TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG

Using best-practice examples, TRUMPF demonstrates savings potential in costs, material and processing time A new way of thinking: The Sheet Metal Alternative - that is the slogan of TRUMPF for the EMO 2007. Many metal manufacturing processes can be considerably improved using innovative designs and the right combination of machines.

 A decisive step often includes supplementing - or even replacing - metal cutting processes with sheet metal processing. TRUMPF will use a number of examples at the EMO to demonstrate real options for optimizing costs, manufacturing and functions (visit us in Hall 12 (machining hall) at Booth C60/C76).

This year's roughly 500 square meter booth will be filled with a wide variety of workpieces. While TRUMPF will also be exhibiting four machines, the focus will remain on what can be produced with them: Punching and bending products are normally much more economical compared with equivalent milled parts not only because of the lower machine price. Like laser-cut and laser-welded parts, they also have the advantage of faster production, as well as lower material and equipment costs.

Functional aspects frequently parallel the financial benefits, demonstrating that it pays to redesign parts and "think sheet metal." For example, a laser-cut and laser-brazed hydraulic control block made by Voith Turbo H+L Hydraulic GmbH & Co. KG, which was manufactured using what is known as multilayer technology, is not only considerably smaller than its milled counterpart, but also one-fourth more powerful - at lower costs. This best-practice example will be exhibited at the TRUMPF booth together with many others to demonstrate - in the truest sense of the word - the potential TRUMPF technologies offer for safeguarding future competitive advantages.

"Many designers do not yet consider sheet metal despite its low cost, low weight and versatility," observed Jörg Heusel, Director of Designer Training at TRUMPF. "However, as soon as they engage themselves in the topic - for example as part of our sheet metal forming workshop - most are quickly convinced of the benefits." During this course, which has been held 178 times since 1998, trainees develop ideas for the future in an experimental workshop, learn about designs optimized for costs and processes, and look for new solutions for parts they deal with in everyday production.

The results of this workshop and of many individual consultations with customers were incorporated into the EMO exhibition concept. At the booth TRUMPF will demonstrate how precise and flexible sheets of all thicknesses can be processed on the latest generation of machines.