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INSPIRED FOR TUBE 

Number 14 May 2011

Made in Italy 

17 March 2011 

150th anniversary of the 

Italian Republic 

Originally, the Italian textile firms were using the 

words "Made in Italy” to distinguish their products 

from those made in other European countries 

who did not take too kindly to goods entering their 

markets from our country. Today, in the era of the global 

market, those three words have become synonymous 

with absolute quality and desire for millions of people 

from all continents. 

It seems that today the "Made in Italy" brand is the third 

most renowned after Coca-Cola and Visa. 

INSPIRED FOR TUBE Opinion 

It is clear that the present meaning of "Made in Italy” 

placed in different forms on articles of fashion, food and 

wine or a machine tool goes beyond a mere geographical 

indication and bears a clear reference to the Italian 

"lifestyle"; a concept that encompasses many aspects 

and meanings. It is worthwhile to mention a few that 

have more immediate feedback in the modern industrial 

world: the ability to innovate, which results from the 

undeniable Italian design and high quality of the products, 

both from a reliability standpoint, the legacy of a 

tradition of craftsmanship that has evolved successfully 

into industry, as well as from an aesthetic point of view, 

the result of the inherent Italian flair for "beauty". 

To understand why these skills have developed in Italy 

it is sufficient to take a look at the work of Leonardo da 

Vinci with machinery and mechanisms of the Atlantic 

Code, the mechanisms in the Madrid Code or the outstanding 

studies relating to flying. 

With these deep-rooted values the Italian mechanical industry 

has reached absolute levels of achievements. 

Today, Italy is the third largest producer of machine tools 

and it is easy to verify the consideration and appreciation 

of these products the world over. Italian machine 

tools are synonymous with quality and reliability. 

As Italians, we can be very proud of being global machine 

tool manufacturers and exporters of a quality label. 

Giovanni Zacco 

Market Development Manager 

3

Contents 


5 

FURNITURE 

Doing what is needed when needed 


9 

12 

16 

AUTOMOTIVE 

From “Sofia” to Beyoncé ... an exceptional cast 

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY 

More flexibility with automation 

BLM GROUP 

Process efficiency depends on the software 

18 

21 

24 

26 

28 

FURNITURE 

The chair is produced by a man-machine union 

JOB SHOP 

The good thing about the lucky choice 

JOB SHOP 

The small lots strategy 

ELEVATED PLATFORMS 

From laser to new engineering solutions 

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY 

The advantage of being born on a farm 

pdf version and other news can be found in: 

www.blmgroup.com 


Inspired for tube By 

Area Comunicazione 


Giovanni Zacco 

Emanuela Colombo 

Cristina Guzzetti 

e-mail: pr@blm.it 

tel. +39 031 7070 200 

Produced by 


Via Selvaregina 30 

22063 Cantù (CO) Italy 

www.blmgroup.it 

Number 


Nr. 14 - 5/2010 

Design and Graphics by 

Studio Grafico Page 

Vincenzo De Rosa 

Fabrizio Santini 

Printed by 

AleCom Srl - Bregnano CO 

Photo 

Fabrizio Santini 

Vincenzo De Rosa 

Reproduction, even only in part, of 

the articles and illustrations published 

in this newsletter is strictly prohibited 

unless otherwise authorised.

Doing what is needed 

when needed 

In Greek, Oikos means “house” and no other 

name could be more perfect and fortunate to 

indicate a company operating in the field of 

security door manufacturing. The company was 

set up in May 1990 by Fabio Buscato and Mario 

Biancolin who had taken over and revived a 

company previously operating in the same 

field. This objective was also reached thanks to 

the laser tube that made production set to “lot 

1” flexible. Lots consisting of 15 identical doors 

are no longer manufactured, but only a single 

door is manufactured as a single piece 

according to a lean manufacturing model. 

INSPIRED FOR TUBE Furniture 

“We have been operating in this field since 1984” says Fabio 

Buscato “As a result, We have almost thirty years of experience 

and this has enabled us to make Oikos (the name 

comes from a Greek customer, the meaning of which we learned only afterwards) 

a worldwide leading company thanks to a quality product in 

line with the most advanced and current market demands. As soon as we 

took over the company, we focused on the construction details of our 

products and tried to be more present on the market. We implemented 

a double strategy: a technical action to improve the product; a commercial 

action to extend our presence on the market that at the beginning 

was exclusively Italian (until 1997-98) to open up first to Europe and later 

to eastern Europe.” 

Design + security = security door 

Over the last ten years, or rather since the year 2000 onwards, the security 

door has undergone a design evolution, from a security product to a 

design element. “Previously - explains Buscato – the security door, being 

an apartment entry door, had to “communicate” with the other internal 

doors; today, its image has changed and it has become a design element 

that must “communicate” and match with the furnishing. As a result, 

those who are able to propose aesthetical solutions matching the inte- 

5


rior furnishing market design trends with the 

basic function of a security door are winners. Today 

our company is renowned for this ability on 

the market - especially on the foreign market - 

and it is considered as the enterprise that is most 

tuned in on interior furnishing trends. Presently, 

30% of the production is exported but the 

percentage is growing exponentially. On foreign 

markets we sell the product not so much as security 

product, but more as a furnishing and design 

component. We commercialise our products 

in the United States, Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, 

South America, Spain, Israel, Greece, China and 

Germany. The only market that considers the security 

concept as fundamental, is that of the Eastern 

countries.” 

“In Italy – specifies Buscato – we are organised 

with a network of retailers operating in the field 

of doors and windows while abroad retailers are 

interior designers, as previously stated. They are 

high-level interior designers, all working with 

the same brands. 

Quality certification is an important 

aspect of our production 

cycle. To sell abroad we are 

subject to random controls by 

several certification bodies who 

check that the production 

process strictly and accurately 

corresponds to the company 

declaration. These strict controls, 

however, allow us to obtain a 

quality level certification for our 

products”. 

Laser is synonymous with Lot 1 

Oikos started off with a craft made production 

cycle where no special attention was paid to the 

precision of what was a security door and not a 

mechanical component. However, this operating 

method involved some problems during installation 

that were regularly solved by the blacksmith 

or by the product installer. “The important 

evolution took place when we decided to modify 

the door frame that used to be manufactured 

at the bending press with an open profile and 

wide tolerances (0.4 – 0.5 mm)” continues Buscato. 

“Then, we decided to use a closed profile 

that featured a definitely better accuracy (0.1 

mm); consequently, the machining accuracy and 

the higher rigidity made installations easier and 

improved the overall quality of the end product. 

This change marked the actual passage to 

an industrial production cycle. It was during this 

phase that the laser system was adopted by our 

6 MAY 2011 NUMBER 14

company. Switching to a closed profile with the 

previous manual machining operations would 

guarantee a higher rigidity, but would not assure 

the accuracy that has now enabled us to 

simplify installations considerably. The choice of 

an ADIGE LT722D Lasertube by the BLM Group 

has proved winning, although at the beginning 

the problems related to the cost and startup 

of such a large plant frightened us. However, we 

are reaping the benefits, particularly as regards 

the easier installation on site. Today, even a person 

without experience is able to install a security 

door manufactured by us just by following 

the instructions”. 

