Any job shop will have to offer a variety of options. This is also true for tube laser operators. It is not uncommon to see parts of different sizes coming from the same tube. It must be capable of loading laser-cut parts up to 2 in. The machine must be able to unload laser-cut parts as small as 2 in. and as long at 15 ft. one after another. It must also be capable of unloading those parts without damaging the rest. This is especially important for soft metals such aluminum.
The fully-automatic solution that guarantees maximum productivity and fast production changes.Tube Ø Range min. 0.47" (12 mm) - max. 6" (152.4 mm)3D cutting modeFiber laser
The CO2 solution is for large diameter tubes, and profiles. Tubes with a diameter of O 14/24" (355mm /610mm).3D laser cutting
The very nature of a tube prevents the need for a machine with a very high-powered laser. Whereas flat sheet laser cutting machines now are available with laser generators as powerful as 12 kW, tube laser cutting machines usually only require a maximum of 5 kW of power. With a tube, you always have to think about the opposite side of the tube you are cutting. A more powerful laser simply would blow through the other side of the tube during cutting. (Of course, if you are processing a beam or a channel on the tube laser you don’t have to worry about another side.)
StarCut Tube SL, a turnkey machine, includes an fs laser. It is perfect for laser cutting complex shapes like thrombectomy stent retrievers.
Tube and sheet metal cutting by a combined laser system. Tubes up O 4.72", 120 mm. Sheets up 236". x 79". (6000mm x 2000mm).Fiber Laser
Variety is the reality of any job shop, and the same goes for those that operate a tube laser. It’s not unusual to see parts of various sizes come from one tube. The machine must be able to unload laser-cut parts that may be as small as 2 in. and as long as 15 ft., one right after the other. It also must be able to unload those parts without damaging them, which can be a challenge with softer metals such as aluminum.
Laser cutting machines can cut sheets of metal in seconds. It's possible to do the exact same thing with a laser tube-cutting machine, but that's another story.
Get exactly the right solution to your specific laser fabrication needs while delivering process quality and efficiency to metal and non-metal fabricating.
See how NIT uses a Coherent laser cutting machine for vertical manufacturing of nitinol and other metal components with exceptional precision and edge quality.
PowerLine C is a CO2 laser-based system for precision drilling, cutting and scribing of many non-metals including glass and organic materials.
Take a glimpse into our StarCut Tube lab and production area and find out more about these fully-automated, multi-axis CNC machines for tubes and flat materials, including medical devices such as catheter shafts, stents, hypotubes, PTCA devices, TAVR, etc.
PowerLine C are CO2 laser-based systems for precision drilling, cutting, scribing, marking, and engraving of many non-metals, including glass, organic materials.
You may have noticed that we haven’t discussed cutting speed yet. It is possible to cut up to 500 inches per minute on a tube, but that’s not always realistic. In laser tube cutting, the real focus should be on how long it takes to load a tube, index it so it’s in the right position for cutting, pierce and cut it, and unload the part. It’s more about part-processing time with laser tube cutting machines, not cutting speed.
Laser cutting pipe is the best way to achieve repeatable and precise cutting in applications where the precision of the cut itself is important.
Laser tube cutting is a method and technique for cutting tubes, structural shapes, or channels. These items will be cut to the required length during the process. It can also make holes or designs in tubing. It is a precise cutting method.
from 3 months to 3 years
Glass CO2 laser tubes all degrade over time, with lifespans ranging from 3 months to 3 years. With use, the CO2 inside the tube degrades into carbon monoxide and oxygen. Overdriving the tube only accelerates this process and shortens its working life.