Newsroom

Newsroom

BLM GROUP will be at FABTECH México, the premier meeting place for discovering the latest metalworking innovations. This event is scheduled from May 16 - 18 in Mexico City. 
BLM GROUP will be there with a complete range of solutions for sheet laser cutting, bending and end-forming tubes and wire bending. It will be a unique opportunity to see the new LS7 sheet metal laser cutting system at work for the first time at a trade show in Mexico. Come join BLM GROUP at FABTECH México, booth 1409.

LS7: A new benchmark in sheet laser cutting

LS7 is the innovative 2D fibre laser-cutting system that can process a wide range of metals, including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum and copper, with high and consistent quality results. The laser machine integrates into the production process with all the advantages of fibre lasers, including lower energy consumption, low maintenance and the cutting of highly reflective materials.

Production rate

La struttura di LS7 è quella classica a “gantry” con il ponte mobile in alluminio che scorre su una struttura metallica molto robusta, riempita di cemento polimerico per garantire una elevata rigidezza anche con accelerazioni importanti fino a 2G.

Reliability and ease of use

The LS7 has a conventional aluminum mobile gantry structure, which slides on a very strong metal structure, filled with polymer concrete to ensure high rigidity even with high accelerations up to 2G.

The cutting area has been designed to protect the bellows from the glowing sparks thrown in all directions, especially during the initial piercing of the material. With access from the short side, the entire machine remains completely enclosed for safety reasons related to the fibre laser source. The cutting process can be viewed on a camera whose image is visible on the operator console, via an additional external monitor and also remotely.

Cutting quality

The laser cutting head automatically adapts the internal optics to the thickness of the material and head edge sensors monitor the working conditions to ensure a clean and
precise cut over time. A wide range of optional features for unmanned production and optimizing the cutting process is available on the LS7 Cambio pallet in 9 secondi. Il cambio pallet si realizza sul lato lungo in un tempo di soli 9 secondi, grazie a una soluzione meccanica ingegnosa, che prevede lo scambio contemporaneo delle due tavole. La movimentazione è completamente elettrica, senza attuatori pneumatici o idraulici.

Pallet change in 9 seconds

The pallet change takes place on the long side in only 9 seconds thanks to a smart mechanical solution envisaging simultaneous exchange of the two tables. Handling is fully electric, without pneumatic or hydraulic actuators.

Configuration and automation

The LS7 is available in both 3.000 x 1.500 and 4.000 x 2.000 versions. Multiple systems for automatically loading sheets and unloading processed parts from the pallet changer or automatic sheet stores with one or two towers are available.

Plug&Play

The system is designed for easy transport. Installation takes just one week, including training.

SMART: The compact, intelligent and super-fast tube bending machine

SMART is a right- and left-handed in-process bending machine. It is extremely flexible and spacesaving bending head characteristics make it fast and efficient. There is no need for mechanical or manual adjustment with SMART. The parts are immediately arranged on the jig and perfect repeatability of results is guaranteed.

Among others, SMART is ideal for the automotive sector, which demands a very high-reliability rate, due to its high-quality components and simple and efficient mechanical construction which results in outstanding performance and maximum part availability.

The SMART can be integrated with loading and unloading robots and with a wide array of automatic loaders. The patented tilting system quickly brings the gripper onto the loading axis while the machine is performing the tube unloading cycle. The movement is fast and no adjustments are required. This makes it easy to integrate it into any automated production process, becoming an essential element for productivity..

ELECT40: The first piece is always right with this All-Electric tube bending machine 

ELECT40 is an all-electric tube bender with freely configurable left or right-handed bending capability and VGP3D graphic visual programming.
With the All-Electric technology, adjustments and bending parameters are saved in the software to guarantee repeatability and the possibility to quickly switch to a new
production. Furthermore, B_Tools calculates the amount of springback and material elongation during tube bending so that the first piece of every production change is right from the start.

The ELECT40 is extremely versatile allowing it to be configured to suit your needs and used in all working situations including: bending with a small radius-to-diameter ratio,
bending in variable radius, bending special section tubes, high-strength materials and stainless steel with high springback.

The ELECT40 can be fed manually or automatically by positioning loaders and/or feeders on either the left or right side of the machine.

E-FLEX: To create with wire, simply and productively

E-FLEX is an all-electric twin-head wire bending machine capable of bending metal wire with a diameter of up to 10 mm.

