A laser tube cutting machine is a highly advanced device that is used for the accurate cutting and shaping of metal tubes and pipes. These machines are great as they utilize a high-powered laser which increases speed, accuracy and flexibility making them useful in different sectors such as automotive, aerospace and construction or furniture making. For those looking forward to buying a laser tube cutting machine, the most important concern is purchasing the appropriate machine for their needs to get a good return on investment. It could be very overwhelming since the range of possibilities is vast. This article serves as an overview on step around the tube laser cutting machine selection process, presents ten rules that should make the process much more efficient for the customer.
Define your requirements
Once you’ve decided on laser tube cutting machines for sale or are looking for laser tube cutting machine prices for instance, stop and analyse your requirements. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Materials: What types of metals will you be processing? Will you primarily be working with steel, aluminum, stainless steel, or other alloys? The kind of material used as input in a metal fabricating process usually dictates the selection of laser source and cutting parameters as well.
- Tube Dimensions: What range of tube diameters and wall thicknesses will you be working with? You should verify the specifications of the laser tube cutting machine in some detail and ensure that it will suit your needs both in the present and in the foreseeable future. Some machines specialize in smaller tubes, while others are designed for larger diameters.
- Production Volume: How many tubes do you need to process per day, week or month? This will in turn set the required cutting speed and level of automation appropriate for your laser tube cutting machine.
Complexity of Cuts: Will you be performing simple straight cuts, or do your designs involve intricate shapes, bevels and holes? The features and capabilities of your tube laser cutting machine will be determined by the nature of your cuts and their complexity.
Budget: Determine a specific budget when planning to buy a laser tube cutting machine. There are great price variations depending upon laser power, cutting capacity and automation.
Considering these aspects may allow you to further is focusing on tube laser cutting machines that meet your preferences.
Select the Appropriate Laser Source
Laser tube cutting machines chiefly deploy one of the two laser sources which are the fiber lasers and CO2 lasers
- CO2 Lasers: For several decades, CO2 compressors have been the axiom in a myriad of industries due to their ability to cut different materials including non-metals. Nonetheless, CO2 lasers have low energy efficiency and have high maintenance service compared to fiber laser machines.
- Fiber lasers: the fiber laser machine displays the newer technology and its tube cutting machines has some benefits like. They have higher energy efficiency, durability and lower maintenance. In addition, fiber laser cutting machine tube systems have better heat management which allows them to cut at quicker speeds and greater accuracy particularly for thinner materials.
Currently for most applications, cutting steel pipes, fiber tube and other type of steel wells,cylinders and fiber laser tube cutting machine is the most efficient, precise, and cost effective solution. However, should you be cutting non-metals, CO2 laser would be the best recommendation.
Determine the Cutting Strength and Versatility
The laser cutting technology includes a laser tube machine which operates using an Integrated process of turning the laser beam into a powerful beam and delivering it over a tube, and the cutting strength means the size of the tube in which contains the thickness of the wall in extreme limits. It is important to make sure that the metal tube laser cutter you are purchasing is capable of cutting the complete diameter of the tubes while allowing room for growth in the future.
Laser tube cutting machines can either be dedicated to specific tube shapes or be used as a general tubes cutting. In case your production expects a large assortment of tube sizes and shapes, it is worthwhile to invest in a laser cutting machine tube with a broader scope including round, square and rectangular or oval tubes.
Determine Cutting Speed as well as Accuracy and Tolerances
Cutting speed and accuracy with which components are made are parameters that cannot be ignored especially if you are dealing with high volumes of production that has very high quality demands.
- Cutting speed: This is the speed at which the laser tube cutting machine moves and processes the material which is usually measured in meters per minute. The faster the cutting speed, the higher the productivity and the lower the turnaround cycle.
- Accuracy: This is understood in terms of how deep and how many cuts were made on the laser cutting machine metal tube, and this measuring point is usually in millimeters, and it greatly impacts the top notch and dimensional quality of the end product.
Your tube laser cutting machine should cut much faster but with accurate abilities to produce a cleaner cut to enhance your business operations and reduce wastage of material.
Employ Automation based Features
Automation is an integral part of improving the productivity and efficiency of tube laser cutting machines. You should look for a tube cutting laser machine that has the following automation characteristics:
- Automatic loading and unloading systems: These systems help to automatically load the tubes into the machine and take out the finished components, hence decreasing manual work, downtime, and increasing output.
