Steel Tube Lasers
Another thing to consider is the modular design of the fiber laser. These modules are small enough to be carried in a briefcase and allow for redundancy. The resonator does not completely shut off if one module fails. The fiber laser acts redundantly in that it can produce more power temporarily in order to support the damaged module until repairs can take place. (This can, by the way can be done on the field). Other times, the fiber-resonator can continue producing lower power until repairs can take place. A CO2 resonator issue can lead to the complete resonator being down.
Micrometric Ltd uses its versatile Coherent StarCut tubes laser cutting machine in order to produce speedy and precise medical and aerospace products.
StarFeed can be used as an automated loader/unloader to the StarCut Tube laser cutting machine. It comes in two sizes, S and L. The StarFeed allows you to fully automate dry and wet cutting for tubes of any diameter from 1-20mm. StarFeed L can store 48 tubes and allows processing of oval tubing. Its sensor-controlled gripping unit avoids damage. The result is a substantial increase in productivity.
You might have noticed that cutting speed has not been discussed yet. While it is possible for a tube to be cut at up to 500 inches per min, that is not always possible. Laser tube cutting requires that you focus on the time it takes to load a tube and index it in order to cut. Laser tube cutters are slow and take a lot of time to process parts.
Learn how the Coherent StarCut Tube and StarFiber laser-powered cutting machines helped NPX Medical gain a competitive edge in stent manufacturing and more.
We offer a tube extension for loading tube stock up to 80", or 6'8". Note that the maximum part size remains 52"
How can you compensate? Traditionally, you would touch the contact points by coming down. Next, rotate the tube and touch the opposite side. This will give the control an indication about how bent the tube may be. This can be used to ensure that through-holes fit the application. Be aware that this reduces your ability to deliver very precise tolerances every time the tube rotates.
Another thing to remember is that traditional methods of checking for twists and bows in the tube may take as long as five to seven seconds before cutting begins. You have to compromise accuracy for productivity with traditional touch sensing. This can be frustrating, especially in this age of fiber laser cutting. However, working with tube is much more difficult than working with sheet metal.
The most productive solution for tubes of any section. Tubes up to Ø 6" (152.4 mm)2D cutCO2 or fiber laser
It is important to remember that traditional ways of checking for twists and bows can take up five or seven seconds, before cutting can begin. Touch sensing can only be used for precision. It can seem that this is all a lot, but it's not the same as working with sheetmetal.
Lasertube systems allow you to create or improve new applications, allowing you to enter new industries and increase profit margins.
Sheet laser cutting offers many possibilities and complexity in material loading and unloading automation. Tube laser cutting systems have only recently been available with tube storage systems that allow for automatic handling of tubes and sectionbars and unmanned production changes.
You can eliminate secondary operations. A tube laser is able to cut a piece and add holes, or any other cutout design in one step. The ability to control tolerances on more complicated fabrications is gained. To ensure parts fit together in a single way, you can use one continuous piece. We can tube laser-cut aluminum, stainless and carbon.
Many of Gulf States Saw & Machinery Co., Inc.’s tube laser-cutting system integrate intelligent functions such as monitoring, setting up, and cutting. These automated functions increase machine efficiency and ease-of-use. The wide range of capabilities offered by Gulf States Saw & Machinery Co., Inc.’s tube and pipeline lasers make these machines suitable for many industries and a variety if applications.