Using a space-saving bending head with planetary movement around the wire, and the double turret for implementing a wide array of different bending technologies, the E-FLEX offers complete freedom in the coil production of objects of any type, in an extremely fast and repeatable manner.

With VGP3D, all the job parameters are saved together with the part program. No specific knowledge is needed for use or retooling.

All-electric technology, superior quality components, the possibility of equipping the system with tools with grooves, specific tools for parts with a high aesthetic finish, and a cutting system also controlled by a dedicated electric axis for the best cutting quality and longer tool life, are just some of the features that make E-FLEX an extremely versatile, powerful system that offers infinite application possibilities in the most diverse sectors.

AST8-VE: compact, efficient, easy-to-use all-electric tube end-forming machine

AST8-VE is an all-electric vertical tube end-forming machine with a thrust force of up to 8 tons. The machine can be equipped with different types of punches and rotary or orbital cutting tools for performing a wide range of machining operations, including tapering, widening, end milling, cutting, deburring and insertion of single and double flanges, on tubes of any metal material, up to 40 mm in diameter.

The all-electric drive offers extremely short set-up times and meets the high standards of repeatability and quality demanded by today's market. In addition, the absence of hydraulic systems ensures quieter operation and greater energy efficiency.

The vertical configuration of the punching carriage and its ultra-compact design means the AST8-VE saves space on the shop floor and the operator can work comfortably at all times, even in groups of several machines arranged side by side.

The swivelling control panel allows the operator to program the system from the most convenient position and to maintain control of the work cycle at all times. The simple and userfriendly programming software, the quick punch change system and the minimal set-up operations required by the allelectric technology allow efficient operation at all times and increase daily productivity.

Even during maintenance, inspection and cleaning operations, the AST8-VE makes life easier for the operator with its many convenient openings that provide immediate access to the waste collection tank and the electrical, pneumatic and lubrication systems.

Software

BLMelements: A complete software suite for managing your processing technologies

In parallel to laser cutting systems, BLM GROUP offers a suite of native software programs that make the most of the power of the equipment thus providing users with excellent work performance and robust process features for programming both on the machine and in the office.

VGP3D is the three-dimensional graphic programming software for BLM GROUP tube bending machines and wire benders. Simple, user-friendly, powerful and also available in an office version, it allows the operator to create any shape or geometry with a few simple clicks.

ArTube is the BLM GROUP CAD/CAM software for programming Lasertube systems allowing operators to draw, manipulate and design single parts or complex tubular assemblies of any section. Artube is the most complete CAD/CAM making it dynamic and adaptable to the customer’s specific needs.

ArtCut is the CAM 3D laser cutting cells software for programming new parts offline and starting production quickly and easily. With its immediate and user-friendly 3D graphics, ArtCut simplifies the programming of any three-dimensional workpiece and automatically solves any collisions. The cutting program simulation is remarkably true to reality.

PartViewer runs a graphical simulation of cutting programs for Lasertube systems and estimates execution times and costs..

ProTube is production MES, a single interface for easy and transparent management of part programs for the BLM GROUP machines. Protube can be used to prepare technologically precise work orders in the office, to efficiently plan production, send production orders to the connected plants and keep track of all operations. It applies artificial intelligence strategies and data interconnection with the customer's corporate ERP. Protube is the key enabler for the evolution of smart Industry 4.0 applications..

Services

Always customer-oriented with dedicated solutions

BLM GROUP offers a wide range of services designed to accompany the customer throughout the lifecycle of the system to maintain the highest level of efficiency and machine availability. The many services that the group offers include:

Software and remote assistance contracts, for quickly resolving any unexpected problems and providing support in the event of new production needs. Remote assistance also uses augmented reality tools, like Active Eye, to quickly transmit the necessary instructions to the operator.

BLManalytics can be used to monitor the production data of the machines in real-time to see useful information on the general trend of system use, highlighting potential critical areas and possible scope for improvement. This will allow quick, targeted and effective strategic decisions, ensuring maximum efficiency and reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

Maintenance plans. allow the customer to choose the maintenance plan that best suits their production rate, plan operations so that they never interrupt production and increase the life of each machine by adopting specific activity schedules: routine and/or supplementary maintenance and repair of faults and supply of spare parts..

Whatever the production context, the BLM GROUP has a complete range of solutions for the machining of tubes, sheet metal and any three-dimensional metal profile, enhanced by dedicated software solutions and a portfolio of services that provide customers with all-around support.

For more information:
Chiara Vaccari – Corporate Communication Coordinator BLM GROUP
E-Mail: pr@blmgroup.it