American Manufacturing is committed to innovation, leveraging the latest technology and automation to improve both product quality and production efficiency. In March, we introduced the Trumpf TruLaser Tube 7000 into our lineup, further expanding our automated capabilities. This advancement positions us among the first in the industry to offer fully automated, end-to-end material handling and part production from raw stock to finished components all under one roof.

What is a Tube Laser?

A tube laser is a powerful cutting machine for processing 3D materials such as square or rectangular tubes, pipes, angle iron, bar stock, or I-beam. The cradle at the back of the tube laser has a 12,000lb capacity, enabling it to run multiple bundles simultaneously without the need to stop and reload. Our tube laser is able to handle up to 30 feet of raw material and outload parts up to 20 feet. Tube lasers make it much more efficient to process non-flat parts than traditional fabrication methods like plasma or saw cutting.

The tube laser requires minimal setup before processing a large volume of parts. Once the materials are loaded into the cradle and the profile is uploaded to the system, the laser automates the entire process from pulling the material up into the chuck to sorting different-sized parts to different conveyor belts on the infeed. These belts then move the parts away from the tube laser to either be picked up by an operator or automatically conveyed into a WIP bin.

Advantages of a Tube Laser vs. Traditional Parts Fabrication

Compared to traditional methods like plasma cutting and saw cutting, a tube laser increases efficiency by hundreds of percent. Using a singular cutting head that can handle all manner of secondary processes saves significant time that would normally be spent on die setups for punching and slotting or saw setups for mitering. The part doesn’t need any additional work after it is cut by the laser; it is a fully finished part ready for welding.

Tube lasers create a much smoother edge for welding, creating an even more sleek end product in a fraction of the time.

Industries that Benefit from Tube Laser Capabilities

There are many potential applications for tube lasers, and we cannot wait to explore all the possibilities with this new member of the American Manufacturing machine family! We are already utilizing the tube laser for our automotive partners, but we can foresee it being useful in virtually any industry that requires 3D parts.

One key application of the tube laser is in the piping industry, or any industry that requires pipes. With a tube laser, holes can be easily and cleanly cut into pipes for a weld friendly fit. Our tube laser has a rotating head that is perfect for beveling ends to help ensure a more airtight and watertight seal when welding.

The tube laser works well with a variety of materials, including food-grade stainless steel. This means it can be used to build parts for the food and beverage industries, processing parts for tables, prep stations, and more. Tube lasers are even used for agricultural machinery since they can process tubes with thick walls.

Faster, Better Quality Parts with American Manufacturing

Most manufacturers making use of tube lasers are those who are exclusively focused on parts manufacturing without welding. American Manufacturing is one of the few in our field now using a tube laser for processing 3D materials instead of outsourcing it or only using traditional fabrication methods. By integrating this new technology into our workforce, we can provide better end products to our customers with significantly faster production times.

Contact us to find out how our tube laser and other innovative technologies can help your business!