With the maturity and rapid development of laser technology, it has begun to be widely applied in various industries. Laser cutting technology has evolved from sheet metal cutting to tube cutting. The birth and application of professional laser tube cutting machines have greatly improved the processing efficiency of metal tubes. This article mainly analyzes the advantages of professional laser tube cutting machines, as well as the classification and characteristics of mainstream professional laser tube cutting machines currently on the market, and looks forward to the development trends of professional laser tube cutting machines.

Advantages of Professional Laser Tube Cutting Machines

The cutting principle of the laser tube cutting machine is not significantly different from that of a flat laser cutting machine. As a specialized laser cutting machine, the laser tube cutting machine primarily targets standard metal tubes (round, rectangular, elliptical, etc.), profiles (channel steel, angle iron, etc.), and some non-standard tubes for laser cutting. Compared to traditional processing techniques, its advantages lie in the following aspects: (1) High cutting accuracy, with contour accuracy reaching ±0.05mm. (2) Smooth切口, free of burrs, thin kerf, and minimal material waste. (3) Non-contact processing, with a very small heat-affected zone in laser cutting, almost no deformation. (4) High cutting efficiency, enabling mass production. (5) Good flexibility, utilizing professional CNC systems and nesting programming software, allowing for product changes or replacements at any time.

Professional laser tube cutting machines can replace the processing operations of various equipment and hard tools required for different metal tube materials, such as mechanical drilling, milling, sawing, stamping, or deburring. They achieve the cutting, chamfering, slotting, or hole-making, as well as other possible dimensions and shape features for complex tube structures. They are widely applicable in industries such as sheet metal processing, kitchenware, lighting, automotive, medical devices, hardware, and fitness equipment.

Classification and Characteristics of Professional Laser Tube Cutting Machines

As China's production and consumption of metal tubes surge, laser tube cutting machines are rapidly gaining popularity here. Currently, the market is filled with various types of laser tube cutting machines, which can be roughly divided into two categories based on the tube material's axial feeding method.

Material Cutting Type Laser Tube Cutting Machine

These laser tube cutting machines process tubes of fixed lengths, predominantly used for shaping the contours of tubes with varying cross-sections but constant axes, as the ends of the tubes cannot be cut. Despite the significant limitations and low production efficiency of fixed-length cutting laser tube cutting machines, their specificity still secures a considerable market share. Figure 1 shows decorative patterns machined on the surface of a lamp post and lampshade using a fixed-length cutting laser tube cutting machine.

Operation Principle

As shown in Figure 2, the material-fed laser tube cutting machine secures the tube with two clamping chucks, which rotate synchronously around the tube's axis. The laser head feeds axially and radially along the tube for cutting.

Material feeding and cutting laser tube cutting machine

This type of laser tube cutting machine is primarily used for processing coaxial tubes of the same cross-section. Not only can it machine various contour shapes on the tube surface, but it can also cut to the desired length of tube components within the machine's design travel range. Compared to fixed-length cutting laser tube cutting machines, it offers greater flexibility and scalability, as well as higher cutting efficiency. It currently occupies the majority of the professional laser tube cutting machine market.

As shown in Figure 3, the feeding and cutting laser tube cutting machine is capable of processing various profiles of standard metal tubes, such as square and round tubes, in bulk quantities, and can also perform cutting.

Operation Principle

As shown in Figure 4, the laser cutting machine chuck holds the tube material, supporting the chuck to fix the tube radially. All chucks rotate synchronously around the tube material axis. The chuck holds the tube material for axial feeding, while the laser head feeds radially to perform the cutting. Currently, on the market, feeding and cutting laser tube cutting machines primarily use two chucks. Although they offer high cost-effectiveness, their shortcomings are also quite evident.

(1) Poor cutting precision stability exists, especially for long parts or tubes with low inherent rigidity. Due to the combined effects of gravity-induced deformation and the centrifugal force from the chuck rotation, even with the addition of servo roller or contour wheel support, it is challenging to ensure the stability of cutting precision. (2) Tail stock waste occurs, even if the laser head can cut through the support chuck, the clamping end of the chuck still cannot cut, resulting in material waste.

In response to these deficiencies, some equipment manufacturers have expanded the design of two-turret feeding and cutting laser tube cutting machines to create multi-turret laser tube cutting machines, as shown in Figure 5. Specifically, (1) an additional set of support turrets ensures that tubes of a certain length are virtually unaffected by gravitational deformation and the centrifugal force of the turrets' rotation, effectively guaranteeing the stability of cutting precision. Moreover, within the machine tool's travel range, the cutting length of parts is not restricted. (2) An additional set of gripping turrets is used for collecting materials. When the feeding gripping turrets are at their extreme position, the collecting gripping turrets hold the tube material for an axial feeding movement, ensuring almost all tube material is cut with minimal waste.

The aforementioned design can completely address the shortcomings of the double-turret feeding cutting laser tube cutting machine, but the increased costs for the chuck, servo axes, and CNC system, among others, also explain why the multi-turret feeding cutting laser tube cutting machine has not become a mainstream trend.

Trends in the Development of Professional Laser Cutting Tube Machines

High precision, high efficiency

The increasing demand for future piping materials, coupled with higher processing requirements, necessitates the improvement of processing accuracy and production efficiency as essential factors for the rapid development of professional laser cutting pipe machines.

Modular

User needs evolve over time, and modular design allows for timely addition or replacement of relevant functional components to meet user requirements, thus maximizing mutual benefits.

Automation

Many users have already equipped their facilities with automatic loading and unloading units. The advancement of automation effectively liberates labor and alleviates the issue of labor shortages for businesses.

Smartification

With the widespread adoption of the "Industry 4.0" concept and the maturity of 5G technology, the future laser tube cutting machines will undoubtedly achieve full automation. This will encompass information collection, order placement, material feeding, loading, tube recognition, length measurement, automatic program calling for cutting, unloading, stacking, and shipping, ultimately achieving intelligence.