH DESIGN PROGRAMS We have increased integration with leading design programs both for importing and exporting files. For importing we have increased Lantek’s ability to work with programs and files, incorporating new formats such as IGES. With regard to exporting, it is now possible to include bending information for each operation (bend length, bend angle, bend radius, K-factor, special bending, rotation, tool change) and generate STL files (which allow for 3D part viewing), DXF files (which allow it to be treated as a CNC), and LSTC files (with all the bending information). The 2019 version also includes different improvements to contour attributes in the Cut&Bend process, introducing optimization for combined machines and 12 new tube connection operations.
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A suite of products used by more than 21,000 customers worldwide
Lantek MES EFFICIENT PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT The product with the most improvements is undoubtedly Lantek MES: 19 significant improvements have been made to optimize production in several directions. First, we aimed for efficiency in automation. For this we created a new concept: Lantek Ignite. Different possibilities for automating processes are included under this name, with the most notable being the one that allows for nesting simply by clicking on predefined configurations. This concept will evolve across the entire suite of products, significantly contributing to supporting one of our main objectives - simplifying complex tasks.
Second, users will be able to see production planning in different views, sequences, or Gantt charts at all times, thanks to the new Lantek MES Monitoring module. Simplicity, power, and immediacy to keep daily production always in the spotlight. Thirdly, several general efficiency improvements were made, from nesting with sheet metal selection to full production traceability and data collection as well as improvement to data quality including the support and integration of a wider range of machines, reports, and filters. In short, a complete set of improvements have been made to manage production even more quickly and simply.
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Lantek 360 The Lantek 360 Cloud Products Suite COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT AND AVAILABILITY FROM ANYWHERE Juan José Colás, Head of Global Sales and Marketing In the context of concepts like Connected Plant, Advanced Manufacturing, and Industry 4.0, we have paved the way with different technologies such as Big Data, Cloud Computing, and Artificial Intelligence, which open up new pathways for our industry and for manufacturing. Digitalization offers an immense number of options at the outset and perhaps that is a problem. There are so many technologies and each one offers so many applications that companies don’t know where to begin or what to prioritize. Aware of this fact, Lantek recently presented a set of applications that allow the path to digital transformation to unfold quickly and intuitively for companies in the sector. These applications now make up the suite of cloud-based products called Lantek 360. Users of Lantek 360 will have applications with enormous capabilities, and will be able to access and process large amounts of data in real time as well as historical data. The increased computing capacity and information processed by our Lantek 360 services will help throughout the chain; it will also allow each profile to interoperate and involve all players who work on production. Lantek 360 is currently made up of four applications: Lantek Control Panel, Lantek Analytics, Lantek iQuoting, and Lantek MetalShop.
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Accelerating the interoperability of machines and their production processes with the other management practices is key 360 Cloud Platform Security and Availability Everywhere The use of cloud-based software is an everyday occurrence in many parts of modern life. Data availability, safety, and the guarantee that only the latest versions are used, facilitate its implementation. Data access from different locations for different profiles allows for the utmost flexibility in operations where multiple plants and mobile plants are in play. Lantek stresses that the digitalization of the sheet metal and tube cutting sector is in an incipient phase and as a result of this, it urges its customers, regardless of their size, to follow a gradual path toward digitalization, although the pace can be adapted. The starting point is accelerating the interoperability of machines and their production processes with the other management practices. At this stage data analytics solutions can be applied to establish predictive patterns and ensure decisions can be made quickly and accurately.
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360 Visibility and Comprehensive Management The integration of all production processes, from the moment a firm receives an offer until delivery of the order to the customer and full visibility of this process are some of the requirements that technology should fulfill in order to turn factories into smart factories. The Lantek 360 suite of products follows that line: Lantek Control Panel is a cloud application that allows data to be viewed and analyzed in real time, showing the current status and availability of machinery and machinery workload, among other parameters. The application was mainly designed for workshop managers. It offers a full view of the plant, allows alerts and notifications to be received on the processes, and works like a virtual control panel on smartphones and tablets. Not only the status of production is shown, but also downtimes and breakdowns. Business activity information such as requests and new order confirmations can be seen at anytime and in real time. And thanks to its alerts, managers can react as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency. Lantek Analytics is the first comprehensive solution to fully analyze both manufacturing and commercial management; it allows production data to be analyzed in order to facilitate proper decision-making. The application is comprised of two modules: “Manufacturing Analytics” and “Customer Analytics.” The software has several relevant predefined KPIs that allow the cutting plant management model to be analyzed as well as for action to be taken on it. The Lantek Analytics software was designed to be easily installed, thereby minimizing the impact on the facility and never interrupting manufacturing processes. Moreover, it ensures an easy and fast learning curve so that both engineers and directors can benefit from data analytics.
