Smarter Cutting for Alutrade with MPS Control

Alutrade wanted to further automate its processes and once again chose Van Dulst Techniek.

The Swedish company Alutrade specializes in the machining of aluminum profiles. The company supplies standard profiles, custom-designed special profiles, machining services, surface treatments, and complete profile solutions.

In this production process, everything revolves around precision, speed, and control. Profiles must be cut to size efficiently, with as few manual operations and as little material waste as possible.

Two years ago, Van Dulst Techniek - through MPS (Modular Production Systems), its custom machine-building division - already supplied Alutrade with its first cutting solution: the JIH-I 24D cutting line with MPS Control. This system consisted of a crosscut saw and an output table and already utilized the same smart interface between the office and the machine.

That experience laid the foundation for the next step. Alutrade wanted to further automate its operations and once again chose Van Dulst Techniek.

The Challenge

Alutrade processes many different aluminum profiles. Unlike with steel, these are often not standard sizes, but rather customer-specific extrusions with complex shapes. As a result, every order requires a precise translation of profile type, length, quantities, and cutting sequence.

When this preparation is done manually, it takes time and increases the risk of errors. At the same time, the demand for cutting work with tighter tolerances is growing. Material usage also remains a key concern, because aluminum profiles are expensive and usable scrap pieces must be able to be reused.

Alutrade’s request was therefore clear: a precise cutting solution that simplifies preparation, makes smarter use of material, and better aligns with daily production practices. The image below shows the old machine previously supplied by Van Dulst.

Our Solution

MPS supplied a new, automated sawing system for Alutrade: the JIH24 LS. The system consists of a feed magazine, automatic feeding, precise positioning, and a sawing unit capable of handling a wide variety of profile shapes. The machine automatically feeds profiles, positions them precisely, cuts them to size, and then immediately moves on to the next length.

MPS Control is more than just a cutting optimization program. It integrates job planning, the operator, and the machine into a single, fixed workflow.

For Alutrade, this delivers three key benefits: less manual input, smarter use of materials, and greater transparency in production. Orders are prepared centrally, batches can be flexibly distributed across the machines, and the operator works with clear cutting instructions right at the line.

This creates a scalable workflow in which software, machine, and operator are better aligned.

One software environment for two machines

At Alutrade, the new installation operates alongside the previously delivered JIH-I 24D sawing line with MPS Control. Both machines are now controlled from a single MPS Control environment.

This makes production more flexible. Orders can be prepared in the office and then assigned to the machine best suited for the job. The existing workflow remains unchanged, while capacity and accuracy increase.

The new JIH24 LS is also suitable for work requiring tighter tolerances. While the first line was primarily used for simpler cutting jobs, the new system can cut with an accuracy of approximately 0.1 millimeter. This enables Alutrade to process products for which customers have higher requirements for dimensional stability.

Here’s how the process works in practice

1. Orders are received via the ERP system

Production orders are sent from the ERP system to MPS Control. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually enter all lengths, quantities, and profile data. This reduces the risk of errors and speeds up preparation.

MPS Control can automatically import production orders via standard formats or customer-specific integrations.

2. MPS Control optimizes the cutting layout

The software groups products by profile type and determines how the requested lengths can be obtained as efficiently as possible from the available material lengths. In doing so, MPS Control takes into account lead-in pieces, end pieces, clamping lengths, and scrap pieces.

Usable scrap pieces can be stored and reused later in a subsequent order. This minimizes material waste and ensures smarter use of inventory.

3. The production planner determines the production sequence

The production planner maintains an overview of the batches and can determine which batch is produced on which machine. New batches can be prepared in advance while the machine is still running. As soon as a batch is finished, the machine can immediately move on to the next job.

This ensures higher machine uptime and less downtime between orders.

4. The operator focuses on loading and unloading

Because MPS Control provides the order information and cutting data, the operator’s main task is to feed the correct profile at the right time. The software clearly displays which material lengths and profile types are needed via the Human Machine Interface (HMI).

This simplifies operation and reduces reliance on manual input or specialized knowledge at the machine.

5. The machine provides progress updates

During production, the order status is updated in the ERP system. This provides a clear overview of which products are already finished, which batch is in production, and how far along the order is.

For production planning, this means greater control over production scheduling. For the operator, it means a clear workflow at the machine.

Why MPS Control makes a difference here

MPS Control is more than just a cutting optimization program. It is an order flow system that connects the ERP, work planning, operator, and machine.

For Alutrade, this delivers value primarily in three areas:

Error reduction, because production orders are automatically imported, reducing the need for manual data entry and thereby lowering the risk of input errors.
Material optimization, because the software intelligently allocates lengths, takes offcuts into account, and can reuse usable scrap material.
Production overview, as work planning can see which batches are ready, what is currently in production, and which machine is processing which order.

MPS Control thus serves as the digital link between the ERP system and the machine. The software package supports control, the import of production orders, progress tracking, flexibility, error reduction, and optimization of material usage.

From request to commissioning: Here’s how the process unfolded

Step 1: A Satisfied Customer Expands

The partnership with Alutrade began with the first sawing machine, which was delivered about two years ago. That machine proved its worth in practice, particularly thanks to its reliable sawing technology. This positive experience laid the foundation for a second project.

Step 2: From a simple cutting solution to a more advanced line

The new system builds on the experience gained with the first machine but takes things a step further technically. The machine features a more complex feed magazine, a more precise positioning system, and a cutting process capable of handling tighter tolerances.

This enables Alutrade to process products that require higher precision.

Step 3: A Single Software Environment for Multiple Machines

A key requirement was that Alutrade be able to expand upon its existing workflow with MPS Control. The production planning team continues to work within the same software environment and can now select which machine will produce the order.

This makes the expansion logical and scalable. The software grows in tandem with production capacity.

Step 4: Testing, Acceptance, and Commissioning

During the acceptance process, the machine’s functions were tested, including automatic feeding, positioning, cutting, scrap removal, and integration with MPS Control. The system was then prepared for use at Alutrade.

Would you also like to have more control over your production process?

Do you work with aluminum, plastic, or metal profiles, and does order preparation still take too much time? Or would you like to reduce errors, minimize scrap, and improve coordination between work planning and the machine?

With MPS Control, Van Dulst links your production orders directly to the machine. This creates a consistent, reliable workflow in which the software, machine, and operator work together.

Contact us for a consultation. Together, we’ll review your production process, material flows, and opportunities for automation.

0180 510 455
verkoop@vandulst.nl