Everything You Need to Know About the Tube Laser

January 26, 2022

Tube laser offers a high degree of precision. Find out everything you need to know about the process to get started in this guide.

Did you know that laser tube cutting processes are not just used for mechanical engineering projects? The technology is versatile and can be used within multiple industries such as electronics and technology, automotive, aerospace industries, and even furniture building. You may be wondering what a tube laser actually is and how it’s different from traditional lasers.

Additionally, many people take interest in how it's used in manufacturing. These are a few of the questions that we’re going to answer. We'll provide an overview of tube lasers and discuss their benefits over traditional lasers.

We will also discuss some of the applications for which tube lasers are best suited and what you can expect when using them in your work environment.

So if you're looking to learn more about this innovative technology, read on.

What Is a Tube Laser, and What Are Its Key Features?

You may already know that laser cutting is now a common manufacturing process that's used throughout the world. It’s the process, as well as the technique that’s used to cut tubes, shapes in different structures, or channels. Laser tube cutting also possesses the capability of cutting out holes or specific designs within the tubing.

Overall, this cutting technique offers a high-quality level of advanced precision. Tube lasers have several unique features that make them different from traditional lasers. Some key benefits of using laser tube cutting include;

  • Fast and precise operations with the capability to process large tubes with quick turnaround times
  • High accuracy and can produce complex shapes in a simple way
  • No need for pre-treatment or post-treatment processes like welding, grinding or polishing

What Are Its Benefits Over Other Types of Lasers?

Tube laser cutting works by directing a high-powered laser beam at the object that needs to be cut. This beam is then focused on the material and cuts through it with great precision. The advantage of using a tube laser over traditional methods is that there's no need for secondary operations like grinding or polishing once the cut has been made.

Additionally, since the tube remains in one piece after being cut, there's no need for any additional post-processing.

What About Industry Usage?

Tube lasers have a range of applications in both industrial and commercial settings. For industrial applications, tube lasers are often used in these settings for tasks like welding, marking, and cutting. They're especially well-suited for applications that require a high degree of precision.

Within commercial applications, tube lasers can also be used for purposes such as fabricating signs or producing components for consumer electronics. They offer a high level of accuracy and speed, making them ideal for these types of tasks.

Tube lasers are now being used in several industries. Let’s take a look at some industry applications to get a better idea of versatility.

Electronics and Technology

In this industry, tube lasers can cut small, precise parts. The machine is often used for sheet metal fabricating and creating intricate designs. Additionally, the lack of secondary operations means that parts can be assembled with ease and in a quick way without having to worry about inaccuracies.

Automotive

Tube lasers are often used in the automotive industry to cut tubes and brackets made from stainless steel or aluminum. They're also common to see when producing exhaust systems.

Aerospace Industries

These lasers are essential for cutting through aircraft tubing and other lightweight materials. they're also capable of cutting through composites and other advanced materials that are commonly used in aircrafts and spacecrafts.

Furniture Manufacturing

Furniture builders use tube lasers to cut through wood and plastic tubes quickly and easily. This allows them to create complex designs and shapes that wouldn't be possible with traditional methods.

Medical devices

Tube lasers are often used in the medical device industry to create intricate tubing and components from materials like titanium and stainless steel.

Laser Categories

Three types of lasers are typically used in manufacturing. They are solid-state, gas discharge, and fiber. Let’s take a look at these lasers and how they're used within the industry.

Solid-State Lasers

These lasers use a crystalline rod to create light. The rod is then pumped with energy, which causes it to lase. The main difference about this type of laser is that it uses solids as a medium.

Gas Discharge Lasers

These lasers use gas to create light. An electric current is then discharged through the gas which causes it to emit photons. This type of laser uses the gaseous state that it produces as its medium.

Fiber Lasers

These lasers use fiber optics to transmit the laser beam. This type of laser is often used for high-power applications. The active medium for this type of laser is in its name, fiber.

What to Know About Finding the Best Laser for Your Needs

As an engineer, metalwork professional, or supplier, one of your most common tasks may involve using or working with lasers in some way or another. Whether it's welding, cutting, general machine shop operations, or measuring something with precision accuracy; lasers are often an essential part of different manufacturing processes.

So it's important to know how to find the best laser for your needs. Knowing what to consider, can help to ensure you get the solution best made to implement your project. Some factors that need to be considered include;

  • Wavelength
  • Power output
  • Beam quality

Once these factors have been determined, then it’s possible to begin researching specific lasers that meet those requirements. It is important to consider both price and performance when making a purchase decision as well. Finally, don't forget to take into account any additional features that may be beneficial for the application.

Talking to one of our tube laser cutting experts about what would be appropriate for your work could be beneficial and save you time.

What to Expect When Using a Tube Laser

If you're looking to use a tube laser in your work environment, there are a few things you want to remember. It's important to select the right type of laser for your needs and All Metals Fabricating is the perfect solution to personalizing your operation techniques.

Once you've selected the right laser, you can expect fast, accurate, and high-quality results. Tube lasers offer an efficient way to cut through a variety of materials, and they require very little post-processing. This makes them a popular choice for many industries.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to streamline your manufacturing process, click here.