elumatec Insight 2023: seamless welding solution wows customers during record-breaking event at InfoCenter in Mühlacker

Over 400 customers and interested parties from 25 countries find out more on site / Live presentations and factory tours / Someco: new technology for seamless PVC welding makes a splash

Mühlacker, October 2023. Record visitor numbers at the elumatec AG InfoCenter: More than 400 guests from 25 countries came to the “Insight 2023” customer event from 25 to 29 September to find out more about machines, software and applications in aluminium and PVC machining.

Whether it was metal, façade or window construction, an industrial customer from Europe or a medium-sized company from Australia, attendees gained exciting insights and detailed answers to their questions during live presentations at the elumatec InfoCenter. For the fourth event of its kind, the entire German sales team were out in force at the headquarters in Mühlacker, along with the managing directors of elumatec’s subsidiaries. “We’re delighted that we can give current and potential customers this unique, practical opportunity to share knowledge and experience. The enormous interest and the positive feedback make clear that we are offering exactly what they need, so we will hold another Insight event in Mühlacker in 2024”, said Paolo Bianchi, CEO of elumatec AG.

Goodbye corner cleaning machine, hello seamless welding

The venue for the event was the InfoCenter, which opened in May 2022 and offers 2,000 square metres of space for machinery. Visitors had the chance to experience elumatec’s new products and perennial favourites, as well as Someco’s products and services. The Someco brand brings together elumatec and the PVC specialists from Emmegi, both subsidiaries of the Voilàp Group, who combine their expertise in machining centres, welding and corner cleaning to produce machines for state-of-the-art PVC machining.

Many of the guests were particularly drawn to the new seamless welding technology, and as a result they admired the latest version of the Someco SM 4H, a fully digital PVC welding machine boasting this new solution. Not only does a new welding process developed by Someco lead to results that look better – as the combination of the machine and profile counterpart seamless technology does not produce any welding beads, there’s no longer any need for a corner cleaning machine to remove the welding beads. Controlled axes move the PVC segments to ensure the necessary precision. “The system significantly simplifies and reduces the time needed for the subsequent processing cycle, which is a big gain in terms of productivity and the quality of the results”, said Armin Dangel, Head of PVC Technical Sales at elumatec.

SBZ 625

Future-proof: the modular SBZ 625 is the latest development from elumatec for PVC window manufacturers who want to be at the technological cutting edge.
Picture credit: elumatec AG, Mühlacker, Germany

SBZ 625: big, fast and ready for the future of PVC machining

The new SBZ 625 high-performance sawing and machining centre also sparked lots of interest. The modular SBZ 625 is the latest development from elumatec for PVC window manufacturers who want to be at the technological cutting edge. Launched under the brand name Someco, the machine is the prototype of a fast, single-operator machining centre equipped for the demands of the future. All the operator has to do is place the profiles from the profile pallets, positioned in the immediate vicinity of the SBZ 625, onto the automatic pre-loading magazine.Up to eight tools then simultaneously machine the complete PVC profile before it is transported to the next station, where three high-speed sawing units cut the profile to the desired length. “We will be introducing more modules for this innovative machining centre at trade fairs and at our InfoCenter in the near future”, said Dangel.

Live demonstrations of aluminium profile machining centres also attracted lots of attention. Here are some of the highlights:

SBZ 628 XXL

a pass-through system with unbeatable performance
Picture credit: elumatec AG, Mühlacker, Germany

SBZ 628 XXL: a pass-through system with unbeatable performance

The most powerful model in the 628 series demonstrates its high flexibility as profiles pass through in live operation. The three configuration levels – S, XL or XXL – of the machine are available in two running directions, enabling customised solutions for all users and for a wide range of process sequences. The available options, including profile support, axis-controlled clamp adjustment and proportional valves to provide specific clamping pressures for particular profiles, allow the system to be set up to suit customers’ individual requirements.

