At Deratech, they are committed to developing and manufacturing reliable machines at an affordable price. These are not high-tech, high-performance systems, but they are adequate for the applications they are made for. The range includes CNC-controlled plate shears, bending machines, punch nibbling machines, automation solutions, CAD/CAM software and tools for the various machines. With Entra, Futura and Supera, the manufacturer also offers fiber laser cutting machines. Deratech has moved to a new home at Industriepark E17/4 in Lokeren, where all machines can also be discovered in an experience center from spring 2024.
Deratech has been around for about 15 years, but it is not a pioneer. The technology it uses for its sheet metal working machines is not new. But it does focus on developing and producing quality machines for applications where a high-performance system or a high-tech machining center is a bridge too far and budgetarily unjustifiable. "For example, we noticed that manufacturing companies were often faced with the dilemma of whether to cut their sheet metal themselves or outsource that production process to an external partner. After all, those who do it in-house can respond more flexibly to customer requests. In many cases the cutting quality of plasma technology is not satisfactory, but they do not want to take the step to fiber laser cutting because the investment is too high and the system would not be profitable," says managing director Nico De Vooght. "If those production companies don't need an extremely high-performance system with 30 kW sources and 6-G axis gears, our fiber laser cutting machines are an option."
The Entra-3015 is a compact fiber laser cutting machine with a cutting power of up to 8 kW and an extendable cutting table on the long side, for companies that want to cut sheets up to 3,000 x 1,500 mm and up to 30 mm thick and do not need a changeover table to do so. The Futura is a universal tube laser cutting machine with a capacity of 10 to 220 mm (type 6020) or up to 380 mm (type 6038). It is suitable for pipe lengths up to 6,000 mm, optionally even 12,000 mm.
"Our Supera is an all-round system, available in sizes 1,500 x 1,500 to 2,500 x 10,000 mm and with cutting power between 1 and 15 kW. A Precitec or Raytools cutting head ensures stable, optimum cutting quality for a wide variety of material types and sheet thicknesses. The IPG fiber laser cutting source is virtually maintenance-free and guarantees constant cutting power for thousands of hours," adds the managing director. "Optionally, this machine can be supplied with a changeover table, a Precitec ProCutter cutting head with automatic focus point adjustment and a rotary axis for cutting round, square and rectangular tubes. It, like our other machines, can also be combined with automation systems for unmanned production. Our machines are not the fastest on the market, but that doesn't worry this target group - as long as they get a reliable and affordable machine that guarantees them a high degree of finish. In the meantime, we have a lot of customers with whom the machines cut daily without any problems."
After all, Deratech's product range includes not only fiber laser cutting machines, but also CNC-controlled plate shears (Practica, Varia), bending machines (Minibend, Ultima, Technica and Hybdrid), punch-cutting machines (Dinamica), automation solutions and CAD/CAM software. These machines are very interesting in terms of price, because the quality of parts and components can never be compromised. Everything is done in-house at Deratech. They design and engineer the systems and take care of production and delivery. The machine builder also places a high priority on service. It supports its customers with a telephone help desk, but also, for example, with the choice of tools or scheduling a quick intervention on the shop floor. There is also continuous investment in the optimization of the product range.
The company built a new 2500 m² building along the E17 freeway in Lokeren with offices, a workshop, warehouse space and an experience center. "We aim to finish our 1000 m² showroom by spring 2024. There, customers will be able to discover the sheet metal working machines in various versions down to the smallest details," concludes Nico De Vooght. "Moreover, it will be possible to demonstrate the operation of the machines, including with workpieces brought by the customer himself. Furthermore, there will also be a one-stop shop for spare parts."
Deratech can be visited during Blechexpo in Hall 3, Booth 3101.