Lantek solutions for bending and shearing processes

Bending and shearing are very common processes in the sheet metal forming industry. Both are essential daily activities for most companies of this sector, regardless of their main activity.

The software applications are strongly related to the machinery (regardless of whether the machines are bending or shearing machines). It is very important to have advanced, powerful and flexible solutions, able to adapt without problems to the specific machine and obtain a maximum output.

Lantek remains faithful to its commitment to offer a complete catalogue of innovative, global and competitive solutions. It offers two specific solutions for each of these activities. Lantek Flex3D Bending belongs to Lantek Flex3D solutions and it is specifically developed for bending processes. And Lantek Expert Quattro to meet the requirements in the shearing sector.

Explanation of both modules in more detail:

Lantek Flex3D Bending is a new solution to generate the unfolding sequence of the bending path and also to simulate the part from its 3D design, in real time. As a result it generates the numeric control program. The program, after being sent to the machine, accomplishes the bending of the part. This is an independent solution so it is not necessary to have any additional software.

Technical Characteristics:

• Visualization: It is possible to obtain four different views of the part on the same screen and also to visualize the solid part in 3D. It makes a simulation of the bending process allowing the user to configure all the elements that he wants to visualize: buffers, tools, machine and part.
• Powerful importer and exporter allows importing and exporting of files from different 2D and 3D CAD systems. It supports, SAT 3D files (solids), IGES 3D (solids), DXF 3D, intelligent import of SAT 3D files with information of the bending process and also importation of DXF 2D files with bending information such as angle, bend radius, allowance, etc.
• Generation of unfolding The unfolding of the part is generated automatically (previously imported or designed in the system) and also the partial unfolding of the part’s face. There is also functionality to create notches automatically from DXF with information about bending for any CAM system for punching and laser cutting.
• Generation of sequence of the bending path From 2D geometry, Lantek Flex3D Bending can calculate the sequence of the bending path in two different ways:
  • a. Manual: the user chooses the order for bending the part.
  • b. Automatic: With the sequence controlled by various parameters. These parameters can be prioritized by the user, so the generated sequence will be the most suitable to your needs.
• Simulation of sequence of the bending path This characteristic allows simulating the sequence of the bending path with the complete configuration of the machine in 3D. It also provides automatic configuration according to the parts most suitable bending strategy and the checking and visualization of collisions during the bending simulation. Finally, it is possible to make an automatic estimation of the necessary times for bending a part. Moreover, it is possible to define the different tools by the user from the DXF geometry. It also makes easier the bending of many faces at the same time (Multi-bend) and there are options to bend 180° faces (Hemming bends).

Lantek Expert Quattro, is a shearing solution to program and optimize and nest rectangular parts. It is an easy to use system and allows the user to obtain high productivity and significant material savings. Moreover, this module is very useful to calculate the material requirement for personnel involved in purchasing and warehousing.

Technical Characteristics:

• Automatic optimization of manufacturing orders in multiple sheets. This solution minimizes the number of formats needed.
• Visualization: all results are visible on the screen and printer, with reports for part ordering, parts lists…
• Common database: allows the user to save and access part details easily.
• Result modifications: all the results can be modified by clicking on different parameters depending on each specific user.
• Control of maximum length of shearing: intelligent nesting avoiding cuts bigger than the maximum length of the shear.
• Option to carry out sheet management : using built in stock control which automatically deletes sheets after use.
• Importer: it is possible to import parts using file formats such as DXF and also from external MRP systems (optional).
• Remnants reuse: it allows reusing the remnants saving significant material costs.
• Tags: to make part identification easier after cutting and define lamination.

Lantek Expert Quattro is a solution with multiple advantages such as: improvements for better use of material for rectangular parts production; a personalized system for customer’s specific needs; an SQL database that contributes to reliable, rapid and solid data. Moreover, the system provides high levels of integration as all Lantek programs work with a unique database.

Lantek is committed to innovation and optimization of the sheet metal processes which has never been more evident than in version 28 of its CAD/CAM/ERP software. As with previous characteristics, now it is necessary to add new functionalities based on a solid technological platform. This platform uses advanced technologies of designing and programming and allows optimizing the management and the efficiency of the different manufacturing processes. The results are: the improvement of the sheet metal work process to meet the customer’s needs.

Lantek Expert II v28 is a powerful solution. It has improved nesting and now it optimizes sheets in a better way to improve run times. The new options to calculate the time and costs of the parts, sheets and products allow the user to have better control of production and estimate more efficiently the time and costs of manufacturing. Version 28 incorporates a new interface to make it easier to manipulate the nesting view through the nesting explorer menu. It is also possible to have floating and dockable windows to control and access the nesting information.

Lantek solutions are translated into 17 languages and supported by a professional customer service department. Lantek solutions for bending and shearing processes compliment the already extensive product range and work to get the best optimization out of your machines and work processes generally.

About Lantek

Lantek is a multinational company, world leader in the development and the commercialization of CAD/CAM and ERP software solutions for the sheet metal sector.

Lantek has more than 9,000 customers worldwide, with its headquarters in Spain and branch offices in the Argentina, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South, Spain (Headquarter), Turkey, UK, US and, supported by a wide distribution network all over the world.

For further information, please contact:
www.lanteksms.com
marketing@lantek.es