When sheet metal weighing several tons is moved in the eastern German town of Görlitz, precision, speed and reliability are essential. Across two locations, MFV Maschinenbau GmbH has been combining in-depth materials expertise with a high level of vertical integration for more than a decade. Recently, the company has also been relying on state-of-the-art laser cutting technology from MicroStep: an MSF Pro series system equipped with a 3D bevel cutting unit for weld seam preparation and an integrated drilling unit.
MFV Maschinenbau GmbH is firmly rooted in Saxony while also serving international markets. At its two locations in Görlitz, the company processes large quantities of high-strength materials with a clear focus on quality and delivery reliability. "With currently 60 employees, we process around 2,000 tons of wear-resistant steels every year, especially Hardox," reports Managing Director Axel Jantke. With a high level of manufacturing expertise, the company supplies customers from a wide range of industrial sectors with sophisticated components and welded assemblies. "With our complex products in the wear plate sector, we mainly supply customers in Germany and Austria – but also throughout Europe," says Jantke.
High stock availability as a competitive advantage
A key factor in the success of MFV Maschinenbau is the combination of extensive material availability and a high level of in-house production. This enables the company to meet even larger requirements at short notice. "Our large warehouse holds around 1,000 tons of a wide range of wear-resistant plates. Combined with our high level of in-house production, this enables us to supply customers with large quantities within a relatively short time," explains Jantke. A few years ago, these conditions formed the basis for a strategic realignment of the cutting department.
Strategic move: entering laser technology
Until 2023, MFV Maschinenbau relied exclusively on oxy-fuel and plasma technology for cutting. However, as part of the expansion into a new location, the company decided to further develop its manufacturing processes in-house. The reasons were clearly defined: "We deliberately chose a laser cutting system in order to better adapt the advantages of accuracy, component size and cutting speed to the needs of our customers," says Managing Director Axel Jantke.
MicroStep MSF Pro: large-format, precise, flexible
MFV Maschinenbau opted for a multifunctional MicroStep MSF Pro laser system, specially tailored to the requirements in Görlitz. "We chose MicroStep because the overall package is unique – no one else could supply us with this configuration. The complete solution convinced us," says Jantke. The system is designed for large-format cutting and features a shuttle table with a processing area of 2.5 by 9 metres. It is equipped with a 20-kilowatt fiber laser, a 3D cutting head for weld seam preparation and an integrated drilling unit with tapping capability. The cutting head can automatically switch to new tasks using an eight-position nozzle changer. The same applies to the drilling unit, which is equipped with a six-position tool changer. This allows several processing steps to be combined directly within the cutting process, significantly reducing throughput times. "The system is supplemented by a mixed gas console from Hoerbiger. This enables us to cut cost-effectively even in the higher sheet thickness range," says Jantke. The broad cutting range of 2 to 40 millimetres has made it possible to significantly increase cutting capacity. According to Jantke, the high accuracy and speed of the system also provide a major advantage over oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.
Efficiency gains in daily operations
In daily production, the new system demonstrates its strengths particularly in flexibility and material utilization. "We process batch sizes ranging from 1 to 1,000 pieces on the system. Thanks to the sheet size, we were able to significantly reduce our sheet metal waste," says Jantke. The integrated multi-process capability is another key advantage: "Thanks to the bevel unit and the drilling and tapping unit, we can cost-effectively produce even large components with weld seam preparation and threads."
Implemented in partnership – Strong partnership from implementation to operation
In addition to the technology itself, project management was also a decisive factor for MFV Maschinenbau in the investment decision, according to Jantke: "We are very satisfied with the implementation of the laser system. Communication was excellent from the initial consultation through to the start of installation. The installation went smoothly, and any minor issues were resolved quickly." The quality of the partnership has also been confirmed during ongoing operation: "We are very satisfied with our collaboration with MicroStep Europa GmbH. Thanks to our proximity to Berlin, short response times – usually on the same day – are possible."
More capacity, more precision, built for the future
The switch to laser technology has significantly expanded the cutting capabilities at MFV Maschinenbau. With the laser system from MicroStep, the company has consistently advanced its cutting process – creating a stable foundation for further growth and demanding applications in wear-resistant steels.
"We chose MicroStep because the overall package is unique. Thanks to the bevel unit and the drilling and tapping unit, we can cost-effectively produce even large components with weld seam preparation and threads."
