Lantek improves 3D design and profile cutting processes with new Lantek Flex3D Profiles

Lantek presents a new powerful and dynamic tool for the easy and intuitive creation of 3D designs for profiles and for raising the productivity levels of the associated profile cutting machinery.

Lantek, world leader in CAD/CAM software and on-demand Management Software Solutions (ERP) for the sheet metal manufacturing sector, announces the release of its new Lantek Flex3D Profiles which makes the design and cutting of 3D profiles easier and more dynamic for companies in the metal structures construction sector.

Flex3D Profiles is part of the Lantek Flex3D product range, and is focused on the design and cutting of standard profiles. Lantek Flex3D has been improved with the aim of increasing the productivity of profile cutting machines (sawing, drilling and cutting) as well as creating 3D designs in an intuitive and simple way, giving a true simulation of the result that the user will achieve when machining a profile.

During the development of the new profiles module, Lantek combined innovation with its experience and skill in the sector. This was gained from more than 20 years developing design and programming systems for sheet metal cutting, punching and bending machines and applying it to the profile cutting industry.

Lantek consulted extensively with its customers (over 9000 companies worldwide) in the development of Flex3D Profiles, implementing suggested technology and techniques to make the system one of the most complete tools available in the market for profiles machining.

“At Lantek we remain faithful to our commitment to offer innovative, comprehensive and flexible solutions capable of simplifying production processes and, above all, fulfilling sheet metal companies’ requests, enabling them to significantly increase productivity"", says Mr. Alberto García, Flex3D Product Manager. ""We are convinced that Flex3D Profiles will bridge the gap between the basics functions offered by current programming systems and the new developments and functionality added by the manufacturers of these types of machines”.

Technical innovation integrates with production management

There are many technical innovations included in Lantek’s new Flex3D Profiles module. The user can easily design any type of standard profile (I, U, L, T, H, square and round tubes), simulate in 3D the head movement of the machine, the profiles, and the machining operations of every tool. This ensures the best profile optimization and minimizes the possibility of errors.

The system then generates NC files to send directly to the machine (CNC code, DSTV or DSTV+) adapted to suit the control of any profile or tube cutter.

Lantek Flex 3D Profiles is totally integrated with the Lantek Expert III Production Control System. Lantek Flex3D provides integral management for any company dedicated to the storing and production of profiles and structures. From the manufacturing operations module in Lantek Expert III the user can run specific jobs, import DSTV files, produce quotations, and manage the status of steel sheets, profiles and tubes, in real time.

Data from third party CAD systems used for designing structures can be also be imported into Lantek Flex 3D Profiles. Supported formats, such as DSTV, SAT and CAM files, can include machining operations which can be modified, deleted and added to, so that the user can have complete control of the cutting process.

The new software includes tools for optimizing the profile path and for CNC file generation. These include automatic, semi-automatic or manual lead in/out generation; multiple nesting methods; remnant management; and options for manually altering the cutting sequence vectors that the system automatically calculates for cutting head machines.

The powerful simulation in Lantek Flex3D Profiles clearly displays the profiles to be cut. Additionally, it shows all the machining operations and tools, as well as the cutting head trajectory. It also automatically detects potential collisions and allows the user to modify the path to overcome the problem. Wherever possible, Lantek Flex3D Profiles automatically avoids collisions. Should one occur it is highlighted during the simulation phase. A single environment for design and post-processing enables NC code, tailored to each specific machine, to be automatically generated from the contours programmed on each profile.

“With Lantek Flex3D Profiles we continually strive to offer a wider range of products which will make the design and manufacture of 3D profile parts easier. Our ability to import designs from most popular structures design systems enables us to optimize and simplify the machining process. Overall Lantek Flex3D Profile provides a tool which companies can rely on for their daily operations and which will improve their competitiveness,” says Mr. Alberto Garcia

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 9000 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, South, Spain (Headquarter), Turkey, UK, US and, supported by a wide distribution network all over the world.

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