TRUMPF launched new technologies to reduce energy and material consumption
TRUMPF has showcased a range of solutions to make sheet-metal fabrication more sustainable at this year’s European trade fairs, 33BIMU and EuroBLECH. The high-tech company aims to leverage its position as a solution provider to help customers make their factories more competitive and eco-friendlier. “Our customers have seen huge increases in the cost of production due to higher energy prices. Our technologies reduce the use of energy-intensive materials and are less power-hungry overall. By offering more sustainable and lower-carbon methods of sheet metal fabrication, we can help companies fight more effectively against climate change and slash the cost of materials and manufacturing,” says Stephan Mayer, CEO of Machine Tools at TRUMPF.
The solutions TRUMPF presented at EuroBLECH include its new ‘Eco Cooler’ system that controls the temperature of laser-cutting machines using pure water instead of chemical refrigerants. This novel cooling solution uses 80% less energy than conventional systems and is 100% non-polluting.
Digitalisation and automation still driving the future of the industry
TRUMPF continued to expand its market-leading position as a premier supplier and user of digitally connected sheet-metal fabrication solutions. “Digitalization and automation are still the most important trends in the future of our industry. Upstream and downstream activities in the laser cutting process account for 80% of job throughput time. By systematically digitalizing their manufacturing operations, companies can save time and significantly boost their productivity,” says Mayer. TRUMPF’s booth at EuroBLECH showcased the new functions of its proprietary production planning and control software Oseon, which included a module for reducing non-productive activities. Headland also offers smart factory consulting to help companies optimise their processes through digitalisation.
TRUMPF expands portfolio of entry-level machines
The shortage of skilled workers is currently one of the biggest challenges in sheet metal production. TRUMPF continues to expand its share of the market in simpler, more affordable machines. In 2021, the high-tech company introduced an entry-level laser-cutting machine and an entry-level laser welding machine, and this year’s EuroBLECH customers witnessed the launch of an entry-level bending machine, the TruBend 1000. “By expanding our portfolio, we’re tapping into a growing market for simpler machines. The machines are just as reliable, robust, and durable as our high-end models, but significantly more affordable,” says Mayer. These entry-level machines from TRUMPF meet the same high safety standards as its high-end solutions, and they also provide users with access to the same tried-and-tested range of TRUMPF services. Easy to program and operate, these new machines help companies to address the shortage of skilled labour. Customers who choose to purchase them can also take advantage of suitable financing packages.
Solutions for the most demanding applications
At EuroBLECH, TRUMPF also showcased a series of novel solutions for taking manufacturing productivity and profitability to an even higher level. “Cutting-edge technology lies at the heart of TRUMPF machines. Developing solutions for the most ambitious sheet-metal fabricators is our core business, and our EuroBLECH booth will offer more great examples of how we put that into practice,” says Mayer. Innovations on show at the booth included a new robot gripper for automated bending cells that allows companies to switch between materials faster and carry out cost-effective low-volume manufacturing. The high-tech company has also doubled the laser power of its TruLaser 5000 laser-cutting machine from 12kW to 24kW. This increases the maximum sheet thickness and enables customers to boost their productivity by up to 80%.