Precise Calculation Even Without Technical Knowledge Lantek iQuoting, the cloud tool to create quotes, allows users to generate quotes and view customer data from anywhere at anytime. The system uses its own data related to nesting, production order management, and operations management intuitively and in a way that is easy to use. The application even allows users without technical knowledge to be able to create precise calculations in a short period of time. Within a fully integrated system, this is not merely a calculation tool, as it can verify the availability of materials and capacity. It includes material, production, and transport costs in its calculations, as well as individual customer rates. Lantek MetalShop is an online metal part shop. Especially suitable for contract manufacturers, it offers an interesting opportunity to provide customers with an additional way to obtain offers. The system checks the parts and then generates the offer. In short, with the Lantek 360 platform, manufacturers will be able to establish a closer relationship with their customers by facilitating their commercial activity and maximizing the performance and profitability of their production. Lantek is delighted with the interest the new 360 platform has generated amongst its cloud solutions customers, who have undoubtedly researched the market and responded to the challenges posed by the digital transformation of the fabrication and sheet metal sector ahead of their competitors.
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interviews
Interview with Mr. Austin Jarret, Managing Director of the British company SSC Laser Cutting. SSC Laser Cutting has three plants and manufactures laser cut and folded parts for agricultural and body on to chassis manufacturers in the UK. The company has recently started its digitalization process.
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Digitalization at SSC Laser Cutting Austin Jarrett Managing Director of SSC Laser Cutting Can you tell us about the history of SSC Laser Cutting and its business? I am also the Managing Director of Allett, which manufactures golf course machinery, where we subcontract around £30,000 per month of laser cutting work. We evaluated the purchase of a laser to bring the work in house but decided that this would result in inefficient use of the laser machine and hence our investment, leading me to set up SSC Laser Cutting in 2000. SSC Laser Cutting now manufactures laser cut and folded parts for agricultural and body on to chassis manufacturers in the UK. Allett is now just one of its many customers. SSC Laser Cutting’s objective is to enable British manufacturers to be efficient and responsive. We have empathy with our customers as Allett uses SSC’s services so, we are in the unique position of understanding the requirements and challenges of both customer and subcontractor. The company has three plants: Yate which has flatbed lasers and press brakes and specialises in non-ferrous materials to avoid cross contamination; Derby, which has flatbed lasers and press brakes; the head office in Hixon which has both flatbed and tube lasers as well as press brakes. In addition, the company has sales offices at each plant and a further one in Kent. The sales offices quote for work regionally and orders may need to be supplied from multiple sites. For example, tube parts from Hixon and brass components from Yate, with coordinated delivery of the order to the customer. To do this we need visibility of capacity across all the sites. Why do you think that digitalization is important? Subcontracting laser parts used to be a minor miracle, cutting intricate profiles which were impossible before. Now laser cutting has become a commodity technique, so there has been a significant change in how subcontractors operate. Lasers are now so fast that keeping them running all the time depends on other factors such as the ability to quote quickly and accurately, automation and, for satisfied customers, fast and on time delivery. It’s not about cutting any more, it’s about many other aspects of company organization.
