The Sheet Metal Tree of Knowledge

When Christoph Langen founded the Kompetenzcenter-Abkanttechnik AG in Dormagen, central Germany in 2006, he defined “innovative manufacturing processes combined with state-of-the-art machine technology” as prerequisites for quality and customer satisfaction.

The following year he started manufacturing in the neighbouring Cologne-Longerich with four employees and a production area of around 600 m². Already in 2008 two production halls, more machines and employees were added, and in 2010 another hall of 1,000 m².

In 2011, the company set up its own laser cutting facility. It was a big step toward what is today one of the most modern sheet metalworking facilities in the North Rhine-Westphalia region.

“The positive impression was reinforced by the ability to unfold all orders. From creating an individual shortening measurement table to the technical support and adjustment of the preset relief cuts. Requirements were implemented, adapted, and integrated within a very short time,” enthusiastically reports Production Manager Tilmes. “None of the competitors could even come close to fulfilling our requirements so completely.”

For the workshop drawing, the software displays all radii of the segmented bends as well as all angles of the bent edges. The biggest advantage is the ability to draw models with sharp edges. The SPI software creates a flat pattern with the correct bend radii and all corner and flange reliefs, as well as provides a ready-to-manufacture STEP model that perfectly corresponds to the real-life component. This is particularly beneficial for larger assemblies as it helps to detect and correct collision hazards.

These were necessary because due to the many bends in the components, there were no parallel surfaces to work with.” The professionals from Cologne-Longerich were also able to increase production capacity. With component drawing now available, including all information on adjustment measures and angles, production could be made significantly more economical and efficient: “In the past, we had to produce adjustment samples: often several of them until all the parameters fit. Today we need just one sample and then we can manufacture the series.”

Currently, three out of five workplaces are equipped with SPI software. Christoph Langen does not hesitate: “We will equip all workplaces in the future. The processes of work preparation have been considerably simplified. By integrating the software, we have achieved time savings of about 20% in the preparation of manufacturing documents and in the nesting of components in laser programming. In addition to saving time during design, we particularly benefit from the simultaneous creation of the GEO-files for our laser cutting system, so that this work step is no longer necessary in laser programming.

The collaboration with SPI has been very positive and effective since day one. SPI is a partner which adapts to the needs of its customers and strives to implement them promptly. This characteristic makes it easy for us to recommend SPI.”