Blechexpo 2019:
a matter of form
Steed Webzell looks ahead to Blechexpo 2019 (5-8 November, Stuttgart),
selecting some top picks that are sure to attract the crowds
The 14th edition of Blechexpo will
welcome exhibitors and expert visitors
to Stuttgart with world-class
developments covering all aspects of sheet
metal, pipe and profile processing.
Blechexpo takes place once every two years
and this year will see an increase of more
than 150 primary exhibitors and 20%
additional floor space in comparison to
2017’s edition.
Among those set to take their regular
place at the show will be Amada, which will
be promoting its recently introduced Ventis-
3015AJ; the first fibre laser cutting machine
to feature the company’s LBC (Locus Beam
Control) technology (more details: https://is.
gd/uyolux). LBC improves both processing
quality and productivity in stainless steel
and aluminium. The machine also houses a
newly developed, high brightness fibre laser
oscillator with a single-diode module (4 kW).
In conventional fibre laser cutting
systems, energy density reduces as material
thickness increases, leading to a lack of
BLECHEXPO 2019 PREVIEW SHEET METAL IN PROFILE
efficiency and the need for de-focusing the
beam. Conversely, the use of LBC
technology, which is said to be a world-first
for the laser cutting market, offers flexible
beam pattern control matched to each
application, while retaining high efficiency
cutting and high energy density. De-focusing
is therefore no longer required. In short, LBC
technology can freely manipulate the laser
beam to create an infinite number of locus
patterns that are advantageous to cutting
performance. Of particular note, LBC
technology can operate in three primary
modes: productivity mode, quality mode and
kerf-control mode.
The most notable gains from the
integrated LBC technology are available on
stainless steel up to 20 mm thick and
aluminium up to 18 mm. Offering 3,070 by
1,550 by 100 mm in the X, Y and Z axes,
respectively, the Amada Ventis is powered
by the company’s proprietary AMNC 3i
control.
Over on the stand of Trumpf (https://
is.gd/uviboq), show visitors will discover a
central theme of intelligent networking. The
company will be able to explain how sheet
metalworking shops can benefit from
Industry 4.0 and explore the potential of
networked production using Trumpf
TruConnect solutions that allow step-by-step
integration of the whole manufacturing
process. In addition, visitors will learn how
Trumpf Smart Services, such as Easy Order,
Service App and Remote Service, can
simplify daily business functions.
The focus on the stand of Yamazaki
Mazak (https://is.gd/otocah) is likely to be
the company’s recently introduced 4 kW
laser processing centre, which is capable of
cutting pipe or tube up 8,000 mm long. With
options available up to more than 15,000
mm, the 3D Fabri Gear III is suitable for
cutting long and heavy tube used in the
construction industry, such as building
structures, heating and ventilation systems,
and machinery applications like cranes and
agricultural machinery.
The Ventis-3015AJ
is the first Amada
machine to feature
LBC technology
www.machinery.co.uk @MachineryTweets October 2019 43
/is
/otocah)
/www.machinery.co.uk