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Our plan is to grow from our current turnover of £16 million to £50 million by 2025 Historically, subcontract laser companies are run by entrepreneurs with one or two lasers, which can be controlled by wit and ingenuity. These companies will find it difficult in the new subcontracting laser cutting market, as customer and supplier relationships will get closer with digitalisation. Understanding the performance of multiple machines will be necessary to ensure parts are delivered when promised and at a competitive price. Having data which will result in transparency for the whole business - pinpointing costs where they are incurred, monitoring production efficiency, showing capacity and its utilisation, tracking material costs, machine efficiency and up times, on time delivery reports etc. will make it possible to provide a far better service to customers, which smaller subcontractors will find hard to replicate. What is SSC Laser Cutting’s view of the future of digitalisation in the sheet metal industry? Providing an excellent service to the customer at the right price is the main objective. We generate around 3,000 quotations every month with 1,600 orders per month and 141,000 different parts made every year. For our own business we need useful figures like performance against target rates /hour for the machinery and how much we earn on each part. This is important as we want to keep profitable work and not have poorly performing parts subsidised by the more profitable jobs. To achieve this, costing has got to be highly accurate. The penalty for not doing this could be a gradual loss of the jobs which are doing the subsidising. Our objective for the future is direct communication with customers and suppliers so that customers can order online with artificial intelligence helping to generate the majority of the quotations and customers able to see the progress of their parts through the workshop. Similarly we want to have the same level of integration with our material suppliers so that we can see the price and availability of material ‘now’. We even need to work digitally with our transport partners so that we can schedule deliveries,
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tracking them to give the best possible customer service. The ability to do these things relies on communication between systems, online interfaces and the ability to analyse quickly the vast amounts of data involved. What is SSC Laser Cutting’s view of Cloud computing? We have a lot of IT kit at each site which needs to be replaced regularly. Currently we also have two full time IT specialists to maintain the systems. Moving to Cloud computing will eradicate the need for expensive hardware, provide us with more secure backup and disaster recovery and, enable us to use our in house IT expertise for strategic improvements rather than just for maintenance and infrastructure management. In addition, Cloud computing will increase our flexibility, allowing us to do home working and have easy access to data from anywhere around the world while maintaining security. How will the smart factory and intelligent machines communicating through the Cloud develop? Machine manufacturers are connecting their newer machines over the internet, enabling them to monitor machine status and performance, avoiding unnecessary breakdowns and enabling planned maintenance. Lantek’s close relationship with Bystronic, the machines we use, is valuable as the integration will deliver useful information which we can use in making prices even more accurate. Our objective is to look at historic information and use this in intelligent systems to consider the many variables from delivery times to product features and automatically generate prices and compare this with what actually happened. How does SSC Laser Cutting anticipate it will benefit from digitalisation? Our plan is to grow from our current turnover of £16 million to £50 million by 2025. We can only do this with a scalable system that gives us useful digital information. Some of the smaller laser subcontractor businesses will not be sustainable in
the face of digitalisation, so some of our growth may come from acquisition, where we would implement digital processes as part of that acquisition. Customer and supplier loyalty will be a major benefit of digitalisation. The closer we work with customers, providing transparency and excellent service and prices, the more loyal they will be. Similarly, working closely with suppliers will ensure we get the best levels of service and also economies of scale. The measurable benefits will include reduced inventory for us and our customers and reduced downtime risks with just in time deliveries. With the data we collect we can analyse facts which will enable us to make informed decisions about improvements around the factory, such as automation of processes. Without this information we cannot make objective decisions. For our sales teams, we have the ability to gather a huge amount of valuable data in our CRM system. We can record and investigate for example, what proportion of a customer’s business we are getting and why, the geographic spread and density of customers and the status of each customer. With the 1000s of calls we make, we can use this information to generate new business. Why did you choose Lantek as your digital partner? Lantek has a vision and an understanding which matches our requirements. We anticipate that our future plans for integration with customers and suppliers will become a reality with help from Lantek, taking us on the road to Industry 4.0 and our target of £50 million by 2025.
