“… over and over again …”

When architects, urban planners, companies or municipalities want to make streets and squares more livable with trees, they are happy to use products from Humberg GmbH throughout Germany. This is because the family-owned company from North Rhine-Westphalia is the market leader in the field of urban systems for tree protection and plaza design. Individual systems are needed to meet the needs of different tree species and to tailor protection to environmental variables for long-lasting life.

At hundreds of locations in Germany and neighboring countries, the innovative products of Humberg GmbH provide long-lasting greenery in the midst of urban areas – be it on Mercedes Square or Humboldt University in Berlin, Hafen-City in Hamburg or numerous other squares, along avenues, around shopping centers or schools in large cities and small communities. Because the family-owned company based in North Rhine-Westphalia is an expert in tree protection and plaza design and offers complex solutions for all aspects of urban tree planting.

With the knowledge of the trees to decades of green results

In planning and design, Humberg benefits from three decades of intensive collaboration with luminaries in the field of root systems and tree growth “Our strength is our know-how about trees. We know what a tree needs to be able to grow for 30 years at this location with the respective subsoil and environmental conditions,” explains Managing Director Franz Humberg. The family-owned company develops and sells its own systems and is now the market leader in the field of urban products for tree protection. The task of creating solutions that suit the individual situation is a constant challenge. “Everywhere, correctly, more and more trees are being planted. Everywhere where a tree can’t actually grow because we want to use the space as a traffic area,” Franz Humberg describes the situation. Roots receive enclosures and water storage systems, trees are protected from several sides. There are many questions to be answered: Which tree species with which root system will be installed? What is the substrate like? How is the irrigation and drainage? What forces act from above? Is it a busy parking area with tons of traffic or a quiet pedestrian area?

Individual production necessary

These and more questions are answered by the professional staff in terms of the longevity of the trees. Although Humberg GmbH relies on proven basic concepts, these must be individually adapted to the respective situation. “For this reason, pre-production and warehousing makes no sense for us. We rely on cutting quickly in-house,” says Franz Humberg.

From purchasing plasma technology to the desired solution in the laser sector

In the early years, the cutting parts were still bought in. After a larger location became necessary due to the good development of the company, the management decided several years ago to invest in its own cutting systems. More flexibility, more speed was the order of the day. At first, a used laser cutting system was considered. After intensive consultation, however, the decision was made in favor of a 2D plasma cutting system from MicroStep’s MasterCut series. The products have been adapted to the strengths of this technology. The installed Kjellberg HiFocus 161i neo plasma power source was converted to the SilentCut sound-reducing system. “Our employees really liked that. That was good,” says Franz Humberg.

As of April 2017, the plasma cutting system was running, but the demand for laser parts grew steadily despite the in-house cutting system and production adjustments. “Each year we increased in sales and realized we were buying in more after all. We couldn’t handle a third of the cutting orders.” So the idea of investing in their own laser cutting system grew again. But the constellation of performance, size, price and manufacturer we were looking for was not to be found.

It was not until MicroStep Europe presented its new MSE Smart laser series, the powerful entry-level laser, to the market in 2020 that all the desired parameters came together. “Everything fits there. A 2D laser with shuttle table at good conditions. Plus the physical proximity to MicroStep, which I have always liked, everything has always been good. I am very satisfied with the solution,” says Franz Humberg. MicroStep Europe handled the sale of the fledgling plasma cutting system and installed the new fiber laser system in August 2021.

Strong start with 200 tons of cutting results in the first five months

Since then, Michael Humberg – the next generation of Humbergs in the company and, as the person responsible for the machinery, also responsible for the laser cutting system – has been working intensively on production every day. “The machine hasn’t stood a day yet. By Christmas, we had already cut 200 tons,” he says. The company currently cuts only steel in the 5 to 10 millimeter range. Mostly 2 by 2 meter plates are produced. Primarily single shift, with additional hours as needed. “It all goes through cleanly and pleasantly. It’s really wonderful. Even if you have questions, the service technicians always help.” The laser source installed is a system from IPG, the YLR 4000, with 4 kW cutting power.

Michael Humberg’s conclusion: “We would always choose the series again because the overall package simply fits.”

Powerful entry into high-quality laser cutting with the MSE SmartFL
For precise and fast 2D cutting of steels in sheet thicknesses from 5 to 10 millimeters, Humberg GmbH relies on the latest laser series from MicroStep Europa GmbH: the MSE SmartFL. The fiber laser cutting system, equipped with the latest Intel processor technology, is a powerful entry into high-quality 2D laser cutting with an automatic shuttle table and only high-quality components from renowned manufacturers for long-lasting and reliably precise results. Humberg opted for a version with a processing area of 3,000 x 1,500 mm. A YLR 4000 from the German manufacturer IPG Photonics with 4 kW cutting power is integrated as the laser source. The MSE SmartControl machine control system – a modern, intuitive user interface – guarantees that cutting plans can be reliably and highly effectively converted into finished components.

Euroblech Hall 13, Booth E137

Web:
www.microstep.com