The LT722D laser has offered a cost saving advantage 

thanks to time reduction, but the major 

advantage consists in obtaining the so long 

awaited “lot 1” concept. Oikos no longer deals 

with multiple lots, but only with single doors that 

are tailor-made with customised measures, holes 

and machining operations. 

“We no longer need to assemble products in 

lots – explains Buscato – but enter in the production 

program a single door that is manufactured 

as a single piece based on a lean manufacturing 

model. The laser enables us to obtain 

a very short production process. The frame is 

manufactured in 15 minutes; there is no need 

for bending, drilling, cutting at 45° and making 

slots on different machines. The end product is 

manufactured and ready by using one machine 

only. From January to February we have increased 

the business turnover by increasing 

work with less personnel”. 


“Once upon a time up to 15 

identical doors were produced 

at the same time. Today, however, 

this market, that is typical 

of social housing, is no longer 

found. A dimensional standard 

exists, but today it is always 

more convenient to manufacture 

one frame at a time. There 

are no storage and transport 

problems since we make what 

is needed when needed.” 

Produced and shipped 

within 24 hours 

In conclusion, the main advantages introduced 

by the LT722D system are the following: machining 

accuracy and the manufacture of one finished 

piece in only one passage without requiring additional 

processing. The accuracy repeatability 

7

Software 

Artube - Composer 

Composer is a software instrument 

developed by ADIGE within the 

Artube software to facilitate the 

production of items that are similar 

to each other but different in terms 

of position and/or number of 

common processing operations. 


guaranteed by the industrial process allows a considerable 

saving during other process phases. Assembly 

and installation problems on site are virtually 

eliminated and the same frame concept is 

becoming standard for all products. This is because 

the profile being used for the frame has been developed 

to exploit at the best the laser tube system 

that offers a wide range of possibilities. “Since 

January we have been trying to launch the product 

in the production phase in the morning and 

have it loaded onto trucks within 24 hours”, states 

Buscato. We have not yet reached that result, since 

the bottleneck is caused by wood panel working 

in the joinery, but we are solving the problem 

thanks to a rapid paint that allows us to process 

the panel today and install it the next day. Laser 

and paint are two elements that have allowed 

to optimise the production cycle.” 

The Composer parametric module 

of the CAD/CAM ARTUBE 

manufactured by ADIGE plays a 

fundamental role in the automatic 

production of a door without 

requiring the design phase. 

Starting from the information 

contained in the production order 

of the operative program, the 

cutting program of the LT722D 

system is processed. 

The answer meets expectations 

The relationship with BLM has been ongoing 

for a long time: “When we started the project 

– Buscato explains – BLM actively collaborated 

to obtain a good result. It certainly is a rather 

heavy machine to handle. We want to be sure 

before giving any guarantee regarding the 

possibility of reaching a certain result. However, 

we appreciate anyone who has a serious 

behaviour and is able to give a pondered response 

and to maintain it. We were not enticed 

by the low price and we privileged the result 

instead. Price is always an essential feature, but 

first of all the machine to be purchased must 

meet the demands of the customers, which is 

more important than price. Another fundamental 

aspect is the guarantee of a follow-up 

service, the machines being rather complex 

and thus requiring an appropriate technical 

assistance: BLM has deserved full marks from 

this point of view.” 

The security door is environmentfriendly 

“Thinking about the future – Biancolin concludes 

– foreign markets will become increasingly important 

for our product, in which over a period 

of five years the average price of a door has virtually 

doubled. We are increasingly oriented towards 

a high-end market that requires a product 

with an increasing added value as regards 

design. 

In this view, the high flexibility assured by the 

Lasertube is very important with reference to a 

single product. Those who are still tied down to 

high figures today must cope with heavy losses. 

Moreover, it is necessary to be flexible when 

producing, but also to meet the new standards 

and requirements of the building and furniture 

sectors. For example, nowadays, thermal insulation 

is strongly felt with the “clima-haus” standard 

of the province of Bolzano or Trento that is 

developing in accordance with the American 

LEED standard. Therefore, our doors as well must 

be environment-friendly to leave future generations 

with the same resources that we received. 

What does it have to do with doors? The simple 

fact of using coverings with a 15-year guarantee 

does not require any replacement and 

assures a certain thermal insulation. These are 

services offered in addition to security and are 

added values that guarantee the future success 

of the product.” 

Process files 

The single processing operations, 

created by means of CAD Artube, are 

saved in a database suitably divided 

by tube section. Each module can be 

used to create repetitions of a 

specific process in different tube 

positions. 

The use of this instrument is 

particularly advantageous in some 

specific sectors. For example, just 

think of the manufacturing of frames 

for doors and windows in which 

some holes, slots or ordinary 

machinings are always repeated in 

the same manner in all frames, but 

must be positioned in different 

number and positions in relation to 

the type of door or window. 

Graphic interface 

Avoiding the tube or profile 

processing design phase, a graphic 

interface, external to the CAD-CAM 

system, allows all the stored modules 

corresponding to a specific tube 

section to be displayed and to be 

positioned along the tube axis. 

At the end, the result can 

immediately be verified from a 

graphic point of view and therefore 

the machine programme can be 

created directly. 

8 

MAY 2011 NUMBER 14

From the furnishing to the automotive industry, passing through the “white” industry; this is the range of 

activities that the Brazilian company Alpino Industria Metalurgica, of Italian origin, has been involved in. 

The tube bending technology that BLM has developed over the years has confirmed the various stages 

of the company’s growth: from the “Sofia Loren” to the “Beyoncé” with a current output of 1,800 pieces a day 

for FIAT. In fact, since the very beginning, each new machine has been given the name of a famous woman. 

INSPIRED FOR TUBE Automotive 

From “Sofia” to Beyoncé ... 

an exceptional cast 

From its name, Alpino Industria Metalurgica 

Ltda, it is clear to see the Italian origins 

of the Company, which was set up in S. Paulo 

in 1955 by the fathers of the current owners, 

Sergio Alonso, Sales Director and Marco Giampietri, 

Industrial Director and which originally 

manufactured chairs and tables with tubular 

elements. “It is not always easy to get along, but 

this is a fundamental value that has been handed 

down and we want to continue with it” say 

the two gentlemen. 

The relationship has always been based on mutual 

trust; just think that initially, their parents signed 

an agreement according to which the signature 

of only one of the partners would have 

been sufficient to make even the most fundamental 

of decisions such as to sell the business. 

That’s something in the past; nowadays it is no 

longer so as there are other partners, but the spirit 

still remains. “No relatives can enter the company 

unless they have the right qualities and 

our goal is to continue with the business”. 

“Nowadays, our main customers are car manufacturers 

– explains Alonso – but it hasn’t always 

been like this because in the beginning we made 

furnishing components with tubular elements, 

such as tables and chairs. Our customers not 

only get punctuality, quality and price, but also 

added value thanks to the competence and 

technical innovation that is hard to find elsewhere 

in Brazil. We always have a solution for 

the customer, even for the most complex component, 

thanks to technology. We always try to 

keep up and invest heavily, even in difficult times 

like 2008, when the crisis had a really strong 

impact and came suddenly, like everywhere else 

in the world; regardless of this, we still purchased 

an all-electric BLM ELECT 80 tube bending 

system. I remember being at the Milan trade fair 

in October and having heard about the crisis, 

not knowing what people were talking about, 

but when I got back to Brazil, everything had 

come to a grinding halt, although the situation 

was a little particular as there was still demand, 

but the banks were not financing growth as there 

was no money to invest”. 