Axel Jantke,
Managing Director | MFV Maschinenbau GmbH
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MSF PRO LASER CUTTING SYSTEM AT A GLANCE:
Efficient 3D laser cutting of sheet metal up to 25 mm material thickness
For precise and economical cutting of sheet metal up to 40 millimetres thick, MFV Maschinenbau relies on an MSF Pro series laser cutting system from MicroStep. The system stands out for its high performance and precision in 3D laser cutting, combined with an IPG fiber laser source with 20 kW of cutting power. The MSF Pro at MFV features an automatic shuttle table with a generous processing area of 9,000 x 2,500 mm.
The laser rotator is equipped with MicroStep’s ACTG® automatic calibration unit. In the event of a mechanical adjustment of the cutting head support, the system fully automatically compensates for any misalignment of the cutting head. For example, after an unintentional collision between the cutting head and the material, work can quickly resume without any loss of quality. In addition, the laser system features an automatic eight-position nozzle changer and a mixed gas unit from Hoerbiger, enabling highly efficient processing even at higher material thicknesses.
A drilling unit with 21 kW of power is also integrated into the cutting gantry. The powerful unit enables fully automatic drilling of holes up to 30 mm in diameter and tapping up to M20 in material thicknesses of up to 25 mm. The system also features a fully automatic six-position tool changer.
MFV Maschinenbau GmbH invests in MicroStep laser technology
"We deliberately chose a laser cutting system in order to better adapt the advantages of accuracy, component size and cutting speed to the needs of our customers," says Managing Director Axel Jantke, pictured in front of the new laser system.
© MicroStep Europa GmbH
In use since 2024: a multifunctional fiber laser from the MSF Pro series
The system is designed for large-format cutting and features a shuttle table with an impressive processing area of 2.5 by 9 metres. Among other features, it is equipped with a 20-kilowatt fiber laser and a mixed gas console, making it ideally suited for processing thicker sheet material up to 40 mm.
© MicroStep Europa GmbH
3D cutting, drilling, countersinking and tapping on one system
The laser system combines a special range of technologies: in addition to a 3D bevel unit for weld seam preparation, a powerful unit for drilling, countersinking and tapping is installed on the gantry bridge. "No one else could supply us with this configuration," reports Managing Director Axel Jantke.
© MicroStep Europa GmbH
With more than 10 years of expertise in 3D laser cutting, MicroStep offers a market-proven solution for automated weld seam preparation. Simple V-seams as well as complex X-, Y- and K-seams can be reliably produced on different materials. The drilling unit at MFV is supplemented by an automated six-position tool changer.
© MicroStep Europa GmbH
CyberFab Machine Control
The MicroStep control system can be operated by keyboard and 24" TFT touchscreen and has been extended with an additional monitor for displaying live camera footage from inside the system. The control system enables the parallel creation and nesting of new cutting programs as well as the generation of additional NC codes during ongoing cutting processes.
© MicroStep Europa GmbH
"The most important thing for us was the service"
MFV Maschinenbau is known throughout Europe for complex steel constructions made from wear-resistant steels. As an example, the picture shows two units produced for the recycling sector. "With our complex products in the wear plate sector, we mainly supply customers in Germany and Austria – but also throughout Europe," reports MFV Managing Director Axel Jantke.
© MicroStep Europa GmbH
COMPANY PROFILE
MFV Maschinenbau GmbH, based in Görlitz, Saxony, has stood for high-performance mechanical engineering, conveyor technology and wear technology since its foundation in 2011. The company manufactures complex, ready-to-install components and assemblies – from blanks and folded parts to mechanically machined components and complete welded assemblies. A special focus is placed on the processing of wear-resistant steels such as Hardox, as well as ballistic steels for demanding applications. Customers from general mechanical and plant engineering, conveyor technology and power plant construction in Germany and Europe particularly value MFV’s high level of vertical integration, adherence to deadlines and quality.
MFV Maschinenbau GmbH
Gewerbering 4
02828 Görlitz
Germany
MACHINE PROFILE:
MSF Pro Series
MicroStep – a producer of CNC cutting machines for plasma, laser, oxyfuel, waterjet cutting and routing. Complex processing of sheets, pipes, profiles and domes. Bevel cutting, milling, drilling, tapping, marking, bending, welding. Automated solutions. CNC control systems and CAM. CAPP applications for complex production management.
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