"Machine-as-a-Service" Utilize Automated Technology for Laser Cutting and Bending Without Purchasing

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Use instead of buy: The “machine-as-a-service” concept represents a boost for automation in sheet metal processing.

Sheet metal processing in Europe is under pressure: A strained economic situation, high material and energy costs, and a significant shortage of skilled labor are causing companies to hold back on larger investments. Blechnext presents a counterproposal to the traditional machine purchase: Under the label "Machine-as-a-Service" (MaaS), sheet metal processing companies can utilize automated technology for laser cutting or bending without having to acquire it. What sounds like a simple leasing model reveals itself upon closer inspection as a comprehensive productivity promise.

While productivity in sheet metal processing was measured for decades by the performance of individual machines, today the focus has shifted to the overall system. Those who want to remain competitive need highly automated facilities. However, such investments require capital in the millions, necessitate specialized programmers, and rely on constant utilization to be profitable. This is where Blechnext's partner model, Machine-as-a-Service, comes into play. The motto is: "Utilize Instead of Buy." Unlike conventional financing models, Blechnext not only takes on the role of a bank but also becomes an integral partner in the production process.

Full Automation with Comprehensive Support

The key difference from traditional leasing lies in the depth of support. Blechnext not only purchases the physical machine—such as the TruLaser Center 7030 cutting system with storage from Trumpf or an automated bending cell from a reputable machine manufacturer—and installs it in the customer's production hall, but also ensures the smooth operation of the system in the background. The sheet metal processor manufactures its own customer orders on the machine and ensures a pre-agreed utilization rate. The pillars of the MaaS model: 
Through remote control over the Internet, Blechnext takes over

• The complete NC programming of customer orders
• Cross-process monitoring and troubleshooting (at least 16 hours a day, five days a week, and in the medium term, 24/6)
• Responsibility for system availability and performance

The employees of the sheet metal processor are only needed for material handling and simple weekly maintenance. Since Blechnext also covers all maintenance costs, including all replacement and wear parts, the technical risk remains entirely with the provider.

Fair and Transparent: The Billing Model

To operate the model economically, the sheet metal manufacturer guarantees a contractually stipulated minimum utilization of approximately 320 hours per month for laser systems or about 180 hours for bending cells. If the sheet metal processor has additional manufacturing capacity, they benefit from extra orders received from Blechnext through their online order portal as a preferred partner. Flexibility is maintained: the sheet metal processor's own customer orders always take precedence to meet delivery commitments. Billing is done transparently based on the actual machine hours worked according to the NC program. Technically induced downtimes are fairly taken into account and reduce the required minimum hour count.

Automation Boost Against the Skilled Labor Shortage

The Machine-as-a-Service model addresses one of the industry's biggest pain points: the shortage of skilled labor. Estimates suggest that laser cutting machines are often only operational for about 1.5 shifts on average in Germany—and only about a third of that time is truly productive. Such inefficiencies are hardly affordable in the global competition. With the high level of automation of the provided systems, the need for personnel in both laser cutting and bending decreases drastically.

The TruLaser Center 7030 operates almost autonomously: From loading the raw sheets, through high-dynamic cutting with a movable cutting head, to the intelligent separation of good parts and scrap, and sorted placement according to customer orders, the process runs fully automatically. Manual sorting is no longer required. On-site staff can then focus on other value-adding activities within the operation.

Expansion of the Concept to Bending Machines

While automated laser cutting is already well established, bending or flanging with current systems requires a high level of operator expertise and is labor-intensive. Blechnext is taking the next step and expanding its MaaS partner model to include automated bending cells. The company integrates complex measurement and camera technology to minimize manual checks. The model is flexible: either a new bending cell is installed, or existing machines are retrofitted with an automation cell. This allows companies to reduce their labor needs, making it possible to bend batch sizes starting from 20 pieces—depending on the component—up to large series with consistently high quality, even without specialized experts in bending automation.

Blechnext demonstrates that the future of sheet metal processing lies not only in better machines but also in smarter business models. "Machine-as-a-Service" is not only a financing tool; it is an accelerator for digital transformation. It enables sheet metal processors to significantly increase their level of automation, digitize processes, and produce more sustainably—while maintaining full cost control and minimal risk.

*Freelance Author