The milestones of success 

The technological evolution was fundamental 

for the company’s growth and marked each 

milestone, even at the hardest of times like in 

1966 when the company got flooded or after 

the 1998 crisis during which the DYNAM0 tube 

bending systems were purchased to allow work 

to start for Whirlpool, Electrolux and General 

Electric in the gas cooker field. 

“When we installed the BLM machines, we 

managed to develop a whole series of products 

that we were unable to manufacture before 

both as regards bending and end forming” 

says Giampietri. 

“The BLM started many years before, in 1972 

when BLM was the only company to have taken 

the Brazilian market seriously and set up a 

representative office. Other manufacturers did 

not have this vision and BLM pioneered. Since 

9

A great competitive advantage 

Unlike other cases where the choice of the lasertube 

was intended to give production a turning 

point, at Alpino transition to the laser was simply 

to keep up with technology. Today, however, 

pieces that required various steps like drilling, 

pressing and cutting are now carried out in a 

single step and this in itself is a great competitive 

advantage. 

“Pieces with 8-10 different steps now come 

straight out of the laser system” continues Githen, 

we have had almost all the machines in 

the BLM range. The first was a B38, which is still 

operating at the premises of one of our former 

employees, who set up his own business; at the 

time, it was considered an automatic tube bending 

system as it carried out 12 bends in sequence. 

When we bought it, my father called it “Sofia” as 

a homage to Sofia Loren and since then all our 

machines have been given the name of a famous 

lady; from “Madonna”, one of the first CNC 

3-axis tube bending system (B63CNC) sold in 

Brazil to “Cicciolina” (purchased in 1987) - a B63 

B6X+PMB with which we managed to make a 

63 radius bend on a 63 mm tube – something 

that no-one in Brazil was able to do (and which 

today only a few can accomplish)”. 

“In 1972, we were still making furniture - continues 

Giampietri - but at the beginning of the 

80s we started in the automotive field, having 

developed a bending machine in-house for 

large diameter tubes. In fact, at the time it was 

difficult to import machines to Brazil as the import 

taxes could reach anything up to 100%, 

but we managed to start working with top 

brands like Scania and Caterpillar, who are still 

important references”. 

In 1989 the purchase of a B120 

and a ST130 (5 passes), which 

are still existing, confirmed the 

definite turn from furnishing to 

entirely focus production on the 

automotive industry. “Having 

installed a machine like the 

B120 allowed us to take competitive 

advantage on the market. 

We were the first to manufacture 

114 mm tubes with an 

average radius of 125. This machine 

was fundamental to gain 

more experience in the bending 

technology. 

This was then followed by SWING 32, the first 

machine with a LH/RH curving direction that 

was installed in 2000. With BLM we have always 

had a relationship as partners. BLM have never 

left us alone when we have had problems and 

we have always reached useful and valid solutions 

together. Today we have added three DY- 

NAM0 machines, two of which were purchased 

last year and operate in the “white” industry and 

automotive fields. Just to give you an idea: Beyoncé, 

a DYNAM0-E with automatic loader, produces 

approximately 1,800 pieces/day for FIAT. 


INSPIRED FOR TUBE Automotive 

ampietri. “The laser has simplified production 

and has allowed us to do things that could not 

be done before, thereby offering new solutions 

to our customers. For example, we had a piece 

that was welded with a screw and nut, but now 

we do this with lower processing times and without 

any problem. The laser makes it possible to 

approach different customers to the usual ones. 

Many people still have no idea of the potential 

of lasertube technology, which needs to be explained 

to customers. Many don’t believe that 

a laser cut piece can cost less than the same piece 

processed with a drill and press, that the hourly 

cost is much less and it’s difficult to convince 

them, but it’s like that”. 

Target “euro5” 

Alpino Industria Metalurgica Ltda has a head 

count of 240 employees in addition to the 30 

operators in the building of a joint venture 

with a Belgian company operating in the automotive 

field, where large tubes of up to 120 

mm in diameter are processed on a BLM 

Dunam8 tube bending system. 

"Of course you can always improve, but obviously 

our opinion on the BLM Group and its 

technology is positive, otherwise we would 

not have bought their machines for the past 

40 years, "says Mr. Alonso. "BLM has always given 

us great technical support and above all 

they have never left us on our own. People 

change, but not companies, and most of all the 

existing close relationship remains.” 

For the future we are trying to start a second 

joint venture to develop and manufacture exhaust 

systems for trucks. In Brazil, the Euro 5 

will begin as of 2012 and we are preparing for 

then, so that we can offer our customers the 

entire product, not just the pipes. We are building 

a new 3,000 square metre facility, which 

will be operational by the end of the year. If we 

want to grow we need to look for new markets. 

In the coming years, a 7-10% per annum 

growth is expected in Brazil, whereas we expect 

to grow by 20%." 

The script is written, the cast is exceptional, and 

the happy ending ... is a must. 

11

INSPIRED FOR TUBE Agricultural machinery 

Väderstad is among the leading names 

renowned in Sweden for the production 

of tillers and agricultural machinery 

for ploughing and sowing through a fully 

automated cycle that starts from the raw 

material store and ends with the laser cutting 

of semi-finished tubes and robotized welding 

of the machinery produced. At Väderstad, 

extreme automation is the main tool that 

binds efficiency and flexibility in the 

production cycle. 

More 

flexibility 

with 

automation 

To describe the Swedish company Väderstad, specialized in the 

production of tillers and agricultural machinery for ploughing 

and sowing, we should start from the company’s background. 

In fact, this family business was founded by the father of 

the current owners, who have experienced the life and growth of 

the company first hand, with Andreas Stark, Production Director together 

with his brothers Crister, Bo and sister Christina, respectively, 

Head of the Board, Manager of the Scandinavian market and Managing 

Director, who run the company founded by their father, Rune 

Stark. 

What an idea! 

While listening to Andreas Stark telling us about the story of the 

company, you cannot but be impressed by the strong contrast between 

today’s avant-garde organization, which can boast an automation 

level in its production that is difficult to find elsewhere, 

and what it was in the beginning, characterized by such a simple, 

but effective idea. In fact, Rune Stark, started by manufacturing a 



13


rigid tine harrow to be used in a small farm 

at a short distance from where the company 

is today. The result was so effective that neighbours 

asked to have others made for them and 

this was the beginning of the business. The 

family-run business was therefore set up by 

Rune together with his wife Siw and it is now 

run by their four children. 

“My parents started in our farm – says Andreas 

– but soon, due to the size of the first pieces of 

machinery, the poor power connections and 

the roads that were too narrow for heavy traffic, 

it was necessary to move to larger premises, 

which took place in 1967 when the company 

rented a barn in another farm and in 1972 

we started building where we are now”. 

The story of Väderstad is characterised by continuous 

growth and started from the idea of 

a farmer who was particularly able and business-minded. 

“In the two-year period from 1989 to 1990, 

agriculture suffered a strong depression, but 

that was the time for us to expand into other 

areas of interest starting with the manufacture 

of seeders, which today account for 60-65% of 

our turnover”. 

From the warehouse to laser tube 

Fully automatically 

Even from the production organizational point 

of view there have been many changes, which 

from the initial artisan phases have gradually 

brought Väderstad to the extreme level of automation 

that it has today. The company is 

structured in relation to the production flow 

of the materials, starting from a building where 

the raw material is stored. When a truck arrives, 

the raw material is unloaded and positioned 

(semi-automatically) on shelves. 