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technologies Lantek MES Monitoring THE MOST COMPLETE WAY TO VIEW PRODUCTION Óscar Bartolomé, R&D Software Engineer
Throughout the manufacturing process, it is very important to understand the impact that every operation will have on the overall process, the interdependencies between them, the sequences they follow, etc. Having this under control is key to avoiding problems of overload in work centers, unnecessary shutdowns, and incorrectly assigned tasks. This is where the new application Lantek MES Monitoring comes into play. Lantek MES Monitoring is an online application which is part of the Lantek MES family of applications. To be more precise, it could be considered a new module of Lantek MES Manager, as we developed it from this application where it helps monitor the operations in the production process in real time and in a more graphic form. Its Gantt charts offer a new perspective on Lantek MES Manager data and, with this new view, any incident or problem that may arise in the sequence assigned to the work centers or in manufacturing orders may be identified. In order for the monitoring task to be more streamlined, Lantek MES Monitoring has three different visualization modes: • The work centers view shows a diagram with the operations sequence for each work center. This allows users to always be able to see if any machine has been assigned more than one
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operation to take place at the same time as well as the order of the sequence. In addition, this view has a highlight function that highlights the operations based on different criteria, such as only those from the same manufacturing order, the ones that use the same material, or those being sent to a particular customer. It also allows users to filter the work centers they wish to see and to determine the time period over which they’d like to see the diagram, amongst other functionalities. • The manufacturing orders view allows users to view the progress of the different orders over time with a Gantt chart. Thanks to this, users can identify the interdependencies between the different operations, in addition to differentiating structures and sets, and even types based on whether they are parts for 2D or 3D cutting. It also allows the time period to be changed while its filter function allows only manufacturing orders with certain criteria to be seen, as well as the ability to filter by order number and article or order reference. • It also offers the combined view, which shows the two views above at the same time to provide a broader perspective enabling users to compare the information in two different formats at the same time, in a synchronized fashion.
All the views offer several useful features that allow the task to be viewed in different ways, including a zoom capability and controls that allow users to jump to different time periods. Users can also update the information they deem necessary, and even program an automatic update system that refreshes the data after a certain period of time. Within its representation in the diagram, each operation shows a set of information - its main data such as its reference, status, material, and thickness, as well as other more visual forms such as colors and icons. If a user wishes to see further information on the operations, all he has to do is hover over them for an extensive tooltip to appear, which gives options for all the details of the operation. This way Lantek MES Monitoring offers a very detailed system for viewing the information that is easy for users to understand.
Lantek MES Monitoring is a very intuitive and visual monitoring tool
Delving into the more technical side, the application was implemented with the most advanced technology in the web development world, following the line of the new applications in the Lantek 360 family, which ensure its fluidity and precision. It should also be noted that it can be launched in any of the most well-known browsers, so users won’t have to change browsers to use it. In short, Lantek MES Monitoring is a very intuitive and visual monitoring tool that is expected to be the first in a series of applications aimed at improving visualization and user experience, aimed at optimizing the planning of the entire manufacturing process within workshops.
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innovation Control Panel CONTROL PANEL TO CONTROL YOUR COMPANY’S PRODUCTION FROM ANY DEVICE Josu Motoso, R&D Software Engineer
Could you imagine a situation in which from anywhere in the world you could access in real time your plant’s information? Wouldn’t it be perfect to control your company’s production from any device? Even if you are at your own plant, wouldn’t it be a huge technological advantage to manage any process from anywhere? And, yet more relevant, be able to collect the information coming from any cutting machine in the market?
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To achieve this, a technological leap is required both in and outside the company. Lantek’s Control Panel will provide its customers with a more detailed and thorough access to their data. Lantek anticipates a near future that is mobile, Control Panel provides the perfect solution providing information availability on these kinds of devices. The customer will be able to have all the information available to him, in real time, of the processes that are taking place in the company for production and quoting. Additionally, he will be able to visualize the workflow of each machine in his infrastructure and receive pop-up notifications about what is currently happening in his environment. These notifications will be received on his mobile devices without having to open the application. The built in security and encryption will ensure that the information will be only seen by authorized people. The most important advantage of this product is its ability to visualize the status of any make or model of machine on the market. Control Panel’s added value, compared to other competitive products lies in its heterogeneity. Something that is essential when you work in business that have multivendor equipment.
Regarding the ability to operate on any device, Lantek supports a wide range of hardware, including desktop PCs, smartphones and tablets. Applications developed in the cloud, like Control Panel, make it possible to deliver all the information a user needs to multiple devices in seconds. Lantek anticipates the growth in the use of apps and cloud working, leading the way to software availability on any mobile device. For the manufacturer, data analysis and reporting could be managed from tablets or mobiles without having to access a PC. The clear advantages include no need for wiring, no need for office space and more mobility for employees. While travelling, users can access and manage all operations by smartphone. In addition, the company’s manager can access KPIs dedicated to his needs in real time. Now there are many ways to develop this type of application. But, for it to be useful it is essential to know what the objective and the requirements of the application are so that it can be commercially valuable. For Control Panel, Lantek has based its implementation on web technology because of all the advantages that it can provide, including benefits such as hosting on a distributed platform and automation of updates without the need to reinstall the application.
