Boschert E-Notch 200

The Boschert E-Notch 200 is a CNC notching and punching center from Boschert GmbH, representing a machine concept that inverts the priority of the Combi series: where the Combi machines are fundamentally punch presses with integrated notching, the E-Notch 200 is primarily a CNC notching machine with punching capability added as a secondary function. The 200 kN (approximately 22-ton) force rating and the E-Notch designation indicate that notching is the primary operation, with punching serving to pre-pierce holes near notched corners and perform simple hole patterns on parts that primarily require notching work.

The E-Notch 200's notching station is the machine's defining feature. Unlike the fixed 90-degree notching stations in the Combi series, the E-Notch 200 offers variable notch angle capability — the notching head can be positioned at multiple angles, enabling V-notches for fold preparation, miter cuts, and non-standard corner preparations beyond the 90-degree limit of fixed notching machines. This variable-angle notching is the key differentiator for applications like decorative metalwork, custom architectural components, sign fabrication, and non-standard structural profiles where 90-degree-only notching creates design limitations.

The punching section of the E-Notch 200 provides basic hole-punching capability alongside the notching operations. With 200 kN force, the punching section handles mild steel up to 5 mm and stainless steel up to 3 mm — sufficient for pilot holes, mounting holes, cable entry knockouts, and simple hole patterns on the same parts being notched. The integration avoids the need to move parts to a separate punch press for simple hole requirements after notching. However, the 200 kN punch force class is not appropriate for high-volume complex punching programs — for those applications, the Combi series or a standalone punch press is more suitable.

Boschert's CNC control on the E-Notch 200 manages both the notching head angle, notch depth, and punching positions in a single NC program. The operator loads the part, and the CNC sequences through all notching operations (at varying angles if programmed) and all punching operations in a single cycle. Variable-angle notching requires the CNC to control a rotary positioning axis on the notching head, which is a more sophisticated control requirement than fixed-angle notching but enables the design flexibility that justifies the E-Notch 200's specialized positioning.

New E-Notch 200 machines are priced in the $120,000 to $200,000 range, reflecting the specialized notching capability with variable angle control and the combined notch-and-punch architecture. This is a niche machine compared to the broader Combi and MAX series — it is the right choice for fabricators whose work demands variable-angle notching, and a poor fit for shops whose work primarily involves high-volume punching with occasional 90-degree notching.