At this point, the warehouse is closed and manning 

is not required. When a job order needs 

a certain type of material, a request is received 

on the warehouse computer to retrieve a bundle 

of tubes; the material is automatically selected 

and picked-up by the automatic bridge 

cranes, which place it on trolleys travelling underground 

that exit the warehouse and transfer 

the bundle to the building where the laser 

machines are located; the bundle is then unloaded 

in a tidy manner near the machines. 

The ADIGE LT8 laser cutting systems cut the 

tubes according to the job requirements and 

unload them tidily. 

An big robot collects the pieces and places 

them in appropriate trolleys that are stored in 

another transit warehouse depending on the 

job order requirements. Each trolley contains 

pieces that are required to weld a particular 

frame. The boxes that are stored in the transit 

warehouse are then collected and transferred 

to the welding robots where each frame 

is physically assembled. 

Goal achieved 

“We have a very high number 

of different products and an 

even higher number of articles 

and components in production” 

continues Andreas Stark. “When 

we have to weld a frame, we 

have the items available to 

make it, but the next one, more 

often than not, is different; therefore 

we need to have other articles 

available. 


For this reason, in the past, we had a considerable 

amount of material spread out around 

the welding stations, but now it is completely 

different. 

The first step was to use a single warehouse 

with a forklift operator who retrieved the various 

articles and delivered them to the welding 

stations. In this way, however, we had an 

enormous warehouse of cut and machined 

tubes and when there were errors in the machinings, 

we had to step in and at times throw 

away the pieces. It was a slow way of working 

and, moreover, when you machine a tube that 

has been cut on different machines, you cannot 

expect precision. We wanted greater precision 

to use welding robots and then we 

wanted to develop our machinery in a completely 

different way and this was the main 

reason why we went for laser cutting, which 

allowed us to process any shape and size. So 

we started to search for a solution to our requirements 

and what can be seen now is the 

end result. 

A traditional production works in batches, 

whereas our objective was to produce a single 

example of a machine in the most efficient 

way possible. We started an extremely flexible 

manufacturing cycle aimed at producing 

a single machine at a time. The goal is now to 

produce what is necessary for the next shift or 

the next day. Today is Thursday and we have 

entered in the production system the output 

for next Thursday. The raw material is in the 

warehouse, whereas other articles may not be 

in our facilities yet and must be delivered by 

our suppliers, but in the meantime the laser 

data of what has to be cut is transferred to the 

system and the parts that need to be welded 

tomorrow will be in the warehouse tonight. 

“ 

Before purchasing the laser system, 

most of the tube machining 

was done in-house, but a 

part was purchased from companies 

who used laser systems. 

Now everything is working and 

we can proudly say that we 

have achieved the goals that we 

had set”. 

Our strong points are quality and solutions” 

concludes Andreas. In Sweden, we have an 

80% market share, but in the rest of Europe 

there is a lot of competition. Some of our competitors 

have laser systems, but no one uses 

our production concepts. Among other things, 

it was not easy to find a laser system that was 

suitable to meet our specific needs; some were 

too small and others too big. 

In the end, we found ADIGE who understood 

what we were looking for and provided us with 

what we needed to the extent that if there 

weren’t a recession in progress, we would have 

had our third LT8. 

This is because our view of the future is positive 

in relation to the increase in the price of 

grain. As to production innovations, we are already 

thinking about developing products 

that were impossible to think of producing, 

whereas at an organizational level, we realize 

that we can still improve. 

In fact, in the welding area, no material should 

be waiting to be processed, that’s why in the 

future, the cut tubes must arrive directly from 

the laser machines”. 


15

The BLM Group has always focused on proposing something 

OFFICE 

much more important and strategic than a single machine or 

product, assuring its customers a really efficient production 

process in which the reliability of its solutions is combined with 

a wide range of dedicated and specific software instruments to 

INSPIRED FOR TUBE BLM Group 

bring out the best of it. This is the value guaranteed by the BLM 

Group; this is the value that makes BLM stand out and 

renowned on an international scale. 

Process efficiency 

depends on 

the software 

Part Prog 

Efficiency: it is one of the most important 

characteristics of any industrial production 

process. Product quality is a characteristic 

taken for granted and reliability a 

simple starting point to launch a new commercial 

product both in terms of supply and 

procurement. Time loss, material waste, scrap 

and any other “symptom” of inefficiency within 

the production process are no longer costs 

that can burden market prices. Therefore, the 

“challenge” also regards the organisation of 

production logics and strategies related to the 

single processing phases to eliminate or at 

least reduce whatever is not an added value 

to the finished product. 

The BLM Group works with the same logic, but 

above all proposes and extends it to its customers. 

All the efforts made to manufacture innovative, 

quality, flexible and reliable machines 

would be vain without tools (i.e. software instruments) 

able to exploit them to the maximum 

and above all to include each processing phase 

in a global and efficient logic context. 

Over the years, the BLM Group has developed 

in-house software environments useful not 

only to simplify machine programming, but 

also for production planning, preliminary 

checking of single programmes, process simulation 

and estimation of time and production 

costs. All the above to guarantee, once 

again for quality control and most of all process 

efficiency. 

From machine programming… 

To complete its laser cutting systems, ADIGE 

has developed an in-house CAD/CAM environment 

called Artube that covers all the advantages 

already offered by the laser tube during 

the workpiece design phase and exploits 

them at the best. The result is, once again, not 

“only” workpiece quality but also the guarantee 

of carrying out the entire production 

within times and with modes that are the most 

advantageous for the customer. Among the 

various specific functions offered by ADIGE 

laser machines we can mention: minimum bar 

swarfs, optimisation of discharging position in 

relation to the workpiece length and type, 

management of automatic cutting technology, 

possibility of adapting the process to the 

quality of the raw material if deformed or covered 

with rust (for example). 

… to hourly cost estimation 

once the machine programme has been created, 

it is necessary to estimate the workpiece 

Part Prog 

Lasertube 1 

Pa 

16 

MAY 2011 NUMBER 14 

WORKSHOP

MODELS 

2D - 3D 

Artube 

Part Prog 

time and cost. To this end, the BLM Group has 

designed an additional software system called 

Part Viewer, allowing a sophisticated graphic 

simulation to be displayed– again in 3D – of 

the workpiece being programmed. Thanks to 

Part Viewer it is possible to preliminarily check 

the cutting conditions, the settings of each 

workpiece and, above all, to make an accurate 

estimation of the cycle time and of the actual 

hourly production that can be obtained with 

the machine under those conditions. 

INSPIRED FOR TUBE BLM Group 

rt Viewer 

Info 

Job 1 

Part Prog 

ProTube Express 

Job n 

Part Prog 

Info 

Multi-piece lots are not a problem 

A new instrument has recently been implemented 

allowing to meet the demands of the 

manufacturers who produce multi-piece lots 

on their own laser tube and of those who wish 

to coordinate production with various other 

systems they have. 

The new instrument for production planning 

and automatic programming of multi-piece 

lots is called Protube Express Thanks to Protube 

Express it is possible to manage the production 

of several workpieces in one environment 

only, to optimise manufacturing by 

setting priorities and destination (in the case 

of several machines). 

