The LANG-History
Technical innovations and correct marketing are the combination for success, as the history of LANG documents.
It is not only the innovative production which led to our worldwide success. This success is also due to our very qualified and motivated employees. The result: A mature product program, product innovations and ongoing developments, our own software, quick machine assembly and acceptance, reliable service and support, training on machines and software...at an optimum price/performance ratio.
The company was founded in 1972 by Dipl.-Ing. Richard Lang. Starting in an old farmhouse and supported by four employees, he developed positioning controllers and controllers for paint spraying units.
The first 2-1/2D engraving machine was developed in 1978, working in conjunction with Karl Lang. Richard and Karl Lang had the same intention: to provide technical perfect solutions that gave customers rationalisation options and higher quality.
By 1979 the company had ten employees and new premises for research, development and production. From this time LANG was involved more intensively with the topics of engraving and milling in order to be able to produce interesting new developments as well as improving existing products. This period also covered the development of controllers for the optical industry, which are today in use worldwide and the first LANG 3-D engraving machine with magnetic tape technology. This was shortly followed by the first microprocessor-controlled engraving machine, the LGF-1 with likewise used computer systems, developed by LANG.
Development of the first computer-controlled special engraving machine for tire sidewall moulds was successfully completed in 1983. Today the LGT-S engraving machine for tire sidewall moulds is a major export worldwide for LANG. The requirements became tougher, the tasks more complex. The original four employees had been joined by more than twenty new colleagues by this time. The company moved to the present company building at the end of 1983.
In 1986 the range of products offered by the company was expanded to include the first PC-controlled engraving machine LGP. To respond to the individual requirements of each customer has been and still is the main target of LANG.
A milestone in the history of LANG was the development of the Impala series in 1990, whose construction not only differs in appearance, but also in quality în comparison to conventional machines.This machine is made of a very special material: granite. Holding its strength for millennia, machined with the most powerful CNC machine tools, granite is recognized universally as the most safest basis for maximum precision.
LANG has presented itself with a new and different public image since 1991, which is expressed in the new company logo and the slogan "A partner for innovative CNC technology." A partner for innovative CNC technology - a partnership with the intention of directly exchanging shared experience so that this know-how can be immediately incorporated into the range of products from LANG. This corporate philosophy is the guarantee for innovative trend setting products and services.
In 1995 LANG opened up a complete new market with the MAGNUM CNC machining centre that was developed for high-speed milling and precision mould-making. Digital drive units with Sercos interfaces, an extremely low level of vibration due to the use of primeval granite in the construction and a fast HSC controller form the basis for productive use in many applications. Since that time LANG has forced the pace of development in the field of high-speed machining and has applied its skills and knowledge from the sectors of micro-CNC controllers and milling machines.
In 1997 LANG introduced another engraving and milling machine: the ESPADA. This special engraving machine is intended for demanding engraving and milling work. It offers maximum precision with all types of materials, everything from Plexiglass to stainless steel. It offers multifunctional capabilities for use in fields such as advertising. In the interim the company had grown to around 70 members of staff. The amount of space required in the new main building is far too great now. We decided to expand the production halls, and new ones were opened with great fanfare in 1997 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of foundation of the company.In the meantime, the well-known LANG products have been subjected to constant further development and we produced another offspring in the form of the IMPALA series:The IMPALA 400 S. It is produced in our well-proven form of construction, but with the new high-speed engraving (HSE) system, combining high dynamic AC servo drive units, high-speed controllers and performance construction that produces an extremely low level of vibration.
As a result of the takeover of the so-called "soft" business assets (name, technology, patent rights, etc.) at the end of 1996 from our main competitor in Germany, KUHLMANN, who went bankrupt, LANG has taken over the leadership of the market in this field of precision milling and engraving, not only in technical, but also in quantity.The LANG group has been enlarged through the buy-out of KUHLMANN Werkzeugmaschinen + Service GmbH with its headquarters in Bad Lauterberg. In addition, the area of business was expanded to include milling and grinding machines. The many years of experience of both companies in the engraving segment meant that LANG and KUHLMANN were intended to be strong partners for all matters with regards to engraving and milling.
And also in the anniversary year, LANG recognised the potential in laser engraving. Development work started with the SOLERO laser engraving machine, which represents an innovative move forward for engravers, tool and mould makers and all those who have to do marking in industry and craft work.The laser operates quickly, cleanly and precisely, virtually regardless of the type of material.
In 1998 the SOLERO has been presented at METAV show in Düsseldorf and met a resounding reception.
