Tube laser cutting cuts round, square and rectangular tubes and open sections with a laser head while the tube turns in a rotating chuck. In one pass it cuts the length, end shapes, holes, slots and notches that would otherwise need sawing, drilling and milling. Parts come out accurate and ready for bending or welding, which saves fixtures and fitting time.
Quick facts
- Shapes
- Round, square and rectangular tube, angles, channels, oval tube
- Typical diameter
- About 12–220 mm (0.472–8.66 inch); larger on big machines
- Wall thickness
- About 0.8–8 mm (0.0315–0.315 inch) in steel, less in stainless and aluminium
- Bar length
- Usually 6 m feed; 8–12 m on some machines
- Accuracy
- About ±0.1–0.2 mm (±0.0039–0.0079 inch) on holes and features
- Usually priced
- Per part, from cutting time and material
What it can cut
- Straight and mitred ends for welded frames
- Fish-mouth (saddle) ends where one tube meets another
- Holes, slots and windows on any face
- Tab-and-slot features so parts lock together before welding
- Bending notches so a tube can be folded into a frame
- Part numbers and bend lines marked with the laser
Tube laser or saw and drill?
| Tube laser | Saw, drill and mill | |
|---|---|---|
| Setups | One, from a 3D file | Several machines and fixtures |
| Hole position accuracy | High and repeatable | Depends on marking and fixtures |
| Complex end shapes | Easy | Slow or not possible |
| Very small quantities | Programming time adds cost | Often cheaper |
What to send the cutter
- 3D model (STEP) of each tube part, or a drawing with all features
- Tube size, wall thickness, grade and finish
- Quantity per part
- Whether you supply the tubes
- Tolerance on length and hole positions
- Deburring or cleaning needed after cutting
Need tube laser cutting done?
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Questions
- What file does a tube laser need?
- A 3D model, usually STEP, of each tube part. The machine's software unfolds the cuts onto the tube. A dimensioned drawing works too, but takes longer to program.
- Can a tube laser cut stainless and aluminium?
- Yes. Fibre tube lasers cut mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and copper tubes, with lower maximum wall thickness for the reflective metals.
- Is tube laser cutting worth it for small batches?
- Often yes when the parts have many holes or shaped ends, because it replaces several operations. For plain straight cuts in small numbers, sawing is usually cheaper.
The figures on this page are typical values for guidance, written by Diemeco from standard engineering practice. They are not a specification: confirm grades and properties with the relevant standard or the supplier's mill test certificate, and tolerances with your workshop. Last checked 22 October 2026.