Precision at the touch of a button

Rudi Metzler GmbH specializes in flat roofs, facades and sheet metal solutions and has invested in forward-looking technology with the new RAS SMARTcut 52.30. The machine takes pressure off production in the Black Forest with better cut quality, smart operation, clever additional features and a compact design.

Rudi Metzler GmbH looks back on more than a century of history. Since 1900, the company has stood for quality roofing craftsmanship. Today the family business employs around 80 people at four sites in Hinterzarten, Herbolzheim, Villingen-Schwenningen and Heidelberg.

Its core business is flat roofing, which accounts for more than 80 percent of project volume. Metzler also offers facades, pitched roofs, crane work and sheet metal services. The in-house sheet metal workshop in Hinterzarten plays a central role: around 30 percent of all projects involve sheet metal work, and the share is growing, especially in facade construction and modern roofing systems.

When experience reaches its limits

For many years, Metzler relied on an RAS swing beam shear that proved reliable and durable in daily use. For more than two decades it cut materials such as 2 mm aluminum and demanding composites, always under heavy load.

But with increasingly complex projects and a growing range of materials, the trusted machine gradually reached its limits. “Productivity suffered because we had to do more and more rework and could no longer meet our cycle times,” explains Gerson Wehrle, member of the management team. “Scrap increased as well, which really adds up with today’s high material prices. But to be fair, we ran it at the top of its capacity for years, and it handled that reliably.” The conclusion was clear: it was time for a new generation of technology.

A considered decision: RAS again

Although several manufacturers were evaluated, RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau was chosen once again. The deciding factors were value for money and positive experience over two decades. “RAS offers long-lasting quality. The machines are well thought out, easy to maintain and easy to operate. Other suppliers couldn’t keep up. Setup, installation and upkeep are also pretty straightforward.”

RAS’s personal, always reachable customer service was once again a decisive factor. “We were never kept waiting, and communication was always direct and solution-oriented.”

The choice was the SMARTcut with a cutting length of 3,100 mm: modern technology in a compact design, a clear advantage where workshop space is limited.

Better cutting. Easier work.

Since the new swing beam shear was commissioned, daily work in the sheet metal shop has improved noticeably. Consistently high cut quality and exact repeatability reduce scrap and increase efficiency. The intuitive user interface makes it easy to get started. “Operation really is self-explanatory. Switch on the machine, select the cutting program and off you go, all in less than a minute.”

An integrated part counter brings clarity to order picking and helps plan for different construction sites. It is always clear how many parts have already been processed.

An integrated cutting line light makes precise work easier. “I can see exactly where the blade comes down. That’s a real plus for precision,” says Wehrle. The selectable front or rear ejection has also proven its worth: depending on requirements, sheets are processed further immediately or stacked.

“I can see exactly where the blade comes down. That’s a real plus for precision.”Gerson Wehrle, member of the management team, Rudi Metzler GmbH

Handling has been improved too. “The cut sheets drop straight onto the stacking cart, which saves walking and time. We recommend working with at least two carts so we can handle different orders at the same time. That way there is always a cart free and the process keeps running smoothly.”

Technology that makes everyday work easier

The new machine also offers noticeable ergonomic benefits. Two table extensions allow large sheets to be put down safely and comfortably. The previous model did not have this special feature; today it is considered indispensable.

The SMARTcut also excels at tapered cutting. Two additional tilting stops make this task much easier and eliminate the need for makeshift solutions.

An effective hold-down prevents sheets from buckling during the cut. Together with the self-cleaning squaring arm and the low-wear rubber strip, the result is a clean, mark-free cutting process.

Conclusion

For Rudi Metzler GmbH, the SMARTcut is another step toward greater efficiency, quality and future-readiness in sheet metal processing.

“The new SMARTcut has more than met our expectations.”Gerson Wehrle, member of the management team, Rudi Metzler GmbH