TRUMPF Automation and Smart Factory: Lasertek's Road to Success

Challenges

Since its founding in 2002, Lasertek has always been committed to "a respectful business relationship with the customer, high quality of the manufactured parts and strict adherence to delivery times," explains Miguel Ruiz, partner and co-founder of Lasertek. Lasertek was always aware that these goals could only be achieved with the most complete and modern machinery on the market: the systems from TRUMPF. Gradually, the factory has been expanded to include laser cutting systems for sheet metal and pipes, bending machines and even laser marking and laser welding machines.

In 2017, space requirements and production control required Lasertek to make some changes and decisions to facilitate more control over the processes. After visiting TRUMPF's smart factory in Chicago, they found the answer to their needs. "We saw that there was a very quick and easy way to meet our identified needs and gain better control over our production processes, costs and space requirements," says Felipe González, Co-managing Director of Lasertek.

Solutions

“In 2018, we conducted the first TruConnect consulting study, which mapped all of Lasertek's processes, from the engineering office to the factory,” explains González. With the introduction of TruTops Fab, the machines were automated for the first time, meaning they could improve control of the processes and connect machines and systems with each other.

Implementation

"We installed two TruStores connected to two TruLaser 5030 machines to automatically process the sheets and place them on the cutting table," explains Miguel Ruiz. In the towers they have a total of 37 niches where raw material (31 niches) and cuttings (6 niches) are stored.  “A 'Part Master' has also been installed to unload the cut parts, making it easier for the operators to unload,” concludes Miguel Ruiz.  This has enabled better control of production, cost savings, shorter delivery times and higher quality, as well as an increase in production in a smaller area.

Forecast

Lasertek wants to enjoy continuous growth, and it is clear that it will do so with the support of TRUMPF, its machines and its software. "Our goal is to bring Lasertek even closer to smart factory status and to become Spain's most flexible, modern, and technologically advanced company in our sector," says Felipe González with enthusiasm.