Lantek and Kerf to offer best profile-cutting solution together

January 23, 2013 5:15 am

Lantek and Kerf to offer best profile-cutting solution together
Lantek Systems and Kerf Developments have been collaborating for over 5 years in the UK to offer sheet-material manufacturers a one-stop, premium solution for CADCAM, oxy-fuel, plasma and water-jet cutting. Together the two companies have installed around 100 systems at all types of companies, including leading end users within the industry.
“Our most popular machines are high-density plasma and oxy-fuel,” Dan Taylor, Managing Director, Kerf Developments said. “We work with Lantek because of the support it offers and the capabilities of its Lantek Expert software. In particular, it minimises user input with automatic lead-in and lead-out moves. Its auto nesting is quick and easy to use and produces excellent material utilisation results.”
Kerf’s oxy-fuel and plasma machines use the Burny 10 control system which is the market leader. The plasma machines also use the Kaliburn high-density plasma-cutting power supply. These use the company’s proprietary technology which includes special ramping and piercing routines which increase consumable life, produce a high-quality cut, and reduce operating costs. Furthermore, the machine can achieve 2 degree bevel on the profiled part edges for the lifetime of the Kaliburn consumables.
Mr Taylor added, “We have the ability to remotely interrogate a machine at the customer’s site to diagnose any fault or operating problem. Because Lantek’s engineers understand the machine control interface as well as their CADCAM software, we can, where necessary, allow them to remotely access the machine control. This ensures that with Lantek, we can accurately pin down any issues on the customer’s site and deliver a solution which often avoids the need for a service visit.” Kerf keeps an extensive range of spare parts at its Rochdale headquarter. Remote diagnostics ensure that the right spare parts can be brought along at the first visit, getting the user up and running again as quickly as possible.
Lantek Expert includes dedicated technology for the full range of Kerf’s machines including its water-jet profilers. These machines are ideal for cutting nonconductive materials, eliminate any thermal damage to the parts being cut and remove the need for secondary operations on the component. Dan Taylor further said, “The technology in Lantek Expert addresses all the techniques required by the three different processes. For example, the software has a heat avoidance routine which cuts one area on the oxy-fuel machine, then moves to the opposite corner to continue cutting while the first area cools.”
“We have a very good relationship with Kerf Developments,” Rob Powell, Managing Director, Lantek Systems said. “They supply high-quality machinery, and together we offer a system which is optimised for efficient, profitable manufacture. Our engineers understand Kerf’s machines and technology, and Kerf’s engineers understand our software, giving customers a uniquely seamless, integrated solution.”