Perfectly positioned with four cutting technologies

The Lower Bavarian company Kölbl Metallbau GmbH from Tiefenbach in the district of Passau can Kölbl Metallbau GmbH, a Lower Bavarian company based in Tiefenbach in the Passau district, looks back on a 40-year history. Founded in 1985 and now managed by Georg and Martin Kölbl, the medium-sized company has developed into a versatile provider of metal and steel construction services – complemented by a high-performance cutting center that encompasses four cutting technologies: plasma, oxy-fuel, waterjet, and, since 2025, laser.

"Our company is characterized by 22 well-trained employees who have mastered their craft. But also through a very modern machine park, which we always keep up to date and with which we can implement all the requirements of the metal construction industry internally," explains managing director and owner Georg Kölbl at the on-site appointment.

Four cutting technologies – each with its own significance

Kölbl Metallbau utillizes the four cutting processes that are decisive in metal construction today: laser, plasma, oxyfuel and waterjet – and each of them is deliberately applied in the family business. "Each of the four cutting technologies that we have on site has a right to exist, and none of them can be dispensed with," emphasizes Kölbl.

Plasma: flexible and insensitive

For example, the company has had a plasma-oxyfuel combination system from MicroStep for many years. The team mainly uses plasma to cut plates up to 35 mm material thickness – a process that delivers stable results relatively independently of the quality of the sheet surface. "A simple and uncomplicated cutting method," says Kölbl. Oxy-fuel technology is particularly strong for thick sheet metal: "With oxy-fuel technology, we cut structural steel with a material thickness of up to 150 mm," explains the managing director. And the waterjet system enables precision in materials for which thermal separation processes do not technically work or are not desired due to the heat input: Kölbl's company uses it to cut plastic, stone, glass or even granite, for example – even with the finest internal contours.

"The laser is a perfect addition to our systems"

Since 2025, a new laser cutting system from MicroStep Industry powered by ACCURL has been strengthening production. "The laser is the perfect addition to our systems," says Kölbl. "This allows us to cut even the smallest inner contours – just like with a waterjet. This relieves our waterjet system, which is still indispensable." The new laser system has a working area of 4,000 x 2,000 mm and is equipped with an 8 kW Raycus laser source and a cutting head from the EX-TRABEAM® series from THERMACUT. It processes aluminum, stainless steel and structural steel as well as high-strength steels such as Hardox – and with sheet thicknesses from 1 to 25 mm.

More than 20 years of partnership with MicroStep Europa: "Fair advice is something special"

Kölbl Metallbau and MicroStep Europa (ACCURL partner in Germany) have a long-standing relationship. "We bought the first system more than 20 years ago," Georg Kölbl recalls. The renewed award of the contract for a cutting system from MicroStep Europa was therefore no coincidence: "The fair advice, which really determines the best results for the customer, is really something special. And that's why the decision was made again in favor of MicroStep Europa." According to Kölbl, the implementation of the new laser system confirmed the decision: "The implementation was very professional – from planning and project planning, i.e. how the system is ideally placed in the room with all the necessary media, to training and commissioning." According to Kölbl, the start-up phase is particularly important: "If you have a new machine with a technology that is new to you, there are many questions at the beginning. And then you call MicroStep Europa and they quickly come up with a solution."

Fast, stable and powerful

Georg Kölbl is extremely satisfied with the new MasterLINE laser system: "The performance level is very high. The machine is ready to start very quickly – until it runs, until you cut, it only takes a few minutes. And the running stability is also excellent."