The most advanced compacting integrated 

algorithms (nesting 3D) allow to automatically 

preset the mode to minimise time and material 

as much as possible, to obtain a preliminary 

indication of the number of bars required 

for each section, to evaluate the choice of various 

bar lengths and to choose the most convenient 

one during the material procurement 

phase. 

Lasertube 1 

Lasertube n 

Once the sequence of workpieces to be manufactured 

has been set on each machine, it is 

possible to obtain again the estimation of the 

total time required for the production of the 

lot, considering loading times, bar changing 

and discharging times, as well as all the supplementary 

times related to secondary functions 

that have been preset. 

17


The chair is produced by 

Virco is the largest manufacturer of school furniture for “grades K through 12” which are 5 years 

old through 18 years old in the United States. Product development has always been the key 

factor for the growth of a company that believes in automation as a tool for improving the 

process and not for replacing human resources, which are fundamental to achieve the utmost 

from each machine. In fact, the union between a skilled operator and a BLM robotized bending 

unit has revolutionized the production cycle of chairs. 

While throughout most of the United 

States a big snowstorm is creating difficulty,we 

are in Torrance, near Los Angeles 

on a splendid sunny day with a pleasant 

temperature. 

However, our interest is not in sunny California 

or the “Studios”, but in a decisively important industrial 

context; as Jerry Farrell Corporate Director 

of Technical Operations explains, Virco is 

the largest manufacturer of school furniture for 

”grades K through 12”in the United States. 

A leading “family-run business” 

The company was founded by Julian Virtue in 

1950. The first customer was the Los Angeles 

Unified School District. The company then expanded 

and acquired a table producer in Conway, 

Arkansas, followed by the production of 

chairs and other furnishing articles that are 

manufactured in Torrance and Conway. 

Virco has multiple facilities, including its newest 

lovation in Conway, Arkansas, covering an area 

of 120,000 sq.m, 40,000 sq.m of which are the 

manufacturing facilities and 80,000 sq.m of 

which are the warehouse and assembly shop. 

Then another two facilities in Conway Cover 

an area of approximately 25,000 sq.m where 

compression-molded plastic products are 

manufactured in one and pre-assembly is performed 

in the other. Last, but not least is the 

facility in Torrance that covers 45,000 sq.m and 

in which more or less the same things as in the 

Conway facilities are manufactured, excepting 

a few differences regarding some of the pro- 


“When we purchase new machines, we do it 

with the aim of improving the process. I can 

give you an example of a chair that we make 

in three different sizes”. 

“Before purchasing the BLM bending unit, five 

different bending processes were necessary. 

It was probably the most complex article that 

we had ever bent. Now with the BLM tube 

bending unit, we can do it in one single 

process”. 

“When selecting a machine, the decision is well 

weighed out and assessed. What follows is a 

very close relationship, almost like a partnership 

with the machine supplier leading to longlasting 

cooperation, which is what has hapa 

man-machine union 

duction processes. 

As mentioned in the beginning, with 190 million 

dollars worth of orders, Virco is the leading 

manufacturer of school furniture for “under 

18s” in the United States. The company is 

still family-run. Bob Virtue, son of Julian Virtue, 

is the current President, CEO and Chairman of 

the Board. Bob’s son, Doug Virtue is Vice-President. 

Both believe in the fundamental values 

that have no doubt been handed down from 

father to son: voice, dignity, equity, leadership 

and merit. 

Not by chance, Virco has led the school furnishing 

industry in the certification field for 

emissions as regards quality of indoor air, being 

the first company to obtain the Greenguard® 

for Children and Schools indoor air 

quality certification for classroomfurniture. 

From five to a single process 

Customers who contact Virco turn to them for 

quality and, needless to say, for price. As to 

quality, what is intended is also the ability to 

offer a vast range of products. “We offer many 

different solutions such as colours and styles 

to meet the market demands”, explains Jerry 

Farrell, who guides us on the visit through the 

company. 

“Our market has changed considerably over 

the years and we are not the type of company 

who imports the whole product from China, 

although we are aware that some of our 

competitors do. To resort to increasingly lower 

costs is not our job, but, on the other hand 

we always try to find the best compromise and 

this is why we have chosen a BLM tube bending 

machine that meets our requirements in 

terms of flexibility and quality”. 

“One thing that I strongly encouraged in our facility 

right from the beginning was automation 

with the use of robots in the assembly process 

and generally throughout the facility”. 

“I took this road 17 years ago by installing the 

first welding robots and today we have more 

than thirty operating robotized stations. The 

BLM machine was delivered in 2008 and, it revolutionized 

our production process”. 

“Generally, we take the most 

difficult components and put 

them on that machine because 

we know that with only 

a few attempts we will be able 

to achieve a repeatable result”. 

19


pened with the BLM Group” . 

“When Virco purchases a new machine, the selection 

is not made on the basis of the cheapest 

price alone, but it is made according to the 

possibility of it being inserted in the production 

process that we intend to implement. Important 

features, such as programming ease 

and after-sales service/technical assistance are 

evaluated. 

Automation without doubt, but 

managed by man 

As regards competition with the markets like 

China and others that are growing such as 

Thailand and Vietnam, Virco strategically focuses 

on three main issues: good service, good 

quality and the ability to meet the customer’s 

every need with new products. 

“When a customer requires new articles, we 

are able to respond very quickly,” emphasises 

Farrell. “At the end of June, a school requested 

a completely new product for delivery by the 

beginning of August. We designed, manufactured 

and supplied it in less than two months. 

To achieve these goals, it is fundamental to 

have the right people. If not, then there is very 

little you can do. Therefore, automation at Virco 

is not to be understood as a way of replacing 

human resources, but of improving the 

process and to do so competent people are 

needed”. 

This is the reason why we put 

our most difficult pieces on the 

BLM tube bending unit, as we 

have skilled people who know 

how to operate the machine 

and are able to manage the 

product”. 

Production is carried out mainly at the Virco 

facilities seeing as there are various divisions, 

however, there are still some small jobs that 

are outsourced. “Some parts of our products 

are laser-cut” – continues Farrell – but before 

thinking of installing such a system, I have to 

have the right people. Today, the problem of 

outsourcing lies in programming; if you want 

to run a just-in-time production to meet the 

customer’s demand precisely when required, 

outsourcing creates a problem. Of course, there 

are also advantages, but with the increasing 

flexibility of the machines, we should aim at 

doing more in-house and outsourcing less. In 

the future, we should, therefore, invest in the 

process”. 

Virco considers the assistance that it offers 

its customers of utmost importance, starting 

from the support offered to school managers 

for purchasing furniture on a large scale, thereby 

saving time and money, and continuing 

with scheduling collection to recycle the old 

furniture. Our program “Cash for Cardboard” 

has allowed the school community in the Conway 

area to recover more than 100,000 dollars 

through recycling. We at Virco are proud to be 

renowned for our continuous commitment 

towards quality, which includes employment 

and the environment”, concludes Farrell. 


Laser tube has a fundamental role at MDL. 

The company is an OEM and as such spans 

the most different of fields although, in recent 

years the manufacture of structures for solar 

panel systems and couches for shops and 

centres has been taking on a leading role. 

In particular, the decision to install an ADIGE LT 

722 system has allowed the company to 

go unscathed through the difficult economic 

situation of the last two years. 

