Fiber Laser Tube Cutter Machine Buying Guidance
Why a Proper Laser Tube Cutter is Crucial?
The birth of the laser tube cutting machine has brought opportunities for the emerge of tube profiling. This precision and technology that cannot be achieved by traditional methods are highly favored by fabricators. The technology has been developing rapidly in recent years, and various products have come out in an endless stream, but there must be many doubts about how to choose a laser tube cutting machine, such as:
- Different models for various tube shapes, diameters, feeding method, machine structure
- Different machines from different factories with different prices
Before buying a laser tube cutter, a comprehensive knowledge can save your time and money.
How to Choose a Correct Fiber Laser Tube Cutter Machine?
Selecting the ideal fiber laser tube cutter machine is crucial for optimizing production efficiency and product quality. This guide will help you make an informed decision by outlining key factors to consider.
Understanding Your Needs
The best machine is not necessarily the most expensive, but it must be the most suitable for you. This word is also workable when comparing pipe cutter, pipe cutting saw machine, torch pipe cutter, plasma tube cutter and laser tube cutter, please see another post What Can I Use To Cut A Metal Pipe. Remember, the goal is not just to purchase a machine but to invest in a solution that will drive your business forward in the competitive landscape of precision cutting.
Based on your tube cutting demand and budget, from lower budget $20,000 to adequate budget you can choose from simple and economical models to standard model, semi-automatic model and full automatic model.
Simple fiber laser tube cutter keeps the simplicity of machine, you can still enjoy the efficiency of tube cutting, save costs by manual loading and unloading. It’s good for those who prefer lower cost but better than CNC plasma tube cutting.
Standard fiber laser tube cutter machine utilizes horizontal structure design, which is excellent in precision tube cutting.
Semi-automatic laser tube cutter machine manually load tubes onto feeding rails, and feeding rails can pass them to chucks, balances between automation and cost.
Automatic laser tube cutter machine is integrated with automatic loading & unloading systems and multiple chucks (3 or 4 chucks), tube storage for preloading, it can help to reduce heavy manual works, improve efficiency and accuracy.
Tube Specifications: Length, Thickness, Shapes, and Diameter
The specifications of the tubes you plan to cut will significantly influence your machine choice:
- Tube Length: Ensure the machine can accommodate the length of the tubes you typically work with. Mos common is 6 meters, 9 metres or 12 meters.
- Tube Wall Thickness: Heavier tubes require machines with greater power and stability.
- Tube Shapes: Machines should be capable of handling various shapes like round, square, rectangular, oval, angle steel, U shape, and H beam. Some shapes need different controller, such as angle steel, U shape and H beam.
- Tube Diameter: Verify that the machine supports the range of diameters you need. The chuck stoke can be 120mm, 160mm, 220mm, 360mm, or even bigger, regular is 220mm, some big chucks have to be customized, and its price will be higher.
Machine Body Structure
The structure of the machine body is a key factor in determining the precision and convenience of your operations:
- Side-Rail Structure: Suitable for fast and convenient loading, making it ideal for high-speed operations.
- Horizontal Structure: Provides high precision, especially for heavy pipes.
The machine body can be welded by different methods:
- Heavy Steel Plate Welded Body: Designed for heavy-duty and precision tube cutting, ensuring stability during intense operations.
- Steel Tube Welded Body: A more cost-effective option, still offering decent performance for less demanding tasks.
Machine Parts Configuration
The performance of your fiber laser tube cutter machine is heavily influenced by its parts. Key components to consider include:
- Laser Generator:
- IPG: More expensive but highly stable, suitable for high-end operations.
- Raycus and Maxphotonics: More cost-effective while still offering reliable performance.
- Cutting Head:
- H Beam: Requires a specialized slim cutting head for precise cuts.
- 3D 5 Axes Cutting: LT head can achieve complex cutting tasks.
- Regular Tubes: Boci, Raytools, WSX, Ospri or EC are reliable options. (Some Chinese factories have their own branded heads), Precitec, Coherent, LaserMech and other heads are also applicable, depending on price.
- Software:
- Cypcut Tube Cutting Series: Most commonly used and user-friendly.
- Other Options: Siemens, PA, Weihong or some customized system. If your engineer is more familiar with Siemens or other interface, choose the similar one for faster learning, otherwise, Cypcut can be a good choice because its wide-spreading market share and easy-to-learn interface.
- Chuck Configuration:
- Two Chucks, Three Chucks, or Four Chucks: Depending on your need for stability and cutting precision. More chucks can bring more precision and stability, but also comes with higher prices.
- Pneumatic or Electric Driven: Choose based on your production requirements and machine compatibility.
Additional Features
To enhance the functionality and efficiency of your machine, consider these optional features:
Auto-Follow Support: Ensures consistent cutting height and stability, especially for long range cutting or heavy tube cutting.
Zero Tailing Function: Minimizes material waste by reducing tail length.
Bevel Cutting Function: Essential for creating angled edges on tubes, easy for post-treatment of welding.
Exhaust Filter: Helps maintain a clean working environment by filtering out fumes and dust.
Conclusion
Choosing the right fiber laser tube cutter machine involves considering a range of factors from budget to specific cutting needs. By carefully evaluating your options, including machine structure, parts configuration, and additional features, you can select a machine that offers the precision, efficiency, and reliability required for your tube cutting operations.
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