SBZ 155

The SBZ 155 profile machining centre is a top-of-the-range model in a gantry design that makes 5-axis profile machining easier than ever before.
Picture credit: elumatec AG, Mühlacker, Germany

SBZ 155: making 5-axis profile machining easier than ever before

The 5-axis top-of-the-range model combines previously unattained performance with a pioneering design. The tool changeover times are minimised by the high rates of travel of the servo axes to guarantee optimum machining cycles, and customisable equipment options give customers maximum flexibility to make their production processes even more efficient.

SBZ 125/85

SBZ 125/85 profile machining centre: ergonomics, access and set-up times have been optimised for the successor to the SBZ 122.

The machine is suitable for dynamic shuttle operation, and it can also be used across workstations. The working length is up to 8 metres.

Picture credit: elumatec AG, Mühlacker, Germany

SBZ 125/85: dynamic shuttle operation

This enclosed cabin machine, with an eight-metre working length, five axes and dynamic shuttle operation, allows users to mill and insert new materials at the same time – a remarkably effective solution that can replace two smaller machines. The enhanced version of the successful SBZ 122 model boasts autonomous clamp positioning, and access is protected by a fully programmable laser.

SBZ 118

The new SBZ 118: compact, user-friendly, ready for Industry 4.0.
Picture credit: elumatec AG, Mühlacker, Germany

SBZ 118: the successful entry-level model

With full functionality in a minimal footprint and numerous customisable equipment options, the SBZ 118 is the perfect introduction to the world of CNC machining.

eluCloud: moving towards full automation

All machines at the InfoCenter use the in-house eluCloud software solution, and its capabilities were showcased in real-time operation. This application for data analysis has established itself with customers and on the market as it handles most processes, provides transparency and offers tips for optimising production – reducing costs and downtimes and leading to ongoing improvements. “Automation is a hot topic right now, and demonstrating eluCloud was a valuable opportunity for visitors to find out more about it”, said Michael Dehm, Head of Technical Sales at elumatec. He explained that if this can be taken further, so that almost the entire production process becomes automated, this will benefit elumatec customers, many of whom have been hit hard by the shortage of skilled workers.

Looking ahead, getting feedback and sharing ideas

In recent years, elumatec has invested heavily in enhancing and developing its machines and software solutions across the board. The pandemic years were used to forge ambitious plans for the future, and the results were plain to see at Insight 2023. “For our customers, we are now a system provider offering solutions across the entire production process”, said Nebojsa Wosel, General Sales Director at elumatec. How these solutions can be designed to suit customers’ specific requirements was one of the main talking points – both during the live presentations and at the evening dinner, when delicious Swabian specialities were served. “As well as giving feedback at Insight, our customers put forward their own ideas that help us develop the products they want. This makes the personal interaction in Mühlacker even more valuable”, explained Wosel.

Unlike at trade fairs, customers in Mühlacker can focus fully on elumatec thanks to a comprehensive event programme. Whether visitors were discussing the future of the industry or asking specific questions about the machines, there was ample opportunity to share ideas in a relaxed atmosphere – and the discussions continued into the evening while everyone tucked in to Maultaschen, Spätzle and other Swabian delicacies.

“Essentially, we have opened an umbrella where we can bring all our customers together”, said a delighted Paolo Bianchi. “The InfoCenter is the perfect place to do this, as it offers space to showcase our entire product range.” It’s no wonder that the InfoCenter, which opened in May 2022, doesn’t just attract visitors for corporate events – all year round, customers come from Germany, the UK, India and other markets. And that’s far from standard: elumatec is the only company in the industry to offer this kind of opportunity to discover and experience its products first hand.

Overall, the feedback from the Insight event was extremely positive. “elumatec is ideally positioned to meet the technological challenges of the future, and so are we when it comes to production”, said one of the visitors. The company’s consistent strategic development of its product range – including the software it offers – is paying off, and so is its approach to human resources management: as a company with a bright future, elumatec is attractive to customers and potential employees alike. It is currently seeking mechatronics engineers and experts in warehouse logistics, purchasing and human resources management. Interested parties can view the job vacancies at any time online on the Careers page at www.elumatec.com, or they can contact the elumatec Personnel department directly by sending an email to karriere@elumatec.com.