The good thing about 

INSPIRED FOR TUBE Job Shop 

the lucky choice 

MDL (acronym of Marcello Diego Lavorazioni) 

of Capriano del Colle located 

in the province of Brescia is a 

company that has been specialised in commercialising 

steel products since 1989, with 

special regard to contract tube processing. In 

recent years this sector has increasingly 

evolved from the simple cutting-to-length 

to the supply of quality semi-finished products 

including the manufacture of assembled 

structures, thanks to the cooperation of a specialised 

partner. As a result, MDL proposes itself 

as a supplier of actual finished products 

that it manufactures with the knowledge of 

who has analysed the multiple potentials and 

opportunities offered by tube processing in 

terms of project and structure optimisation. A 

tubular structure assures many advantages 

compared to a structure designed by mixing 

tube and bent steel sheet, both in terms of coupling 

and sturdiness, not to mention production 

time and associated costs. 

“MDL is certainly the answer to the requirements 

of all those companies that require com- 

21


plex services in the filed of steel product 

processing, with special reference 

to tube transformation” explains Marcello 

Zanini, who runs the company together 

with his brother Diego. “We supply 

semi-finished tubes to any sector 

and our activities also include welding 

or bending of tubes as well as the manufacture 

of drawn tubes, round, square 

or rectangular welded tubes with burrs 

on the two sides. The services offered also 

feature internal and external washing, customised 

drilling and processing of round, 

oval or square tubes or simply the cuttingto-length 

of tubes and bars”. 

90% production within 150 mm diameter 

The equipment installed at MDL facilities includes 

six ADIGE automatic sawing machines, 

but above all it is the laser tube cutting technology 

that characterises the activity. The first 

laser tube installed over more than three years 

was associated with the innovative LT 722 ADI- 

GE system in 2008. 

“Both in terms of plant type and ease of programming 

I can state that ADIGE represents 

the state of the art from a technological point 

of view” says Marcello Zanini. “In our first experience 

with laser tube we privileged the cut 

potential in terms of maximum processable 

dimensions up to a diameter of 250 mm. On 

the other hand, with ADIGE’s LT 722 we process 

up to a maximum of 150 mm; a range which 

covers approximately 90% of our production. 

“In hindsight”, the initial choice of large diameters 

has been more restrictive than proactive. 

It is true that where large workpieces are cut, 

the small ones can be processed as well, but 

from the point of view of system performances, 

by nature they are not comparable. Certainly, 

today, with two systems available and a third 

one coming up, equipped with fibre laser to 

cut highly reflecting materials, we are in a position 

to cover a very large portion of market 

demands”. 

“Perhaps we have made the right choice to invert 

investments considering that the majority 

of the work regards the medium-small tube; 

but that’s ok. The in-field experience has allowed 

us to focus on what we really needed 

and to correct the course” explains again Zanini. 

“In fact, by purchasing the ADIGE system we 

have privileged other aspects that we knew 

were of fundamental importance, such as the 

programming ease which, in the majority of 

cases, means the possibility of carrying out 

complex cuts as well. The standard database 

of the LT 722 cutting parameters is extremely 

complete and articulated to the point that 

in the vast majority of cases we can immediately 

carry out an optimum cut”. 

A “tutor” by your side 

Due to its nature, MDL addresses various sectors: 

automobile, water-sanitary, heating, furniture, 

components and drapes. The company 

is a job shop and as such it spans the most 

different of fields although, in recent years the 

manufacture of structures for solar panel systems 

and couches for beauty shops and centres 

has been taking on a leading role. 

“Following the crisis of the last two years, we 


have been obliged to considerably extend our 

operating range to cover new sectors in order 

to recover that 20% business turnover that we 

had lost” explains Zanini. “It has not been easy, 

but we have been able to count on a sound 

partner: the ADIGE LT 722 laser cutting system 

that is one of a kind in terms of performance 

and timing. Among other things, the almost 

total reliability. 

I bought the equipment in July 

2008 and it was installed in September; 

since then it has not 

stopped, not even once.” 

The LT 722 combines productivity with the utmost 

cutting accuracy on any type of tube section, 

which is of fundamental importance for 

coupling, considering the structures being 

manufactured. 

“I think that we have been lucky to purchase 

this laser tube system before the crisis” continues 

Zanini. “It has allowed us to make up for 

desertions that have occurred in the most traditional 

sectors, and to acquire new customers 

and new application fields. 

Above all, however, it has allowed us to recover 

important trade names that we had lost due 

to rather long response times and to the excessive 

hourly cost with only one laser tube 

available, that, moreover, is more performing 

on larger diameters. 

Due to the inherent characteristics of the LT 

722 and to the availability of two laser cutting 

systems, today we have acquired such a flexibility 

as to reach a production close to the justin-time, 

with a lower hourly cost than before. 

We wanted to become flexible also in the laser 

cutting field as we have always been in the 

blade cutting field thanks to the six ADIGE automatic 

sawing machines. 

I talked about luck because although it may 

seem a farsighted decision taken at the right 

moment, I am sincere in telling you that it is 

not the case. We needed and we decided to 

take this step, but when it was planned I never 

imagined what would have happened in 

such a short time. I considered it a strategic investment 

that was important for MDL, but never 

thought of it as the company safety net. 

However, this was the right choice because if 

I had realised about the crisis that was about 

to hit the economy, I would have certainly waited 

and perhaps we would have ended up like 

several other companies.” 

“Flexibility is mainly generated by the ARTUBE 

programming software that is extremely userfriendly 

and direct, but also by the operating 

software of the LT722 system allowing rather 

fast production changes and therefore machine 

downtimes that are considerably reduced” 

Zanini adds. 

“It is like working beside a tutor, 

since if cutting passages are set 

with the risk of colliding or require 

conflicting motions, the 

machine does not carry out the 

functions and signals the error”. 

The laser semi-finished product 

is a finished product 

Of the quantity of material processed by MDL 

over a period of a year, 60% is distributed among 

the sawing machines and the remaining 40% 

among the two laser tubes; these percentages 

witness the importance and strategic role of investing 

in a technology that is as productive and 

flexible as laser cutting. This fact is further confirmed 

by economic evaluations considering 

that the business turnover produced by the laser 

is by now predominant compared to that generated 

by the sawing machines. Costs are soon 

worked out considering an hourly price of 30 

Euros for blade cutting as compared to 80 Euros 

per hour of laser cutting. 

“There is also the advantage that with the laser, 

the semifinished product is a finished product 

ready for assembly while the sawing machine 

allows just the cut-to-length involving the need 

for deburring and recovering the workpieces” 

Zanini concludes. 

“Furthermore, I admit that from time to time I 

have some simple and particularly urgent cutto-length 

operations carried out by the laser 

machine because the LT722 produces twice 

as much compared to a sawing machine as 

there is no blade changing and therefore no 

down times. Not to mention the cut quality 

that has no deburring and accuracy problems. 

Not by chance, we are replacing two sawing 

machines with a new LT FIBER laser tube system 

with fibre source that we believe will allow 

us to open up new and important horizons 

in the field of copper and brass tube 

cutting.” 


23

INSPIRED FOR TUBE OEM 

The company takes its name from its founder Rubino Andreazza. Or rather, it takes part of the 

name and part of the surname since Rubizza is a perfect mixture of the two. However, Rubizza is 

also a perfect combination of the typical characteristics of the entrepreneur: passion for work, 

farsightedness, ability to make important decisions and the courage to take action also at less 

appropriate moments, even forcing the situation for a fundamental investment. 

