Above: Connected software is one tool that fabricators can use to help mitigate labor shortages.
May, 2026- Volatile energy prices. Supply chain uncertainty. Tight labor market. These are just a few of the global market dynamics that fabricators must confront. To help navigate these choppy waters, many fabricators have a wealth of data at their finger tips and may not realize it.
“The future doesn’t belong to us. We can’t foresee it. But we can take a close look at and leverage the data being generated daily via an integrated suite of software solutions,” says Anupam Chakraborty, commercial director at software provider Lantek Systems. “With software connectivity, fabricators gain visibility into their business performance and intelligence across the entire value chain.”
Founded in 1986, the global software company offers fabricators a unified, cloud-based platform approach Lantek 360 that integrates CAD, CAM, MES, ERP, analytics and shop floor intelligence for sheet fabricators, as well as for customers working in metal plate, tubes and beams.
MATERIAL PLANNING
Lantek 360 Smart Factory, a platform designed to transform real production data into operational intelligence for the shop floor, enhances the capabilities of the core Lantek product suite while introducing new applications such as Lantek Control Panel, Lantek Analytics, Lantek iQuoting and Lantek MetalShop.
“With Lantek 360 Smart Factory, the fabricator moves from silos with disconnected nesting, quoting and ERP information to a connected intelligence platform,” explains Chakraborty. “The set of applications within Lantek 360 allows the path to digital transformation to unfold quickly and intuitively for fabricators,” he adds.
With connectivity, a fabricator can view quoting history and closing rates, then compare this to current outstanding quotes. “By mapping such data against current inventory levels, the fabricator is able to determine whether they need to stock for future unpredictability,” says Chakraborty. Relying on data over gut instinct is only possible through an integrated software system, he underscores.
Through Lantek 360, Chakraborty says fabricators can map quotes against material requirements, “especially when faced with unforeseen circumstances. Using mapping data, management can make informed purchasing judgment calls based on their company’s past performance.”
Fabricators can view real time equipment utilization metrics and inventory data with Lantek 360 Smart Factory.
LEVERAGING REMNANTS
Lantek 360 synchronizes the software provider’s advanced 2D and 3D CAD/CAM nesting capabilities to automate the shop floor’s CNC programming for sheet as well as tubes, pipes and beams. Lantek’s nesting capabilities are powered by a unique algorithm based on the shape and size of the parts.
Nesting efficiently aids fabricators in optimizing material usage and tapping into remnants for cost savings. “Using remnants is a smart way to mitigate supply chain worries, by utilizing material a fabricator already has in inventory,” states Chakraborty.
‘’Lantek 360 is agnostic, designed to connect the shop floor regardless of brand or age of equipment.'' Anupam Chakraborty, Lantek Systems He offers an example of a sheet being pulled from inventory for laser cutting. Lantek 360 automatically removes the sheet from inventory while it is being processed on the shop floor. “Once the laser cutting is done, the cutoff is tagged as a laser-cut part and returned to inventory as a remnant,” says Chakraborty. “There are future job possibilities in these remnants,” he adds.
Lantek 360 allows the programmer to set the minimum spacing between parts to optimize material for better yield. “Higher yield can translate into slightly larger remnants for future projects,” notes Chakraborty.
SHOP FLOOR OPTIMIZATION
Chakraborty points to another area where cost savings opportunities may be lurking: the shop floor. “Most fabrication shops have several work centers that generate realtime data relating to the machine usage and related labor hours. If management detects a difference between similar work centers, they might want to investigate the cause of the anomaly,” explains Chakraborty.
He suggests that data can reveal whether a machine is running at optimal levels or requires maintenance. The data also detects when an operator may benefit from additional training on the equipment.
“Using real-time data compiled through Lantek 360 can lower rejection rates and boost run times, which translates into reduced costs,” states Chakraborty.
Data also informs future capital expenditure and headcount decisions. “Let’s consider a fabricator growing at 10 percent annually over the past five years. With new growth targets set for 15 percent, Lantek 360 enables the fabricator to calculate future equipment and labor needs. With this insight, management has actionable intelligence and is positioned for predictive decision making relating to capex and staffing,” he notes.
Lantek 360 was recently recognized with the Innovation Award for Digitalization and Automation in advanced manufacturing environments at the 33rd edition of the International Machine Tool Biennial for its ability to connect different machines with multiple CNCs representing a range of manufacturers and equipment released in various years. “Lantek 360 is agnostic, designed to connect the shop floor regardless of brand or age of equipment,” Chakraborty says.
CAPACITY PLANNING
Predictive decision making extends to capacity management as well. With Lantek 360, the fabricator has real-time equipment utilization metrics along with inventory data. “This intelligence informs a fabricator’s decision when it comes to accepting new business in the short term and business expansion in the long term,” Chakraborty reports.
“During market uncertainty, knowledge is power—especially when it comes to knowing how much material inventory a fabricator is sitting on or whether equipment is sitting idle. Such knowledge gives management the confidence to know whether they can still accept more customer orders,” Chakraborty adds.
Regardless of events playing out on the world stage, it is safe to predict changing times are ahead for fabricators. “We don’t offer fabricators a crystal ball, but Lantek 360 enables fabricators to proactively shape their future—whatever that might be,” Chakraborty assures.
Lantek Systems Inc., 877/805-1028, lantek.com.
