Compact, Flexible, And More Efficient: TRUMPF Presents New Solution For Machine Interlinking

At Blechexpo 2025, TRUMPF will be presenting a highly productive laser cutting, punching, and bending production system that is interlinked via a material buffer from STOPA // It combines the productivity and flexibility of individual machines with the advantages of line production

At Blechexpo, for the first time, TRUMPF is presenting a fully automated, interlinked system from the next generation of TruBend Center 7030 panel bending machines, TruMatic 5000 punching and laser machines, and the STOPA flex automated storage system. Compared to conventional interlinked production lines, this solution is particularly flexible. This is made possible by the STOPA storage, which stores the parts between the individual production steps. In this way, TRUMPF combines the flexibility of individual machines with the efficiency of production lines. Stephan Mayer, CEO of TRUMPF Machine Tools: “An important step toward further increasing efficiency in sheet metal production is the direct interlinking of cutting, punching, and bending—with the smallest possible batch sizes, right down to one-piece flow. This saves space costs, internal logistics, and unnecessary parts inventories. Thanks to the integrated, fully flexible software, new parts can be programmed in no time at all.” The networked system manufactures both individual parts and high-volume series economically and efficiently. Decoupling stabilizes the overall system and enables better utilization of each individual machine. In addition, the solution requires only one operator, thus reducing parts costs.

Greater flexibility through “indirect” interlinking
The classic interlinked production lines on the market operate according to the “KIT” principle (continuous production). All components in a series pass through a fixed sequence of process steps one after the other – until the end product is reached. Such production systems are rigid and therefore unsuitable for small batch sizes and a high variety of variants. The cutting and bending process steps are interdependent, and this has a negative impact on the productivity of the entire system because the machines have to wait for each other due to different cycle times and are sometimes idle. TRUMPF takes a different approach with its solution. In line with “batch production,” the first machine in the production system produces a certain number of components. The STOPA storage system temporarily stores these components before transporting them to the next machine. With this manufacturing technology, the process steps run independently of each other. This allows even small quantities to be manufactured flexibly – down to a batch size of 1. "With our solution, users can freely choose their manufacturing strategy for each order. This gives them efficiency advantages, for example because they can make their logistics processes more efficient," says TRUMPF Product Manager Sebastian Götz.

OSEON software controls material flow automatically
The interlinked solution from TRUMPF is networked via the OSEON software. This not only allows users to control the material flow flexibly but also gives them complete transparency over production. Even rush orders can be flexibly scheduled using the software. Since the interlinked solution consists of medium-format machines, it is also particularly compact. “Our solution gives companies the opportunity to automate their production piece by piece and expand it into a smart factory,” says Götz. The solution is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized companies that want to expand their production capacity. Due to its high flexibility, the solution is primarily aimed at product shops, particularly in the fields of elevator construction, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, switch cabinet construction, commercial kitchen construction, and shopfitting.

New TruBend Center 7030 even more productive and affordable
In terms of the interlinked machines themselves, TRUMPF is presenting a new version of the TruBend Center panel bending machine. It works 30 percent faster than the previous version. This is mainly possible thanks to the revised handling concept and consistently parallel-controlled axes. A rotator and a 2-axis manipulator handle the component particularly close to the bending line. This saves time, especially when multiple bends are required. In addition, TRUMPF has equipped the new TruBend Center 7030 with an open machine concept without protective fences, allowing the operator to load the machine more quickly and ergonomically. TRUMPF ensures maximum safety with integrated laser scanners that automatically detect foreign objects in the work area. If the system detects the operator in the secured area, the machine switches off. Thanks to the redesigned machine frame, the TruBend Center 7030 is also more attractively priced. The machine is suitable for components with a sheet thickness of up to three millimeters and a length of up to three meters.

Interlinked system suitable for a wide range of parts
The TruMatic 5000 punching and laser machine, which is also part of the interlinked system, is also highly productive. Companies can use it to cut, punch, and form parts. With its powerful, highly efficient 6 kW TRUMPF fiber laser, it is suitable for a wide range of parts. It also features a Tool Master for automated tool changes and a Sheet Master, which ensures the flow of material between the machine and the warehouse.

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