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Lantek International Meeting 2019
Another year has gone by and as is the tradition, Lantek chose its offices in Miñano to be the setting for its annual Lantek International Meeting 2019, a gathering that was attended by the company’s Steering Committee as well as by the representatives from its network of delegations in 14 countries and all of the managers of the different areas: Technical, Sales, R&D+i, Finance, HR, Marketing, etc. During the event, Lantek confirmed its leadership in the fabrication and sheet metal working industry and made clear its desire to continue its commitment to innovation - realized with advanced manufacturing solutions. Delivering that innovation to a sector that must streamline, revamp, automate, and make its production processes more flexible in order to continue to be competitive and profitable in a hyper-connected world, where there are no
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borders and where success depends on one’s ability to adapt. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, the cloud, IoT/IIoT, M2M, machine-to-cloud, big data, connectivity... these are the cutting-edge technologies that have been applied to Lantek’s solutions and which will allow users to analyze, extract, and interpret data that will provide real value to business and which will help users make decisions in real time. Lantek CEO Alberto López de Biñaspre says, “Lantek’s talented team and a solid and open corporate culture, along with an extensive and diverse ecosystem of partners are the ingredients that will make it possible for Lantek to maintain its leadership position and make fulfilling its mission possible over the next few years – ‘To assist
companies in the sector with digitalization, thereby making us the connection to smart manufacturing and the restructuring of plants into Smart Factories’.” “Of course, we will do all of this without losing sight of our roots, continuing the development of our CAD/CAM/MES/ERP solutions,” he emphasized. During this meeting, which boasted over 160 attendees this year, the strategy and the business objectives for 2019 were presented as well as the expectations with regard to the activities of the different divisions. The industrial sector’s market trends and ICT were also explored. In this first meeting of the year, the results from 2018 were presented. Last year saw 10% growth in turnover, which reached 19.2 million euros. This demonstrated that the company, which now has over 21,800 customers and employs 244 people around the world, is on the right track. All of these people are, undoubtedly, a great family united by a common objective as well as the culture and values found at the heart of it. This will allow it to continue its commitment to progress with excellence and to strengthening the company. Similarly, the latest innovations launched on the market were also discussed. These are developments for advanced manufacturing software incorporated into the Lantek 360 cloud platform: Lantek Analytics, iQuoting, MetalShop, and Control Panel. The market’s enthusiastic welcome of these Lantek solutions and services indicates that the launches occurred at the right time and that they respond to the challenges posed by the digital transformation and Industry 4.0, revolutionizing production processes at any company in our sector, regardless of size, and making them more efficient.
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partners SIGMA
implements Lantek software
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Planning, the key to success
The selection and implementation of an appropriate system, preceded by an exhaustive analysis of the functions and needs of a particular solution, may help to improve production processes and, consequently, increase the number of orders. SIGMA S.A. is one of many companies to have successfully implemented Lantek software in its production plant in Lublin, Poland.
SIGMA S.A. SIGMA S.A. is a leading company in the manufacturing and design of machinery and equipment for the mining industry, as well as waste treatment technology for the protection of the environment. With many years of experience, its own industrial design and technological engineering office, an extensive inventory of modern machinery, as well as highly qualified personnel, the company is able to implement innovative solutions perfectly adapted to the individual needs of its customers, while maintaining the highest quality products. With the experience it has gained over the years and its ability to precisely analyze its customers’ requirements, the company can guarantee the effectiveness and functionality of the solutions it offers. The mining machinery and equipment manufactured by SIGMA operate in production plants around the world and in all the coal mines in Poland. The company’s goal is to systematically implement new solutions in the field of designing and manufacturing machinery, equipment, and associated technologies.
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The scope of implementation for the system was significant for our company, and other needs were detected as a result of its use Paweł Bogusz, Head of Technology at SIGMA S.A.
