Plasma/Laser Tubing Cutter

[humanzee99]

Does anyone have experience with a box tubing/pipe cutter? I'd prefer laser but plasma is ok for price. The majority of the shops work is cutting box tubing and pipe for guardrails and handrails. I would hope to save 2 days or more on cutting material for a project that currently takes 5 days. We have all the parts drawings in Tekla. If the machine could import what is on Tekla that would also really speed things up.

Being able to import and modify the cut files is almost as important as purchasing the machine itself.

I've seen the Trumpf TruLaser Tube 5000 on auction. I have no idea what I would be getting into with a used machine. I know their repair parts on ebay are very expensive.

Plasma tables with pipe cutting add-ons are also ok.

Thank you to anyone with experience

[Deezl Smoke]

For guard rails and hand rails, plasma is plenty fine.
Whether or not you need a dedicated machine vs. a table depends on the length of the material you need to work with. IMO.
If you're just coping the ends, a table might be just fine and would have better versatility. But you are then piercing the tube for verticals etc. I'd look for something with a very positive drive indexing head.
If your coping is always at 90 degree, and any piercing is also at 90, you might consider punching. An iron worker or any hydraulic press with the proper attachments can cope ends and with a mandrel die can punch holes throughout the tube.
I have no idea what Tekla is, so the crew here will have to help you with that part.

[adbuch]

If you could show us some photos of the kind of parts/processes you are doing, it would be helpful for us to better understand exactly what you might need. I also have never heard of Tekla files. I found this doing a search.

"Is Tekla better than AutoCAD?
Both Tekla Structures and AutoCAD for steel detailing have their merits, but Tekla clearly shines in the realm of steel detailing. Its advanced modeling capabilities, user-friendly interface, and collaborative features make it the preferred choice for professionals seeking accuracy and efficiency in their projects."

I would assume that this software can export as dxf for import to other programs.

David

[humanzee99]

https://scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.co ... sid=7a9f4b

https://scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.co ... sid=7a9f4b

https://fiverr-res.cloudinary.com/image ... ing_ejemkj

[humanzee99]

In the first photo notice the guardrails and all the 1.5" box tubing parts. Normally there are 3/4" pickets instead of the mesh panels.

Then there are all the pieces of pipe for a handrail project.

The last image is an example I found of an assembly drawing for a guardrail. Normally these assembly drawings have a list on the top right listing every part's dimension and type. There is a further parts drawing list that has all the material in a packet.

[humanzee99]

Imagine hundreds of parts drawings such as the one below.

[humanzee99]

Here's a better example of an "assembly"

[Tautog13]

You may want to look at JD2 (JD Squared) rotary tubing cutters. (XR6 & XR12)
I seem to recall a video where Bob Hughes (owner) talks about their proprietary software translating Tekla files really well.

EDIT:
Found JD2 video that mentions Tekla @ ~3:04 min. mark

https://youtu.be/Y5tLJdRjHjA?si=5gseFwnrVoa5_Z3u

[PlasmaDon]

The very common Fangling controllers offer a tube cutter config. if you wanted to roll your own dedicated machine.

[Deezl Smoke]

Here's a better example of an "assembly"

This is very standard stuff. I cut the mounting plates for these type rails all the time. Unless you are looking for weld ready beveled cuts, a cnc saw and a jigging fixture is where I'd be looking to invest. But I usually miss something, so....
Here are a couple "just for example" videos.
CNC saw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1vCjpwzhWM
Jigging fixture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rj0aQBBtZ0

[humanzee99]

Thank you Tautog13 for suggesting the JD2 cutters.

The JD2 XR12 looks interesting. This machine would help us process the stringers, whether they are c12 or 10x2 box tubing. I have spent a few hours watching videos on the JD2 cutters and it accepts .stp files that we can get from our detailers.

I have also noticed the Bend Tech Dragon A400. Not sure what is better, a fixed cutting point or a moving gantry.

Either of these machines would help with all the pipe and tubing we have to process for handrails and eliminate a dedicated coping machine.

If it's a guardrail made out of 1.5" bt then I believe either machine will process all the unique cuts quickly and we can bundle all the pickets on the bandsaw like we normally do.

There are laser machines out there for $40K-50K but I have not been able to learn anything than general specifics.