CAD CAM Systems And Metal Manufacturing Automation Technology

Lantek will present its advanced software architectures for the manufacturing of sheet metal, tubes, and metal structures at Fabtech Expo 2026, which will be held from October 21 to 23, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada, United States. The exhibition will showcase the Lantek v46 version, designed to integrate shop floor systems and improve the manufacturing information flow in production environments with high data density.

Core Technology and System Architecture
The technical architecture of Lantek v46 focuses on the integration of the quoting, engineering, and programming phases through data processing algorithms. The iQuoting system incorporates import assistants for 3D models and complete assemblies, evaluating geometric feasibility according to production capabilities using KAI artificial intelligence technology. Furthermore, the platform extends the nesting optimization service (NOS) to punching machines, combining advanced machining strategies to maximize material utilization. The Lantek Flex3D v46 solution adds parametric modules for the design of tube joints and the automatic unfolding of curved geometries without the need to process data in external CAD applications.

Deployment or Implementation
The implementation of these software architectures requires direct interconnection with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and shop floor machining hardware. During the event, technical specialists will demonstrate how the Stackmaster system integrates with programming environments and automated storage systems to manage inventories and material flows. For structural manufacturers, the deployment includes native connectors with resource planning platforms such as Tekla PowerFab and StruMIS, allowing a continuous transmission of data from quote acceptance to technical execution on the plant floor.

Industrial Applications
The presented software solutions are targeted at the metalworking industry, covering operational environments for processing sheet metal, tubes, and structural profiles. Technical use cases include the preliminary evaluation of operations with Lantek Bend, which allows the system to calculate alternative bending solutions on different machines according to real availability and tool status. The deployment of these centralized platforms guarantees greater process stability, facilitates adaptability to changes in production priorities, and ensures technical consistency throughout the entire automotive and industrial manufacturing chain.

Operational Impact and Performance Metrics
The integration of artificial intelligence algorithms in the quoting phases reduces manual work and improves accuracy in calculating manufacturing routes and cost criteria for complex projects. The expansion of the NOS optimization service to punching environments directly reduces material waste, while the redesigned interface of Lantek Control Panel ensures a seamless visualization of shop floor events in real time. The interconnection of a larger number of production equipment to the MES system allows the collection of reliable data for the exact calculation of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), optimizing the maintainability of manufacturing infrastructures in the long term.

Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editor - adapted by AI.

www.lantek.com