Innovations in all product areas

Mr. Waser, what can visitors to EuroBLECH expect from Bystronic this year?

This year our exhibition appearance runs under the motto "World Class Manufacturing". This reflects that we are presenting a comprehensive program of new products and services, which enable us to sustainably optimize our customers' processes and gear them towards success.

Our visitors can look forward to innovations in all of Bystronic's product areas. Namely: cutting, bending, software, and services. 

In your opinion, which trends are currently dominating the sheet metal processing industry?

Added value is an important trend. The main question here is: How can parts be produced along the cutting and bending process chain as profitably as possible? With solutions that increase efficiency and reduce production costs, we support our customers in achieving this. In my opinion, a further trend is flexible machine systems, which can be easily upgraded according to the order situation. In the production step of cutting, the fiber laser is most certainly a further trend.

Fiber laser technology is developing at an incredible pace and is advancing ever further into the CO2 laser's fields of application. Where does Bystronic stand?

We recognized the potential of the fiber laser at an early stage and adjusted the focus of our development accordingly.

For example, we equip our BySprint Fiber with a 6 kilowatt fiber laser. This allows us to meet the demand for fast cutting times. In addition, we are increasing the fiber laser's spectrum of applications even further with our new additional functions. With the new Power Cut Fiber, users can now achieve extremely fine cutting quality in sheet thicknesses up to 30 mm. The Detection Eye speeds up the detection of the position of metal sheets. This function enables the users to save time and optimize raw material usage.

Where do you see further potential for process optimization in the field of laser cutting?

Next to high performance machines, innovative service products are increasing in importance. Throughout the entire process related to cutting and bending, there are many opportunities to optimize.

For example, the ByOptimizer, which we are presenting at EuroBLECH, is an exclusive online service that provides users with optimized cutting plans. With ByOptimizer we expand the performance potential of our laser machines. This innovative service is currently unique on the market.

How exactly does ByOptimizer work?

Thanks to an innovative cluster technology the cut parts are grouped on the metal sheet in an extremely efficient manner. This saves material, reduces cutting times and ultimately increases the profit per cutting job.

In order to achieve an optimization of the cutting plans that ensures process reliability, ByOptimizer factors in the geometry and the characteristics of the parts to be cut, but also the power of the laser in use. During the optimization process, the technology accesses a comprehensive database.

Which bending innovations is Bystronic presenting at the exhibition?

We are presenting a new pressbrake. The Xpert 40 is a compact speed-machine with an innovative design. It is extremely well suited for efficiently processing small bent parts, regardless of whether in small or large batches. The pressbrake has a maximum press capacity of 40 tons and a bending length of up to one meter. In line with the "plug and bend" principle, the machine is set up and ready to use in less than five minutes. With the Xpert 40, we are closing an important gap in our range of pressbrakes. The launch of sales is planned for the spring of 2015.

Which technological leaps in the field of waterjet cutting await the customers?

In the field of waterjet cutting, we are supporting the trend towards flexible machine systems. Hence, we developed the ByJet Flex, a waterjet cutting system that allows the cutting range and the range of functions to be adapted to a wide range of customer requirements.

For example, the ByJet Flex's cutting range can be extended from 2 by 3 meters up to a maximum of 10 by 3 meters according to requirements. And by exchanging the cutting head, users can convert the machine from 2D to 3D cutting technology. Furthermore, there are further additional functions with which the machine's performance spectrum can be extended at any time.

A final question regarding software: Bystronic claims to invest a lot into the further development of its in-house process software Bysoft. What is the significance of software for Bystronic?

BySoft 7 allows us to support our customers throughout the entire production process: from planning orders, constructing parts and assemblies, programming cutting and bending plans, right through to shipping the finished products. A powerful software program, which is simple to use, significantly increases our customers’ productivity in all of these steps. Therefore, we are constantly working on the further development of our software. At EuroBLECH we will present BySoft 7 with numerous new functions. Just stop by at our exhibition booth and discover "World Class Manufacturing".