LANG presented another highlight at the traditional in-house trade fair in April that year: the RM 1500 S - the "Hercules" among special machines for cylinder machining. It is a CNC engraving machine using the well-known LANG granite construction and specialized in particular for production of pressure and embossing cylinders with an extremely high tool requirement. The tool magazine holds up to 96 tools. This machine is also unique becaue of its dimensions; approx. 4700 mm in width, 2800 mm in height, 1950 mm in depth and with a total weight of approx. 8 tons.
At the end of the 20th century LANG completed its product range with the economical CNC engraving and milling machine Ecograv. This new machine with a working range of 420 x 330 x 100 mm is especially suited for the production of small parts, e. g. in the jewellery industry and for the production of small moulds/dies. However, due to the sturdy construction, consisting of cast iron and steel elements, this new development is also perfectly suited for the production of embossing dies, reliefs and electrodes made of copper, brass and steel as well as for flat parts like signs and front panels.For a variety of different tasks we offered two machine packages. The version “Ecograv Basic” is the perfect machine for the price-conscious user who has only started with the engraving business but nevertheless does not want to do the job without the quality standards known from Lang.
The version “Ecograv Professional” contains additional and very useful equipment and is furthermore equiped with a more powerful high frequency spindle.
The new software RELIEFDESIGNER of LANG is the perfect tool for the designing and machining of relief and production of milling data. This software matches perfectly with our already existing software programs and can be used easily and fast for example for creation of 3D reliefs coming from 2D patterns.
In 2000 LANG introduced the already existing and reliable positioning system LSTEP in the form of a PCI plug-in module for the PC. This device is used to control three axis with 2/4 phase stepping motors.
The highlight of the year 2001 was the presentation of the all-in-one CAD/CAM software LErgoCAD on the EMO exhibition. LErgoCAD will allow you to flexibly combine different machining strategies and suits best your particular job and your production capabilities. This will help you to reduce production costs, decrease throughput times, and provide greater economy.
In summer 2002 LANG presented on the METAV show in Düsseldorf the new high speed machining centre "VARI.CUBE". The front part of the gantry-type machine is designed as a variable zone. It allows both, integration of the machine into production lines and the connection of automatic toolchangers. The workpiece is not moved during the machining operation; the axes can therefore set to maximum dynamic performance, irrespective of the workpiece mass. The solid granite design ensures optimum conduction of the cutting forces into the machine frame with highest thermal stability. The feed axes of the machine are optimally designed for HSC applications. The acceleration in all axes is > 1g. Rigid ball screws driven by high dynamic response AC servomotors achieve the highest possible dynamic performance at the greatest possible contour accuracy. Linear measuring systems with distance-coded reference marks in all axis guarantee precise machining.
In April 2002 the general manager Mr. Kozian became shareholder of LANG with 50%.
In 2005 LANG presented its new machine concept for cylindrical machining. During EMO the specialized public could examine the RM 800S for the first time. At the same time the machine RM 1200S was finished in Hüttenberg. LANG has extended its RM series to three machines.
In the year 2006 LANG could present two new innovations. The established machine Impala 800S is now available with 4. /5. axe and opens further processing options to the user. In the same year LANG presented the new LSTEP-PP for up to four axes. With the LSTEP-PP LANG unites the servo and the stepping motor technology in one system.
For the machining of cutting cylinders, LANG could present its new innovation in 2007. The machines RM 800S and RM 1200S can be equiped with another axis, which allows the machining of cutting cylinders. On the basis of this new system the processing time is much more shorter than before. In that year the proven positioning system LSTEP-PCI also got a new design. The new and slender design make it possible to use the board in normal PCs.
In 2008 LANG developed the 5 axes simultaneous machining center MC 500 as well as the RM 500 S Laser for the machining of cylinders. Also the 4 axes stepper motor controller LSTEP PCI express was brought on the markt.
2009 the new LErgoCAD 2.0 is available item the LNC compact, a high resolution 4 axis- stepping motor controller replaces the MCG Controller in machines of the Impala- series.
2010 LErgoCAD 3.0 as well as the Relief-Designer 3.0 alailable. Also the laser machine Pulsaris and the next generation of the LGT-S are on markt.
Volker Kozian takes over the remaining 50% of the LANG GmbH & Co. KG.
LANG GmbH & Co. KG
Dillstraße 4, 35625 Hüttenberg
Germany
Phone: +49-6403/7009-0
Fax: +49-6403/7009-40
E-Mail: info@lang.de
Internet: www.lang.de