Order and transparency SIGMA started collaborating with Lantek Poland, a leading company offering software solutions for the sheet metal and metal structure manufacturing industry, in 2013 when it purchased a laser cutter. “We received Lantek Expert software, which is a system designed for cutting and punching machines, as part of the initial package with the machine we purchased. Since we already had plasma and oxycutting machines and we wanted to simplify our work, reduce costs, and save time and materials, we asked Lantek if it would be possible to integrate the rest of our machines into Lantek Expert. Within the framework of our partnership, we soon started adapting our machines and updating the software. They still operated with old control systems,” says Paweł Bogusz, Head of Technology at SIGMA S.A. “The scope of implementation for the system was significant for our company, and other needs were detected as a result of its use. We were able to control the use of sheet metal, but we needed to identify the components and assemblies and their manufacturing processes. Some were manufactured on one machine, while the rest were manufactured on a completely different one. We had yet to see the entire process.” It wasn’t until the production management software Lantek Manager was implemented that the company gained control of all of the machines, including cutting processes. “SIGMA’s expectations were very precise: we needed a system that would provide us with comprehensive operation. We not only supply the mining industry, but we also design new waste treatment technologies to protect the environment. Therefore, we need total control over orders, the number of cut articles, as well as a production plan. The implementation of the Lantek solution allowed us
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to eliminate worker error and to gain control over stock in the warehouse. Order and transparency are the things that we most appreciate about this system,” says Pawel Bogusz. Lantek software allows for the exact manufacturing time to be calculated for each article at the quote level, which allows an order to be placed flexibly throughout the production program. In addition, all the information about the order is introduced into the system only once when the quote is being prepared. In the following stages of the process, simply processing it is sufficient. This also allows a customer order record to be kept. The main goal of the system is not only to minimize production losses and costs, but also to reduce the amount of waste as well as to help technicians understand the entire manufacturing process of a specific structure.
Implementation The advantage of this innovative system is that it is installed only on a company’s server. This solution allows the software to be installed in just one place and then be used on any available hardware, thereby significantly reducing implementation and system maintenance costs. As highlighted by the SIGMA representative, the implementation of the Lantek Expert system lasted only a few days during which the following
activities were carried out consecutively: inventory, introduction of stock on the system, and a twoday training session. The following implementation phase, e.g., the introduction of the Lantek Manager system lasted a bit longer, due to the more advanced characteristics of the program. According to the Lantek representative, this step by step system implementation model is much more beneficial and secure for customers: “Lantek’s goal with its customers is to provide a solution adapted to the particular needs of each company. The most important thing is our customers’ development. The implementation at SIGMA was phased, allowing users to obtain more advantages and minimize the risk of loss. This enables our customers to make full use of their system,” says Michal Baranowski, a Lantek Sales Engineer. “The post-sales service is a key component that is also indispensable in Lantek’s partnership with its customers. Each customer receives the option for technical assistance from us, which allows them to be in constant contact with our service technicians. We can control the entire production process, from the time orders are introduced until they are completed,” adds Baranowski.
Development above all As indicated by the SIGMA representative, it would be nearly impossible to implement the entire program at once. The next stage in company investment will be the introduction of another Lantek metal platform module, Lantek Flex3D, designed to prepare cutting technology for tubes and casings. “In the near future we will also consider purchasing an advanced warehouse management module, Lantek Inventory. However, our main goal is to oversee manufacturing processes. We would like the Lantek Manager system to have greater control not only of cutting machines, but also of other operations in the production process,” adds Bogusz.
SIGMA S.A.
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services
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LANTEK
Hint
Did you know that...? With the new 2019 version of Lantek you can introduce QR codes on parts, sheet metal, and scrap for machines that have a special marking device. QR codes are a tool that is increasingly used to store and access related information. For example, time, part, material specification, and subtask information can be included in this data. Data entered into Lantek using the same tools that have been used up until now for marked texts and inkjet texts, i.e., manually, semiautomatically, and automatically. Igor Temprano. Operations Manager at Lantek Spain
HINTS If you would like to find out more tips, send us an email at: marketing@lanteksms.com
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30 facts LANTEK
Events
International Meeting 2019 During this event with more than 160 attendees, Lantek presented the strategy it intends to follow to achieve its 2019 business objectives.
30 facts
NEXT
Trade Shows SIMM 2019 MARCH 28-31 Shenzhen CHINA
FABTECH 2019 MAY 07-09 Monterrey MEXICO
Lamiera 2019 MAY 15-18 Milan ITALY
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BEYOND INDUSTRY 4.0
CAD/CAM
MES
ERP+
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
www.LantekSMS.com