- Automatic nesting software: This software presents the cutting pattern layouts of the tube such that the material is wasted or utilized more efficiently.
- CNC control: Computer Numerical Control (CNC) allows cuts to be made programmatically with precision thereby limiting the amount of operator interference in the process to a minimum.
This only means that you can enhance the efficiency of your tube laser cutting machine as well as your production process while cutting down on your expenses on labor.
Make Machine Execution and Stability a Priority
Knowing how a laser tube cutting machine works and delivers results even to the most ambitious specifications is extremely important. Please, pay attention to the cutting machine’s frame and motion parts in order to ensure that the cutting process will be still and free from excessive vibrations.
Furthermore, the tube laser cutting machine must utilize reliable laser beam delivery systems and cutting heads with the capacity to impart clean, reasonably accurate cuts while minimizing the heat-affected zones.
Software and Control System Evaluation
The software and control system are constituent components of every laser tube cutting machine. They are critical for the operate and general functionality and performance of the machine. It is advisable to select a laser tube cutting machine with a low learning curve as well as operational procedures that are easy to grasp even limited operators.
The control system should be capable of performing the following basic functions:
- CAD/CAM integration: Thanks to CAD/CAM software integration, designs from your design application can be imported without having violence on design guide or other necessary instructions.
- Parameter settings: Most times, the cutting rate, laser power, the speed at which the cut is made penetrating the material, and the type of gas assist required while cutting vary depending upon the material and thickness being used. Each of the cutting parameters should be easy to set.
- Diagnostic tools: Embedded diagnostic tools and functions enable performance checking, machine fault identification, and machine audience as well as prepare comprehensive strategies for reliable uptime.
Use the Laser Tube Cutting Machine Correctly And Advance Towards The Cutting Tube Laser Machine Price
The laser tube cutting machine price is a necessary consideration, but not the only one. Though consumers might feel tempted to pick the lowest price, remember that selecting a good brand to purchase a tube laser cutting machine will turn out to be cost effective in the long run because of efficiency, material waste, and lower maintenance costs over time.
As you analyze the prices of laser tube cutting machines, factor in how much value they offer compared to the price — when it comes to the features, capabilities, reliability, and the tools and parts support after the sale has been made.
Observe the Manufacturer
The next crucial step is to find a reputable manufacturer. Make a list of tube fiber laser cutting machine manufacturers who have a good reputation, whose machinery is dependable, and who have proved themselves in the ribbon-cutting industries.
Set the following expectations during the manufacturer research process:
- Experience: Should the manufacturer beam of how many years they are in the laser cutting business, a good number will be gained over the years exposing the company to good technology and support.
- Reputation: Vendors walk the talk, and it is always a matter of time before the company’s reputation is tested in the market. Look for online story reviews, independent site testimonials, and case studies.
- Customer support: Measure how satisfactory customer support is normally provided by the manufacturer along with the after-sales service; and, whether it is possible to always expect timely and knowledgeable answers from the support service when issues arise, in order to ensure that the machine has the highest possible operating time.
- Warranty: Consider the warranty demanded from the manufacturer. If their warranty is broad, it demonstrates to customers that the manufacturer is confident about the quality of its product.
Make Safety Your Priority
As with any other type of machinery, it is very important to maintain safety precautions while using laser tube cutting machines. Always choose a machine with the following safety features to be on the safer side.
- Enclosed cutting area: Cutting area that is fully enclosed will prevent operators from uninformed exposure to a laser beam.
- Safety interlocks: An interlock prevents the operation of a machine if the safety doors are open or other safety conditions are not met.
- Exhaust system: Ventilation prevents the accumulation of acid fumes or other dangerous gasses and particles produced during operation, ensuring a healthy working atmosphere.
Besides machine safety features, there should be operators who have undergone training on safe operating procedures of the machines and are using the correct personal protective equipment.
Conclusion
The selection of any laser tube cutting machine is one of the most crucial decisions that has a strong bearing on the productivity, efficiency and indeed the profitability of the business. It is possible to choose a tube laser cutting machine that suits the specific, financial and future requirements after going through these ten tips.
As you do that, always keep in mind parameters like the laser source, cutting capacity, speed and accuracy, automation and control, software, pricing, reputation of the manufacturer and safety features.
A quality laser tube cutting machining can eliminates wastage, increases product’s quality, optimizes the production cycle and cuts business costs. This ultimately gives the business a competitive advantage.
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