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Different ways to cut tubes with lasers

Different ways to cut pipes with lasers

Tubes can be cut using lasers in a variety of ways, whether for large quantities, small batches or prototypes. Tube laser cutting has proven to be a cost-effective option. Are you in the process of project development? If so, have a professional help you think about its application early on. Depending on the end product, the most appropriate approach to laser cutting tubes can be determined. For more insight into the most appropriate method for specific projects, you can read on here. We're going to talk about the different methods of tube laser cutting, and the options available to you. Read on!

2.5D laser cutting

In 2.5D laser cutting, an angled cut of exactly 90 degrees is made. In this process, all cuts are made perpendicular to the surface of the tube, while the tube or sleeve is placed under the laser cutting head and rotated simultaneously. During this machining process, the laser uses a uniform material thickness to ensure a consistent and accurate cut.

3D laser cutting

3D tube laser cutting is a technique that uses lasers to cut through tubes. The laser can move at different angles up to 45 degrees. This makes it possible to make angled cuts on the side of the tube. This is useful because it creates accurate beveled surfaces. These angled surfaces are very useful for various things, such as joining tubes in corner structures, making cutouts in tubes, or creating recessed holes. Thanks to this ability to cut at different angles, complicated and specific designs can be created while laser cutting tubes. This opens doors to more complex and precise designs that were previously difficult to achieve.

XY cutting

In XY tube laser cutting, the laser head accurately follows the shape of the hole to be cut. In this process, the tube itself remains stationary, and only the laser head moves along the X and Y axes of the tube. This ensures that the cut is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, as if you were drilling a hole in the tube. This technique is sometimes called "cylindrical cutting" and is similar to the idea of drilling a hole. This method is known for its great precision. It is especially useful when you want to cut the tube all the way around. The result is consistent and very precise.

Designs for laser cutting

If you plan to have tubes and profiles cut with lasers, the doors are open to unlimited design freedom. This technology opens a wide range of options for fabricating different shapes, such as tubes, pipes, angle and U-profiles. Let's take a look at the extensive options available when laser cutting these geometric shapes.

Angle cut

In laser cutting, the tube or sleeve rotates under the laser head, creating a cut that is at an exact angle to the wall of the tube. This ensures that the laser cuts evenly through the material. This method is useful for various applications, such as making holes and cutouts in round tubes, creating beveled edges at the ends of a product, and making holes and cutouts in the curves of a square tube.

Radius tubular profiles

With square tubes, it is smart to avoid holes that are too close to the corners. This is because the laser always cuts straight through the wall. If you cut into the corner, the tube may rotate. It is better to choose a place for the holes where this problem does not occur and where the rigidity of the tube is maintained. That way you will get the best and most long-lasting results.

Ratio of hole to wall thickness

When determining how large holes and cutouts should be, it is important to make sure they are no smaller than the thickness of the material. Although it is possible to make small cutouts, they take more effort during cutting. Moreover, they are more expensive than larger holes. So it is necessary to think carefully about how difficult the operation is and how much money it costs.

XY Mode

For very precise making of perfectly round holes, even for cuts perpendicular to the wall thickness, the XY mode is a great choice. In this, the laser head moves in a circular path around the desired hole. This ensures a hole that always looks the same and is drilled cleanly. It is important to note, however, that with XY holes, the size of the hole should not be more than half the diameter of the round pipe. This is to ensure that the hole is very precise and produces the best results.

Straight or special contour

With products that have straight ends, you can often make a single cut to get multiple items. But if the ends have beveled corners (called miters), you have to take into account the different angles created by the cut being perpendicular to the material. For such products with angled corners, you also need additional material, which can affect the overall cost of the products. It is important to think carefully about the balance between how the product should look and how much it will cost.

Residual by trapping

When fixing the tube for machining, some of the material can usually be lost due to the length required for fixing. You can also choose to cut a piece off at the beginning of the long piece of material and then cut the rest of the material precisely for the products. But in the last piece of the last product, you may not make any more cutouts in the last 20 centimeters. Also, the last product will not be perfectly cut and you may see small damages from how it was clamped.

Engraving for identification

Engraving is a means of applying text or lines for purposes such as identification or positioning. But it's good to understand that engraved markings are not very noticeable, and after the surface is treated, they sometimes can't be very noticeable. So if you choose engraving, it's smart to think about what you're going to use it for and what might happen to the surface later. After all, you want to be sure that the mark will stay the way you want it to, even after further treatments.

Cutting of open profiles and weld seam detection

Laser cutting machines can machine shapes such as U-shaped, L-shaped and C-shaped pieces of metal. If there is a weld seam that you can easily see, the machine can adjust the cutting pattern based on where that weld is located. It is very important to make sure that this weld seam is easily visible. This allows the machine to cut very precisely. If the weld is clearly visible, it helps to make the cutting process and the final result accurate.

The versatility of tube laser cutting

Lasers are used to cut tubes in different ways: straight, angled and very precisely. This helps in making complicated shapes. You have to consider things like where you cut holes and how thick the tube is. You also need to make sure that welds are clearly visible for accurate cutting. You can also engrave words or lines on the tube, but pay attention to whether that lasts. In short, lasers make it possible to create smart designs and cut products precisely.

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