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Today’s manufacturing is experiencing significant modifications. Automated manufacturing, machine-to machine communication, and intelligent process chains have now become a fundamental part of sheet metal working. The massive migration of manufacturing industries from advanced countries to developing economies stirred industrial changes in South East Asia to gather momentum.
In the past, manufacturing in Asia signified a large production volume, lowlevel technology and cheap labour, a fact that is no longer true. The only way for manufacturers in Asia to manage growing product complexity, maintain quality assurance and competitive costs is to
take advantage of the boom in global and technological advancements.
The Swiss sheet metal processing specialist Bystronic is on a mission to revolutionise economical processing of sheet metal and other flat materials in South East Asia. International Metalworking News for Asia (IMNA) spoke to Norbert Seo, Senior Vice President Market Division Asia & Australia, at the recently concluded MTA Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh).
IMNA: What products did you highlight in MTA Vietnam?
SEO: Bystronic presented the new generation of the BySprint Fiber laser cutt ing system with an expanded performance package. The design of the successful fiber laser cutting system has been fundamentally revamped. The new generation is distinguished by its dynamic lines and a larger operator panel. In addition, Bystronic is expanding the basic version of the BySprint Fiber with three powerful additional functions: Detection Eye, Observer, and Power Cut Fiber. For our customers this means: more performance, no additional cost.
IMNA: How do you prepare for the new challenges? What are the measures taken at both technological and non-technological levels in order to convert challenges into opportunities?
SEO: Our customers’ challenges consist of being able to quickly respond to their customers’ inquiries in the most efficient manner possible. The markets, sheet metal products, and batch sizes are rapidly changing. Hence, our customers require flexible solutions enable them to profitably process both large batch sizes and smallscale orders. Industry 4.0 creates important impulses that for the development of new solutions. Intelligently networked
processes, automation solutions, and at the core of all this, the fiber laser’s integrated cutting technology are key for successful sheet metal processing.
IMNA: How would you describe the current state of Bystronic product distribution in Asia compared to other regions?
SEO: We suppor t our customers worldwide with solutions for all the steps relating to industrial sheet metal processing. Regardless of whether the customers are in Asia, Europe or America. We always live
up to the same claim: Best choice for our customers. In the Asian market, we merely expand our range of solutions with regard to a few aspects in order to better fulfil our customers’ local requirements.
IMNA: Metal manufacturing is changing and your machines have to keep pace with the transition. Has Bystronic changed at the same time?
SEO: We invest a great deal of resources in the development of new technologies and the constant improvement of our products. In addition, we frequently involve customers in the design phase of
our products. This enables us to set new trends and support our customers with suitable solutions at precisely the time they are required.
With regard to digital solutions, for example, we were the first supplier on the market to offer a cloud service that provides users with laser cutting support. Our latest cutting and bending systems are ready for Industry 4.0. Now, in the next step, we can add intelligent functions to the systems. Currently, for example, the Detection Eye, Power Cut, or the Observer. All these functions increase the performance spectrum of our BySprint Fiber laser cutting system.
IMNA: Which industry has the strongest growth in laser cutting systems in Vietnam, and how do you describe the present state of the metalworking industry there?
SEO: Almost all industries are growing very fast in Vietnam, especially the construction business. Most of our customers come from the electric and construction industries, and they require our machines. The market in South East Asia is growing, and Vietnam is one of the fastest growing markets. We are participating in this growth; and as a result to that growth, we will be opening a demo centre here within the year.
IMNA: What do you see in the future for your products in Asia?
SEO: We see a continued trend in the field of fiber lasers. This technology enables users to achieve outstanding cutting results at breath-taking cutting speeds right through to the high range of sheet thicknesses up to 25 millimeters. This is laser cutting at the level of Formula One. With the 4 kilowatt BySmart Fiber, we offer the optimal entry-level solution into this cutting technology. For users with more sophisticated demands, we offer the BySprint Fiber, a high-end solution, which, thanks to advanced additional functions and automation options, leaves nothing to be desired.
However, we also have the right products for the subsequent process step: bending. With the Xact Smart press brake, we offer Swiss leading-edge technology at attractive conditions. The Xact Smart is ideal for ambitious first-time users who are looking for a high-quality press brake in the medium price segment. For our customers in the high-end segment, we offer the Xpert and Xcite; two high performance press brakes that round off our portfolio.
IMNA: To sum up, what would you say were the keys to Bystronic’s ongoing success story in Asia?
SEO: Bystronic stands for Swiss quality state-of-the-art technology. We offer our customers intelligent process solutions that extend far beyond the individual machine: incoming order processing, cutting preparations, cutting, bending, and delivery of the finished parts. We integrate all these steps into an efficient sheet metal working process that results in profits and success for our customers. And another important aspect: As a reliable partner, we support these process solutions with a comprehensive range of services. Even the best process is of no use to our customer without the corresponding know-how of our technology experts, well-trained service technicians, and a well-networked infrastructure.
