2025.10.22 
Achievements The sheet metal industry is undergoing a rapid shift toward smart factories, where connectivity, automation and data-driven decision-making are becoming essential. With more than 35 years of experience, a presence in 100 countries and over 36,000 customers worldwide, Lantek has played a leading role in this evolution. At BlechExpo 2025, the company will unveil its new v45 software release, a milestone that not only introduces important features but also signals the beginning of a new era in the way workshops operate.
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The highlight of v45 is the debut of KAI, Lantek’s new generation of AI-based services. KAI is introduced as a transversal assistant available across several applications, supporting technicians in their daily work.
Yet KAI is much more than a single tool. It is the start of an ambitious and profound journey that promises to multiply capabilities and radically simplify processes. For users, this means a smarter companion that will save time, reduce effort and improve consistency, opening a new and exciting path towards intelligent manufacturing.
Lantek Bend, the company’s software for sheet metal bending, now becomes fully integrated with Lantek’s cutting, MES and ERP solutions. This integration ensures that data flows seamlessly from design through cutting and bending to production management. For users, it translates into fewer communication errors, better precision, greater traceability of each part document and tighter process control. Ultimately, workshops gain better coordination, fewer costly reworks and faster order deliveries.
Palletizing is a critical part of sheet metal operations, and recent machine innovations have dramatically expanded possibilities. To take advantage of these, Lantek has carried out a deep update of Stackmaster, its palletizing programming module, and has also substantially enhanced Lantek Expert for the management of new lift devices with multiple carriages and movable bands. The result is outstanding interoperability with other systems, broader compatibility with the latest machine generations, improved efficiency, and a more intuitive user experience. For technicians, this means shorter programming times, smarter machine utilization and more agile, cost-effective production.
Lantek Assembly to Nesting (A2N), first introduced at Fabtech 2024, was quickly embraced by users. Its goal is to simplify the transition from a 3D CAD assembly to nesting and cutting. In v45, A2N evolves with enhancements in usability and unfolding accuracy, thanks to the use of bending tool data. Manufacturers can now prepare jobs faster and with greater confidence, ensuring the final parts remain faithful to the original design while saving time and reducing errors.
Lantek Flex3D keeps evolving as one of the most versatile CAD/CAM software for tubes and profiles nesting and machining. With v45, it now connects through a native connector with StruMIS, an MRP/project management system for structural fabricators integrated with TEKLA. This connection allows data to flow smoothly from design to fabrication without duplication, giving users greater control and consistency. In addition, Flex3D introduces a major upgrade to its nesting engine, delivering outstanding material utilization and significant cost savings through reduced scrap.
Another major advance in v45 is found in Lantek MES, the company’s production management system. The release incorporates a new generation of the Production Planning tool, providing greater transparency in delivery times and resource utilization. With a modern full web interface, it gives managers clear visibility and precise control about the expected shopfloor performance and possible bottlenecks. The update also brings improvements in intermediate warehouse management and expanded Machine Connectivity, allowing virtually any type of workshop machine to be integrated into the system. For users, this means more transparency, better predictability and greater responsiveness to changing demands.
As quoting becomes more strategic for manufacturers, the integration of Lantek iQuoting with other modules allows shops to generate accurate estimates based on real-time CAD/CAM and MES/ERP data. This ensures better control of margins, faster responses to customers, and improved coordination across departments.
Ultimately, v45 is not just about technology. It is about making the day-to-day work of sheet metal professionals easier, faster and more profitable. Each module has been enhanced to deliver tangible benefits: from better material utilization and more precise planning to faster job preparation and more connected workflows.
With v45, Lantek takes a decisive step toward the factory of the future: smarter, more connected, and centered on the needs of its users.