Boschert EKO 200

$80,000 - $130,000 (new) Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Accuracy

±0.1 mm

max punching force

200 kN (22.5 tons)

working area

2,000 x 1,000 mm (79 x 39 in)

max stroke rate

200 strokes/min

max sheet thickness steel

5 mm (0.197 in) mild steel

max sheet thickness stainless

3 mm (0.118 in) stainless steel

Overview

The Boschert EKO 200 is a compact, entry-level CNC punch press from Boschert GmbH, the Freiburg, Germany-based manufacturer known for cost-effective sheet metal punching and notching solutions. The EKO 200 is the smallest model in Boschert's lineup, designed for small workshops, prototyping operations, and light fabrication that requires CNC punching capability on a minimal budget and footprint. The '200' designation indicates the machine's 200 kN (22.5-ton) punching force, which is the standard entry-level force class for CNC punch presses across the industry.

The EKO 200 uses a hydraulic punch drive — consistent with Boschert's philosophy of proven, maintainable technology over complex servo-electric systems. The working area is 2,000 x 1,000 mm (79 x 39 in), which accommodates smaller sheet formats common in prototyping, custom fabrication, and electrical enclosure work. Tool capacity is 12 stations on a linear tool rail with automatic selection, providing sufficient tool variety for most small-batch punching applications without the complexity or cost of a full turret. Sheet capacity is up to 5 mm mild steel and 3 mm stainless steel, covering the thickness range most relevant to light structural and enclosure fabrication.

Boschert's EKO series emphasizes simplicity and reliability over peak performance metrics. The hydraulic drive requires standard industrial hydraulic maintenance (fluid changes, filter replacement) without the specialized drive electronics and ballscrew care demanded by servo-electric machines. The control system is typically Beckhoff TwinCAT-based with a touchscreen interface, which is standard industrial automation hardware that local service technicians can support without specialized CNC training. Programming is accomplished via DXF import and standard G-code, compatible with common sheet metal CAD/CAM packages.

New EKO 200 machines are priced in the $80,000 to $130,000 range, making them among the most affordable CNC punch presses available from a European manufacturer with full CE compliance and professional-grade construction. This price point puts CNC punching capability within reach for small shops that previously could only justify manual punch presses or outsourced punching operations. The EKO 200 competes directly with similar-capacity entry-level machines from Asian manufacturers at roughly comparable prices but with German engineering standards and European support infrastructure.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Punching Force	200 kN (22.5 tons)
Working Area	2,000 x 1,000 mm (79 x 39 in)
Max Stroke Rate	200 strokes/min
Max Sheet Thickness Steel	5 mm (0.197 in) mild steel
Max Sheet Thickness Stainless	3 mm (0.118 in) stainless steel
Max Sheet Thickness Aluminum	6 mm (0.236 in) aluminum
Tool Stations	12 (linear rail, automatic selection)
Tool Type	Single-head, linear tool rail
Positioning Accuracy	±0.1 mm
Traverse Speed	50 m/min
Drive Type	Hydraulic
CNC Control	Beckhoff TwinCAT with touchscreen
Machine Weight	Approx. 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Most affordable CNC punch press from a European manufacturer with professional CE-certified construction — approximately one-third the cost of entry-level Amada or Trumpf machines
Compact footprint with 6,500 kg machine weight requires no special foundation — suitable for standard industrial floor slabs in small shops
Beckhoff TwinCAT control is standard industrial automation hardware supported by a wide base of automation technicians without specialized CNC training
Hydraulic drive simplicity means straightforward maintenance with readily available consumables — no servo drive electronics or ballscrew lubrication systems to maintain
DXF import and G-code programming compatibility with standard sheet metal CAD/CAM packages avoids proprietary programming software costs

Limitations

12 tool stations is the most significant operational limitation — complex parts requiring more than 12 tool diameters demand manual tool changes between operations
200 strokes/min is roughly half the speed of mid-range servo-electric punches and one-fifth of high-speed production punches — not suitable for volume production
2,000 x 1,000 mm working area is smaller than the 2,500 x 1,250 mm standard accommodated by most competing machines, limiting sheet size handling

Best For

Small fabrication shops and metalworking workshops entering CNC punching for the first time with limited capital budget Prototyping and design departments needing in-house CNC punching capability for sheet metal development without production throughput requirements Electrical panel shops and enclosure fabricators producing moderate volumes of standard enclosure components within the 2,000 x 1,000 mm sheet size envelope Training environments and vocational schools requiring a functional industrial CNC punch press at an accessible price point

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the Boschert EKO 200 compare to the Boschert Compact?

The EKO 200 is smaller than the Boschert Compact in both working area (2,000 x 1,000 mm vs 2,500 x 1,250 mm) and machine weight. Both use hydraulic drives and linear tool rail systems. The EKO 200 is priced lower ($80,000-$130,000 vs $100,000-$180,000) and is targeted at smaller workshops and lighter-duty applications. The Compact handles larger sheets and slightly heavier gauge work, while the EKO 200 suits shops with smaller footprint requirements and lighter production volumes.

02 Can the EKO 200 punch stainless steel?

Yes, up to 3 mm stainless steel (Type 304). Stainless requires high-quality punch and die clearances (approximately 15-20% of material thickness per side), sharp tooling, and appropriate punch speed — the EKO 200's hydraulic drive provides adequate control for stainless punching at this thickness. For stainless steel above 3 mm or high-volume stainless production, a higher-force machine with servo-electric drive is more appropriate.

03 What CAM software works with the EKO 200?

The EKO 200 accepts DXF files and standard G-code, which is compatible with most sheet metal CAD/CAM packages including Radan, Metalix cnckad, ProNest, and SigmaNEST. Boschert also supplies their own basic nesting and programming software with the machine. The Beckhoff TwinCAT control platform has a standard machine interface accessible via the touchscreen or a connected PC.

04 Is Boschert service available outside Germany?

Boschert operates primarily through European distributors with limited direct presence in North America. Remote support from the Freiburg headquarters is available for control and diagnostic issues. The simple hydraulic-mechanical design means most local industrial machine tool service companies can perform routine maintenance and repairs without factory training. Major mechanical issues may require parts supply from Germany, with typical lead times of 1-3 weeks.

05 What is the typical payback period for a Boschert EKO 200?

For a small shop currently outsourcing CNC punching at $0.50-$1.50 per hole (including setup), the EKO 200's $80,000-$130,000 purchase price amortizes rapidly if the machine runs regularly. Even at modest utilization (100 hours per month), in-house punching costs typically drop to $0.05-$0.15 per hole in tooling and consumables once labor is accounted for. Payback periods of 18-36 months are common for shops with consistent punching requirements.