The small lots strategy 

In 2003 the first laser tube installed at the 

company facility was the ADIGE LT702, 

which also holds the record of being the 

first BLM system sold in the region. The purchase 

of this machine was difficult considering 

that the investment was very binding for 

Rubizza at the time. Until then, the machines 

they had were simple tube bending machines 

and investment in the laser technology was a 

big commitment. However, Rubino Andreazza 

had understood the situation and with the 

support of the BLM Group made the big step 

proving to be a winner. 

The partner supplier 

To hear the company history told by Mr. Rubino 

Andreazza is exciting. Together with his wife 

Vainer Pagliarin Andreazza founded Rubizza 

in 1992 and made of it a company that today 

employs 35 people and is becoming increasingly 

important in Brazil. 

“We started in a 100 sqm room where we 

moulded accessories for furniture. In 1996 our 

products were no longer commercialised on 

the market. Therefore, we started to bend tubes 

with a first “CNC” machine that was very simple. 

Thanks to this machine however, we gained 

the know-how and experience in the tube sector 

that proved fundamental to make us 100% 

job shop and penetrate other markets. We are 

looking at 1998 and from then on our company 

history, with the purchase of a first NC863 

tube bending machine that allowed us to work 

for the agricultural machinery and automotive 

sectors, starts cooperating with the BLM 

Group. We put our bets on them and focused 

everything on product quality. A partnership 

relation was built up with the BLM agent, who 

help us to start-up and find work to operate 

the equipment. 

Therefore, the cooperation has been an important 

factor; in fact today we have eight BLM 

machines, among which the laser machines in 

particular that have completely changed the 

operating mode and the production cycle. BLM 

is a partner for Rubizza. “When we were in 

need, we always received assistance and support”, 

Mr. Rubino states. 

High quality focus 

When the building facility was changed in 

1999, Rubizza made another basic step in its 

growing and expansion process that in 2001 

was confirmed with the purchase of a BLM 

SWING tube bending machine with R/L bending 

direction allowing to process also small 

and complex workpieces. However, this meant 

the passage from a simple bending to an automatic 

bending, that involved an important 

technological change. 

The most courageous and strategically fundamental 

step was made with the LT702 laser in 

2003. “The laser was a challenge – says Andreazza 

– and after many years I can say I won. With the 

LT702, work has increased adding more important 

and demanding customers. 

24 

MAY 2011 NUMBER 14

The laser tube has allowed us 

to simplify work in as much as 

presses and dies are no longer 

required, not to mention the 

ease of manufacturing that facilitates 

a just-in-time production 

management. Finally, we 

are able to manufacture complete 

pieces with special joints 

that we could not produce before.” 

The company growth is confirmed by the regular 

frequency with which machinery is purchased. 

After the first laser, a second SWING 

tube bending machine was purchased. Then, 

from 2007 to 2009, another two new-generation 

tube bending machines were purchased. 

First a DYNAM0 ELE was purchased, 

and then an ELECT-L for tubes up to 80 mm 

in diameter, both all-electric machines. To end 

the cycle, in 2009, the second laser system 

was purchased: an LT8 Laser tube with 3D 

head designed to cut up to 220 mm diameter 

tubes. This equipment has made it possible 

for us to have job orders in the field of 

agricultural equipment and trucks. 

Unlike what usually happens, the Rubizza 

laser history started off from the tube and 

only later did it cover steel sheet. In fact, two 

years ago, they also entered the flat laser sector 

to expand their range of action and diversify 

market outlets, considering the large 

steel sheet demand. Today customers look 

for quality, precision and respect of delivery 

times. It is not by chance that Rubizza is a reference 

point also for the S. Paulo area. Today, 

they have no competitors but partnerships 

with other companies of the area since they 

focus on top quality. 

Rubizza does not refuse mass production, but 

prefers small lots to further confirm the entrepreneurial 

farsightedness of Mr. Rubino. 

This is, in fact, a strong point in a world where 

many refuse small quantities in favour of large 

ones. “Now there is no specific sector, we work 

a little for all sectors with small lots thanks to 

which the company has been able to grow. 

Obviously this requires high flexibility” concludes 

Rubino Andreazza. 

INSPIRED FOR TUBE OEM 

25

INSPIRED FOR TUBE Elevated platforms 

Elevated work platforms and 

walkways. This is the product 

whose leading worldwide 

producer is Premekon, a Finnish 

company that combines its 

engineering technique gained 

and refined on the field with its 

advanced technology and 

production means. The 

introduction of the laser tube 

and of a modern tube bending 

technology has significantly 

contributed to improve 

engineering solutions. 

From laser to new en 

The Finnish company Premekon is specialised 

in the manufacture and marketing 

of elevated work platforms and walkways 

supplied as a finished product complete 

with stairs and storage space. Characterised by 

top quality and absolute reliability, these products 

are the result of advanced production methods 

during implementation and of an engineering 

skill that is one of a kind. The company 

was established in 1984 as an engineering office 

specialised in the production of welded 

structures and only in 1991 did production start. 

This was of great advantage since it allowed to 

experience first hand and analyse the engineering 

and production problems of various 

sectors. Competence and know-how are the basis 

of success. 

“We have never been just a simple workshop 

- says Martti Immonen, Managing Director of 

Premekon - but something more, thanks to the 

engineering part. 

Today 12 out of 45 people are 

specialised engineers to confirm 

the importance that we 

give to the development and 

engineering phase of our products.” 

Substantial project differences 

The fact that the use of laser tube is a strategic 

turning point for the activity of any company no 

longer makes the headlines. However, in the case 

of Premekon it is worth pointing out once again 

as laser has brought important advantages in 

terms of productivity (before the laser, traditional 

tube processing methods were in use), but above 

all of new product engineering opportunities. 

“When purchasing a laser system we basically 

expected two types of advantages” explains 

Mikko Polkki, Production Manager of the company. 

“On one hand, being able to concentrate 

tube processing operations on a single machine 

and on the other, obtaining a higher efficiency 

during the welding and assembly 

phases downstream. We not only thought 

about the cutting phase when improving accuracy 

and efficiency (approx. 25/30% increase 

in production), but also and above all about 

the processing phases that follow. 

Laser introduction, with an LT Combo system 

to cut tubes and steel sheets has also allowed 

to differentiate production. Previously, 90-95% 

of the production consisted of walkways, stairs 

and storage areas; now this figure is reduced 

to 80%. The remaining 20% is accounted for 

by contract work for various tube users. Generally, 

we work with reduced workpiece lots 

and our main characteristics, more today than 

yesterday, is flexibility.” 

“As compared to the past, introduction of the 

laser system also involved the modification of 

26 

MAY 2011 NUMBER 14


gineering solutions 

single components; the workpieces look the 

same but to the contrary they have some substantial 

engineering differences exploiting the 

possibilities offered by modern laser technology 

in terms of new and better combinations of 

structural elements” says Veikko Olkkonen, Research 

& Development of Premekon. “The LT 

Combo system has allowed us to widen our view 

regarding the processing possibilities; among 

other things thanks to BLM's CAD/CAM ArTube 

it is very easy to create programmes and the results 

are immediately visible on the machine. 

