Laser Tube Cutting Services for North Carolina
High Quality North Carolina Laser Tube Cutting for metal and non-metal tube and pipe of various geometries.
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Your North Carolina Laser Tube Cutting Service
Laser tube cutting is the process by which tube stock material is selectively cut to form various shapes, holes, designs, and/or channels using a controllable precision laser. The stock material (tube/pipe) is held in a controllable lathe, where the tube will rotate in line with the design specifications as the laser makes cuts. Laser tube cutting can create through-holes of any shape as small as the wall thickness of the material, and is also often used to cut channels that allow for easy bending and welding of the tube for angled tubing.
Xometry offers an extensive range of laser tube cutting services on both metal and non-metal materials (plastics, specialty materials, etc.). Laser types utilized include fiber laser or CO2 lasers depending upon the material and application, allowing for very tight tolerances (plus or minus 0.005” or less) and the ability to cut through wall thicknesses up to 3/16 “. Using Xometry’s online quote engine, it is simple to start a quote for your next laser tube cutting project.
Our project managers and experts personally review and manually quote each laser tube cutting project to ensure we meet your unique needs while providing a fast and easy manufacturing experience.
Types of Laser Tube Cutters Available in North Carolina
The main types of laser tube cutting machines vary based on application and laser type. Combination tube/flat sheet laser cutters are one of the most common machines used for laser tube cutting, but are generally used for smaller jobs and are multipurpose machines (i.e. they can also cut flat sheet parts). Self-contained laser tube cutters are dedicated tube cutting systems that are only specified for tube cutting applications, where they can work with nearly any tube shape (round, rectangular, octagonal, etc.) in long stock lengths (3+ feet or more).
Laser tube cutters can use fiber lasers or CO2 lasers based on the needs of a project. Fiber lasers are compatible with a variety of materials and are generally considered the most versatile laser type, while C02 lasers are designed to be an upgrade from plasma cutters, and are best for niche materials such as titanium due to their enhanced gas coverage over fiber lasers. Both laser types offer comparable power levels. In either case, both cutting processes are well suited for metal fabrication and can eliminate the need for secondary operations.
Lasers are specified based on their wattage, where a higher wattage offers deeper and more sustained cuts. Laser tube cutters are also specified based on the size of material they can handle (max sheet/tube size, max material weight), the assist gas required (nitrogen, CO2, etc,) the motor electrical requirements (3-phase VAC, etc.), repeatability, and other model-specific criteria. Some laser tube cutters come with built-in conveyors or stock handling machinery which automatically feeds the tube into the cutting portion of the system, providing semi-to-fully automated operation.
Wall Thickness
Generally speaking, all laser tube cutting services with Xometry can achieve standard cuts up to 3/16”; however, deeper cuts up to ⅝” can be achieved using a WAC (water-assisted cutting) system alongside the laser tube cutter. Kerf sizes vary based on the specific material, laser type, laser power, and operation parameters, but are overall much thinner than traditional cutting methods, reducing material waste.
For laser tube cutters that offer cut head angles (i.e., 5-axis laser tube cutters), note that angled cuts will change the effective wall thickness of the tube, so it is important to choose a tubing thickness that will not exceed maximum wall thickness when angled.
See the quick list of wall thickness parameters below for laser tube cutting services:
- Standard machines can cut to 3/16”
- WAC systems can achieve up to ⅝” in depth
- Angled cuts will influence wall thickness
Structural Shapes / Profiles
It is essential to note the difference between pipe and tubing when discussing structural shapes; pipe is measured in schedule (i.e., ½’ schedule 80 pipe, useful in standardized applications) while tube is measured by its wall thickness (i.e., outer diameter + inner diameter). In either case, laser tube cutting systems typically have settings for both measurement standards and offer custom setups for unique or non-standard structural shapes.
Xometry can provide laser pipe cutting on tube and pipe profiles including:
- Rectangular tube
- Round tube
- Square tube
- Square tube with a radius corner
Laser Tube Cutting Services near North Carolina
