May, 2026- By 2032, Industry 4.0 is expected to expand the laser market with a shift toward higher precision, AI-driven optimization, autonomous operation and zero waste.
“Automation and collaborative robots are not new, but what has changed is the need for flexibility.” says Gunar Gossard, vice president of sales at BLM GROUP USA. “In many cases, part volumes are smaller and product variation is higher, which means manufacturers must think beyond a single application. The real question is not just whether they can justify a new machine or automation system today, but whether the investment can adapt to the mix of jobs they’re running now, and changes they’ll face five years down the road.”
Combining BLM Group USA’s product lines is easy with BLMelements software.
The LS7 fiber laser was engineered for high-speed, high-precision sheet processing.
ADAPTABILITY
To support the need for flexibility, BLM GROUP USA’s tube, 2D and 5-axis laser systems can function as stand-alone cutting machines or integrate multiple manufacturing processes into single, automated cycles. The equipment builder delivers a range of capabilities designed to improve precision, efficiency and material use. Features such as Active Piercing and Active Tools automatically adjust cutting parameters, helping maintain consistent quality even when processing distorted materials or varying thicknesses.
The tube laser systems can handle round, square, rectangular and specialty profiles [C and L sections] without manual retooling. In addition, zero scrap functionality allows operators to cut to the end of bar, maximizing yield and reducing waste.
The 2D LS series is designed for high-productivity flat sheet processing, combining speed, flexibility and automation tools. Active Camera technology optimizes material use by nesting new parts on available scrap at the machine interface. Certain configurations can also integrate tube processing capabilities, expanding application flexibility. The 5-axis laser systems can process 3D parts, such as bent tubes or hydroformed components.
Offline programming is supported by ArGo CAM software, which allows users to simulate and optimize production in a virtual environment. These systems can be configured with robots or rotary tables to support flexible part handling and higher productivity across a range of applications.
''Automation is not new; what has changed is the need for flexibility.'' Gunar Gossard, BLM GROUP USA
BLM GROUP USA’s 2D and 3D Lasertube systems can produce everything from perpendicular, straight cuts to complex geometries and weld preparation on tubes and profiles 0.5-inch to 24-inch diameters.
KEYS TO PRODUCTIVITY
“The industry’s search for efficiency gains, reduced downtime and higher profitability have fueled the development and expanded use of automation,” Gossard says. “The individual machine has value, but we are looking beyond that to give fabricators an interconnected ecosystem of technologies. The end goal is to give them a solution that effectively maximizes their production and profitability.”
Helping customers find the right solution begins with lots of questions, says Gossard. “We visit the customer’s facility to gather more information about the parts that will be run.” The more questions that are answered, “the more defined the solution becomes. Our evaluation also includes whether automation makes sense for the parts they want to run.”
Companies interested in networking more than one process together must examine how those machines will interact. “Let’s say I can use my tube laser to process 100 parts per hour, before it goes to a tube bender that only has the capability to produce 75 parts,” Gossard says. In that case, the tube bender becomes a bottleneck because the laser sits idle 25 percent of the time.
“Our modular automation solutions allow [users] to automate specific portions of an integrated laser and tube bender line rather than implementing a fully automated turnkey cell.”
Automated portions can include material loading and handling, weld-seam detection, part unloading and sorting, and individual machine automation. The ability to forecast capacity is equally critical for manufacturers looking to automate integrated processes. Will part types and volumes be the same in four years?
The tower automatically stores, retrieves and feeds fl at sheet to laser cutting systems for consistent, uninterrupted production.
SERVICE & TRAINING
To help manufacturers answer these questions, the company has introduced MyBLM, a consulting service that supports customers in achieving the highest levels of productivity and ROI. It helps customers understand how to achieve production efficiencies through the lifecycle of their systems. MyBLM provides customized training and on-site assistance. Once a system is fully operational, the company supports the customer through performance monitoring, process analysis, and the continuous identification of improvement opportunities.
BLM GROUP USA provides comprehensive training, offering both in-person and on-site training for customers. The programs focus on technical skills for machine operators, maintenance personnel and designers. In addition, the company supports workforce development through internships, educational initiatives and partnerships with schools and universities, helping to build technical skills and prepare the next generation of manufacturing talent.
With the direction the marketplace is going, scalability and flexibility will be key considerations in the decisions companies make around automation for laser cutting machines and other processes,” Gossard says. “We are one partner with core technologies available to us, and we understand how they communicate and connect. It’s about giving customers the tools they need to get results and remain competitive.”
BLM GROUP USA, 248/560-0080, blmgroup.com.
