New developments in quoting, CAD/CAM, bending and machine connectivity bring greater intelligence, flexibility and continuity to production
Lantek, a global leader in software solutions for the sheet metal, tube and structural steel industries, will be introducing its latest software Lantek v46: Further, at EuroBLECH 2026.
Lantek v46 introduces significant advances across quotation, engineering, programming and manufacturing execution. The new version extends automation to more technologies, connects more of the workshop and improves the flow of manufacturing information across the Lantek portfolio.
Together, these developments help manufacturers to manage increasingly complex production environments with greater efficiency, flexibility and consistency.
Adam Ball, Commercial Director of Lantek UK, explains: “We are looking forward to revealing our latest smart manufacturing software at EuroBLECH 2026. We will be offering demonstrations of v46 to showcase its unique and innovative features. Euroblech is the largest show in our industry in Europe, and we will be reinforcing our position as an international supplier with a strong local presence, supported by a worldwide network of offices and specialised teams.”
A new generation of intelligent quotation
As part of v46, Lantek is introducing a major evolution of its iQuoting solution, bringing significant advances across every stage of the quotation process.
A redesigned part import assistant supports both individual 3D parts and complete assemblies, providing tools to detect and manage geometries, manipulate layers and prepare imported data for quotation. Integrated feasibility rules then evaluate whether the geometries can be manufactured using the available technologies and production capabilities. Combined with deeper and more configurable calculation methods and predefined work plans, these capabilities bring manufacturing knowledge into the quotation process earlier, allowing manufacturers to represent their own production logic, manufacturing routes, resources and costing criteria more accurately when estimating increasingly complex projects.
Many of these capabilities are supported by KAI, Lantek’s AI technology, which assists users by analysing manufacturing information, interpreting design data and automating complex decision-making throughout the quotation workflow. Rather than replacing engineering expertise, KAI helps companies to prepare accurate quotations more quickly while reducing manual effort and improving consistency.
In addition, the integration with the broader Lantek software portfolio has also been strengthened, enabling a smoother transition from an accepted quotation into downstream manufacturing processes.
Advanced punching programming and NOS optimisation
Lantek Expert v46 takes the programming of punching machines and combined punch-cut technologies to a new level.
New options streamline and automate the programming of individual parts and complete nests, while supporting advanced machining strategies and complex combinations of operations.
A key development is the extension of NOS (Nesting Optimisation Service) to punching machines. Previously available only for cutting technologies, Lantek’s most advanced nesting engine now brings its material optimisation capabilities to punching environments, extending advanced optimisation across a broader range of sheet metal technologies.
Extending automation across the production workflow
As automated loading, unloading and material storage systems become increasingly important in sheet metal production, Lantek is developing new technology to support the growing number and complexity of these projects.
The newly redesigned Stackmaster delivers a more intuitive and visual palletising programming experience, fully integrated within Lantek Expert. At the same time, Lantek is extending its capabilities for automatic storage systems, with technology designed to connect and coordinate cutting machines and warehouses while managing the related MES workflows, production processes and material inventory as part of a complete automation flow.
New possibilities for tube and structural steel manufacturing
Lantek Flex3D v46 incorporates a new module for designing tube-to-tube connections directly within 3D assemblies.
Users can create and adapt these connections from an extensive library of parametric joint types commonly used in industry. By integrating these capabilities into Lantek Flex3D, recurrent manufacturing-oriented design work can be completed without returning to an external CAD application.
The solution also introduces the unbending of bent tubes during 3D file import, automatically generating the developed geometry required for cutting and manufacturing preparation.
For structural steel and profile fabricators, Lantek v46 adds a new integration with Tekla PowerFab, linking its MES-MRP environment with Lantek’s programming solutions. Together with the established StruMIS MRP Connector, this broadens Lantek’s integration ecosystem and gives manufacturers greater flexibility to work with their preferred specialised production management platforms.
More flexible bending decisions on the shop floor
Lantek v46 introduces a more advanced integration between Lantek Bend and the MES manufacturing workflow.
The system can calculate and retain alternative bending solutions for the same part across different press brakes. For each alternative, manufacturers can assess in advance whether the bending operation is technically feasible on that machine, together with the machine-specific tooling, setup and process information required for production.
This allows the final press brake to be selected closer to execution, based on actual machine availability, workload or tooling conditions. Production teams gain greater flexibility to respond to changing workshop priorities while retaining the validated technical information for the selected machine.
Expanded machine connectivity across the workshop
Lantek continues to extend its Machine Connectivity capabilities beyond cutting equipment, adding support for press brakes and other types of CNC machines.
Lantek’s Control Panel has also been renewed with a redesigned user interface. The new design improves the organisation, clarity and readability of machine information, complemented by a smoother and more responsive visualisation of real-time machine events.
By enabling a broader range of production assets to feed reliable data into Lantek MES, Control Panel and Lantek Analytics, this expansion reinforces Lantek’s multi-vendor approach, improves real-time visibility across the workshop and supports more accurate OEE calculations and other key production indicators.
Moving connected manufacturing further
The developments introduced in Lantek v46 further share a common direction: expanding automation, strengthening integration and connecting more technologies across the manufacturing process.
