Lantek launches Lantek Factory at Basque Industry 4.0

Lantek has been helping many major sheet metal companies from around the world operating in the retail shopfitting market to manufacture high quality cabinets, refrigerated displays and fixtures, with its Lantek solutions suite of sheet metal software.

Common requirements in this industry include the need for parameterised designs, which enable the supply of standard product ranges in different sizes and configurations to suit the layout of individual retail premises; the design and manufacture of bespoke display cabinets for both hot food and refrigerated applications; the delivery of high quality finishes on the display units; and control of manufacturing production to keep within the time constraints of many construction and shopfitting projects running concurrently.

By integrating directly with the customer’s CAD system, Lantek is able to provide solutions for the parametric unfolding of cabinet designs and the realisation of complex duct intersections using its Lantek Flex3d and Lantek Expert Duct products which operate inside its Lantek Expert CAD/CAM software. High productivity and quality is ensured by the technology built into Lantek Expert which is able to use the full capabilities of punching, laser and combination machines and, through extensive nesting options, maximise material utilisation through a dynamic response to continually changing production requirements. Special functions include common line cutting which reduces cutting time, implementation of special forming tools which enables parts to be finished in one operation and expert technology that avoids running over finished parts to preserve the quality of specially coated components.

Companies using Lantek software are able to optimize the production capabilities of their workshops by mixing the manufacture of bespoke designs with the manufacture of standard products. Any gaps in production capacity can be filled by producing additional standard products in advance of orders, giving the possibility of their immediate delivery. Not only will this keep laser and punching machines operating at full capacity, but it will also minimize material wastage and reduce product handling by filling each sheet of material completely.

As well as supporting the manufacture of high quality components, Lantek Integra provides companies in this industry with the tools to control and monitor the entire manufacturing process. The ability to integrate with existing company systems makes Lantek Integra a highly flexible solution which offers customer relationship management, purchasing, stock control, work in progress and quality control and links to accounting packages. Where standard products are being manufactured the system can evaluate component stocks and WIP against order requirements ensuring that exactly the right quantity of each part is requested in a works order to the factory. In addition to in-house manufactured parts, Lantek Integra allows the control of purchasing and stock levels of bought in items such as handles, refrigeration compressors and hinges, keeping track of both costs and expected delivery dates to ensure the on-time fulfilment of contracts.

Real time data recording from the shop floor enables activities to be monitored as they occur, while comparison with historical and planned information helps managers to recognise deviations and apply corrective action quickly and effectively.

For companies in the retail display sector, Lantek’s technical support is highly important as the skill and knowledge of its engineers helps tailor the solution to the individual needs of the customer. The result is high levels of transparency, which covers the complete process from order to purchasing to manufacture to delivery, enabling managers to make informed decisions, optimise their production operations, produce products to the planned cost and delivery schedule, and get the maximum return from their investment in Lantek.

Lantek has many clients in this industry all over the world including major suppliers such as Carter Retail Equipment in the UK which manufactures central refrigeration plant for use in retail, commercial and light industrial applications, either from its extensive standard product range or bespoke individually designed units; and Alan Nuttal, also in the UK, which supplies supermarkets, food halls and specialist food stores with innovative products such as hot food counters for rotisserie products and refrigerated displays for meat and fresh fish, to a custom specification.

About Lantek

Lantek is a leading global multinational regarding the development and commercialization of software solutions for the metal industry and the machine tool sector. Its capacity for innovation and its firm commitment to internationalization and emerging markets have led Lantek, founded in 1986 in the Basque Country and with central offices in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Alava), to devise a global-local strategy, which has meant it has become a global reference within the industry with its CAD/CAM/MES/ERP solutions. Today, the company has over 15,000 customers in over 100 countries and its own offices in 15 countries, in addition to an extensive network of distributors that are present throughout the world.