Tube laser cutting – digital cutting for efficient plant construction
Technological advance
in prefabrication
In modern pipe installation, the quality of prefabrication is the decisive factor for cost-effectiveness on the construction site. STW replaces classic, time-consuming sawing and drilling processes with high-precision tube laser cutting. We manufacture complex tube geometries, frame structures, and support systems fully automatically directly from the CAD data set. The result is burr- and chip-free, clean components that allow for immediate further processing without manual rework.
Advantages of tube laser cutting
Optimized weld preparation
The tube laser provides technically perfect preparation for the welding process. While saw cuts often exhibit irregular edges due to worn saw blades or internal stresses in the material, which the welder must compensate for, laser cutting guarantees a precise fit. This significantly reduces heat input into the component, minimizes distortion, and ensures a more uniform, visually flawless seam. This precise edge quality is particularly essential for hygienic constructions, where gaps and dead spaces must be avoided.
Constructive freedom: Round tube frames & plug-in systems
The laser enables connection types that would be hardly economical using conventional methods. We can achieve complex penetrations and miter cuts in a single pass.
- Plug-in systems: Laser-cut pins and grooves allow pipes to be fixed in place like a construction kit. This prevents twisting before welding and eliminates the need for complex welding jigs or measuring work.
- Hygienic round tube frames: In the food industry, round tube racks (often made of 1.4404 stainless steel) are increasingly in demand due to their improved cleanability and the absence of flat surfaces that trap dust. The tube laser cuts the necessary radius cutouts for T-joints so precisely that the time-consuming manual notching, chamfering, or milling processes are completely eliminated.
Logistics & Traceability on the Construction Site
An often underestimated factor in large projects is the chaos of different parts. Our system engraves position numbers, batch codes, or component names directly onto the material. This permanent marking withstands transport and significantly simplifies on-site identification. The installer doesn't have to measure whether they're holding a 500 mm or 505 mm pipe – they simply read the marking. This eliminates mix-ups and considerably speeds up the assembly of pipe bridges and substructures.
Technical Specifications & Materials
We process profiles that are standard in demanding apparatus and stage construction. Our focus is strictly on stainless steel to prevent ferrite contamination from processing carbon steel in the same hall.
material grades
As standard, we process 1.4301 (V2A) for racks and supports and 1.4404 (V4A) for product-contacting lines or aggressive environments.
dimensions
Machining of round tubes and hollow profiles up to a diameter of 254 millimeters.
wall thicknesses
Precise cuts up to approximately 6 millimeters material thickness – ideal for frame and rack construction as well as static substructures.
Geometries
Round tubes, square and rectangular tubes
Request a free initial consultation now!
Process chain: From CAD to component
1.Data import
We import your STEP, DWG, or DXF files directly. Our nesting software optimizes the arrangement of parts on the raw material to minimize waste and thus automatically optimizes your costs.
2.Automated cutting
The machine performs separation, contour and round hole cutting in a single, continuous operation, thus replacing additional separate operations such as drilling or milling.
3.Labeling
Engravings for identification or assembly aid are applied without changing tools.
4.output
The parts are sorted and (since they are oil- and chip-free) packaged directly or sent to the welding shop.
Get advice now!
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Tube Laser Cutting
Tube laser cutting is significantly faster and more precise than sawing. It enables complex contour cuts and replaces drilling in a single operation, whereas sawing often requires subsequent steps such as drilling, milling, or deburring. Furthermore, the laser produces chip-free and oil-free components, simplifying cleaning before welding.
Yes, STW integrates positioning aids such as pins, grooves, or codes directly into the cutting edge (plug-in systems). These "poka-yoke" solutions prevent assembly errors, as the components only fit together in the correct position, and drastically reduce the effort required for clamping devices and manual measuring and alignment during welding.
We specialize in processing stainless steel, particularly grades 1.4301 and 1.4404. Our machines cut round tubes and profiles up to a diameter of 254 millimeters and a wall thickness of approximately 6 millimeters.
Yes, tube laser cutting is often worthwhile even for batch sizes as small as 1. Since no physical tools or templates need to be built and programming via CAD data is very fast, we are often cheaper than manual production, even for individual pieces, small series or spare parts.
Round tube frames offer no horizontal surfaces for dust and dirt to accumulate and allow liquids to drain away more effectively than square profiles. The tube laser makes the production of these frames economical, as it cuts the complex radius cutouts for the tube connections precisely and without manual effort.