Customers noticed and appreciated the modifications 

carried out following the adoption of 

the laser system that has led to more precise and 

accurate products”. 

Handrails in one process only 

The laser machine was installed in December 

and after only a few months, in April to be precise, 

a BLM ELECT-L tube bending machine was 

installed. “I have known the BLM Group since 

University and I knew that no other company 

that had such experience in tube processing” 

explains again Martti Immonen, Managing Director 

of the company. “Automation, by increasing 

the production process efficiency, allows 

to reduce prices making them still 

competitive. 

In the future, automation and high-tech will be 

increasingly important to improve efficiency of 

the production process and to control production 

costs in relation to market demands. That’s 

why the choice of making another important 

investment was made after only a few months. 

The tube-bending machine has allowed to modernise 

our production process thanks to an advanced 

technology allowing to manufacture 

stair handrails in one step only adding just the 

angles with one weld. The most outstanding features 

of this machine is the operating speed and 

the capacity of manufacturing quality radii, again 

with a positive influence on the possibility of 

studying and designing structures with details 

and components that were unthinkable in the 

past without the laser and tube bending machine. 

For example, we manufacture many 

handrails in aluminium that we cannot cut with 

laser (we could, but it is not recommended) and 

we make many handrails for the building and 

construction sector”. 

Automate to compete 

“Low cost competition among countries exists, 

but with products that anyone can manufacture” 

concludes Martti Immonen. “The difference 

lies in what not everybody is able to manufacture. 

Quality and engineering are therefore our 

strong points. 

In the future, automation and high-tech will be 

increasingly important to improve efficiency of 

the production process and to control production 

costs in relation to market demands”. 

27


Landoll is specialised in the construction of agricultural machinery, and 

over the years has added the production of trailers, forklifts and 

equipment for military purposes. Product diversification, direct control 

of the whole production cycle and above all a deep knowledge of the 

customer’s problems are factors that, together with the use of a more 

advanced lasertube technology, make Landoll a leading company 

in each of its fields of activity. 

The advantage 

of being 

born on a farm 

Agricultural machinery, trailers, forklifts 

and military equipment. These are the 

production sectors in which Landoll is 

divided; a company created in 1963 by Don 

Landoll, Owner and President of the company 

who tells his story: 

“I was born and grew up on a farm, and ever 

since I was a child I liked welding and building 

objects and metal structures. I started off repairing 

agricultural equipment and machinery. 

Then, after school, I worked for three years 

in a company specialised in the manufacture 

of equipment for parks and farms. That was 

my first industrial experience. In 1963 I set up 

my own welding facility for contract work. I 

employed one person only and so it took some 

time before starting to launch a range of products 

of my own. The business I built now consists 

of 670 employees distributed in several 

production facilities.” 

Leader in all sectors 

“Our strong point is product diversification – 

continues Landoll – and the capacity of implementing 

it in-house. We buy the raw material 

and manufacture finished products with 

a low degree of outsourcing. In fact, we have 

a well-equipped facility to produce whatever 

is required. It is a very important aspect, especially 

today where absolute control of the 

production process is required, expecially in 

the field of agricultural machinery.” Landoll explains 

how just-in–time-production requires 

a production capacity that is independent of 

any supplier. We are of the berlief that no-one 

can make our parts better than ourselves. By 

outsourcing work we risk the chance of creating 

potential competitors” concludes Landoll. 

His products are known for their high quality 

and are positioned in a definitely high market 

segment. “Product know-how is another strong 

point of our company” explains Don Landoll. 

“We maintain our own farms and know very 

well what jobs must be carried out by our machines, 

which helps us to develop products 

28 

MAY 2011 NUMBER 14


that meet the demands and expectations of 

our customers. Also from a sales point of view, 

our sales people must have a thorough knowledge 

of our products in order to communicate 

the added value that we are offering to potential 

customers.” 

An 18 m long bet 

In such a complex reality – including eight Landoll 

production facilities – the use of advanced 

technologies is of fundamental importance 

and the lasertube is an integral part of this 

mechanism. 

A Jumbo and an LT8 are the ADIGE systems installed 

and used to cut all the tubular components 

of the company’s various products. 

“I came across the BLM Group at Fabtech in 

Chicago – says Landoll, and I was looking for 

the best way to further improve the manufacture 

of our products. Since we live in a small 

community, we must all do our best to increase 

production with the minimum amount of 

manual work. First of all, labour is expensive 

and not easy to find. 

As a result, we decided to buy the LT JUMBO. 

We needed a machine that could do everything. 

A smaller machine could have been 

faster, but would not have met all our requirements. 

Initially, we bought a 14” system; 

then we were offered a 20” system that was 

29


immediately available and we purchased it 

with a view to buying a smaller machine later, 

as soon as we were able to fill it up. 

With the quality level of our products, we are 

constantly seeking efficient manufacturing 

methods. From this point of view, we certainly 

took a bet with the LT JUMBO, mainly as far as 

the maximum length of the machinable tubes 

(47 feet) which is as important as the maximum 

diameter. 

Our objective was to obtain the 

maximum length possible and 

to machine tubes up to 18 m 

length so as to produce with a 

higher efficiency without worrying 

about cut-offs. 

At Landoll we had already gained a certain experience 

in tube cutting. The experience was 

achieved on a steel sheet cutting machine 

equipped with an additional module for tube 

machining in which we had to manually load 

one workpiece at a time. 

“Due to this experience, we immediately understood 

the significance of having a machine 

designed to do whatever we desired in automatic 

mode” points out Landoll. 

“The greatest surprise that we 

had with the LT JUMBO is that, 

in the end, it is as fast as smaller 

machines. The jumbo processes 

a huge quantity of tube in a 

24 hours a day, five and half days 

a week.” 

Ally of robotised welding 

The LT8, purchased some time after the LT JUM- 

BO as initially planned, is appreciated for its speed 

and excellent cut quality, as well as for its loading 

and unloading features. The presence of the single 

bar semiautomatic loader in addition to the 

conventional bundle loader located at the rear 

makes it ideal for the several single parts to be cut. 

“It is a very useful and efficient configuration” 

points out Landoll who continues to refer to laser 

systems in general: “We have gained advantage 

in manufacturing components that required 90° 

junctions that can now be carried out with more 

accuracy and in a different manner so as to facilitate 

and speed up welding. We now have the 

capability to efficient produce holes, slots and 

other features on a tube in a single process ”. 

One of the best features of the LT8 is the steady 

rest being positioned close to the cutting head. 

This helps to guarantee the required precision 

for automated welding. The facility includes 

20 robotised welding units that can be used 

only if there are precise components. 

Thinking about future investments, Landoll 

states: “First of all it is necessary to be able to seize 

the opportunities with quality products. All customers 

want reliable and easy to use products. 

Of course, cost is also important and efficiency 

in production must be taken into account. At 

present, our sales exceed our production capacity. 

We must therefore increase our production 

response and control costs and manual that 

is quite considerable”. 

Certainly, Landoll shows his appreciation for 

the BLM Group products and in particular for 

laser technology. As for the future, he is rather 

optimistic, expecting further investments to 

be made in laser systems designed to operate 

in the LT8 and LT JUMBO dimensional ranges. 

30 

MAY 2011 NUMBER 14

FLEXIBILITY, IN ALL ASPECTS 

www.blmgroup.com


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