In December 2024, Avent Extrusion Steels & AVA Special Steels invested in two new high-performance Gentiger bandsaws supplied by Prosaw—and we can confidently say it’s the best investment we’ve ever made in our sawing capacity.

Having used bandsaws for nearly 25 years since our company’s inception, we’ve seen a wide range of machines come and go. But the Gentigers have truly raised the bar. These saws have increased our cutting capacity by almost 20% in terms of size, and when paired with carbide-tipped blades, they cut up to five times faster than the machines they replaced.

This exceptional performance has enabled us to reduce our bandsaw count from seven machines down to five, without compromising output—in fact, quite the opposite. The Gentigers easily handle the workload of the previous four saws they replaced and still have more to give. This reduction not only streamlines our operations but also leads to significant energy savings, a vital factor given today’s energy costs and the growing emphasis on sustainability.

Another standout is their ability to cut tough materials with ease while still delivering excellent surface finishes and extremely flat cuts. We’re now able to saw material down to near-net sizes, which means less secondary machining and reduced waste. Combined with their ability to achieve remnant lengths as small as 7mm, these bandsaws have brought a massive improvement to our material efficiency.

The Gentigers also feature energy monitoring capabilities, allowing us to track and record usage—an invaluable tool for improving efficiency and meeting green credentials. Their intelligent automation, including auto-measurement of the first piece in a program and automatic recognition of bar size to determine feeds and speeds, has transformed both setup time and consistency.

In fact, our saw operators preferred using the Gentigers over any other saws on-site within just days of working with them. Add to this their near-silent operation—thanks to their premium build quality and substantial 9000 kg weight—and you’ve got a truly outstanding machine.

We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a Gentiger bandsaw to anyone in the industry. And with the excellent support and service from Prosaw throughout the entire process, the experience has been nothing short of exceptional.

James Avent, Director, Avent Extrusion Steels