Building a Fiber Metal Tube Laser Cutter from Scratch
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Building a Fiber Metal Tube Laser Cutter from Scratch?No Problem!

Sky Fire Laser offers comprehensive solutions for DIY enthusiasts of laser metal sheet cutters, and we provide equally detailed guidance and support for DIY laser tube cutters. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, we're here to help you find the right setup to bring your ideas to life.
 

What’s Needed for a DIY Fiber Laser Tube Cutter?

Building a complete fiber laser tube cutting machine requires several essential components. At Sky Fire Laser, we offer a detailed Checklist for Assembling a Fiber Laser Tube Cutting Machine to guide you every step of the way. This checklist covers all the necessary materials and design plans, which can be tailored to meet your specific needs. When you purchase parts from us, you’ll receive full after-sales support and online assistance. Additionally, we provide paid on-site technical services to ensure the success of your project.

Key Components

In the provided checklist, some materials are highlighted in red as essential for building your DIY laser cutter. These include:

You can select these components from our website according to your budget. We also offer cost-effective recommended combinations for various power levels as a reference to help you make the best choice.

Configuration Recommendation

Double Pneumatic Chuck Configuration (6-370 mm in Diameter) , Suitable for Most Commercial Fiber Laser Tube Cutter Configuration

High Configuration

  • Applicable Tube Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, Angle Steel, I-beam, Channel Steel, etc.
  • Cutting Head(3D version): BLT3 Series (for up to 3kW) or BLT4 Series (for up to 6kW)
  • Laser Source: Choose from Raycus, Max, or BWT
  • Cutting Software: FSCUT3000S 
  • Chiller:S&A

Cost-effective Configuration

  • Applicable Tube Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, Angle Steel, I-beam, Channel Steel, etc.
  • Cutting Head(3D version): BM110, BM111, BM06K, BS06K
  • Laser Source: Choose from RaycusMax, or BWT
  • Cutting Software: XC4000 T2
  • Chiller:S&A

Single Pneumatic Chuck Configuration (6-90 mm in Diameter), Simplest and Most Convenient Configuration

High Configuration

  • Applicable Tube Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, Angle Steel, I-beam, Channel Steel, etc.
  • Cutting Head(3D version): BLT3 Series (for up to 3kW) or BLT4 Series (for up to 6kW)
  • Laser Source: Choose from RaycusMax, or BWT
  • Cutting Software: FSCUT3000DE
  • Chiller:S&A

Cost-effective Configuration

  • Applicable Tube Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, Angle Steel, I-beam, Channel Steel, etc.
  • Cutting Head(3D version): BM110, BM111
  • Laser Source: Choose from RaycusMax, or BWT
  • Cutting Software: XC4000 T2 
  • Chiller:S&A

Front Manual Chuck and Rear Pneumatic Chuck Configuration (10-130mm in Diameter), Most Cost-effective Configuration

High Configuration

  • Applicable Tube Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, Angle Steel, I-beam, Channel Steel, etc.
  • Cutting Head(3D version): BLT3 Series (for up to 3kW) or BLT4 Series (for up to 6kW)
  • Laser Source: Choose from RaycusMax, or BWT
  • Cutting Software: FSCUT3000S
  • Chiller:S&A 

Cost-effective Configuration

  • Applicable Tube Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, Angle Steel, I-beam, Channel Steel, etc.
  • Cutting Head(3D version): BM110, BM111
  • Laser Source: Choose from RaycusMax, or BWT
  • Cutting Software: XC4000 T2
  • Chiller:S&A

Front and Rear Manual Double Chucks Configuration - Garage DIY Projects Configuration (10-95 mm Clamping Diameter)

Performance Parameters

  • Front Chuck Clamping Range: 10-95 mm
  • Rear Chuck Vise Clamping Range: 0-26 mm (can accommodate up to 95 mm tube with custom jaws)

Input Method, Gearbox Model, and Motor Power

  • Front Chuck:
    • Shaft Input: 19 mm
    • Gear Ratio: 10:1
    • Recommended Motor: 80 mm frame, 750W AC servo motor
  • Rear Chuck:
    • Shaft Input: 14 mm
    • Gear Ratio: 10:1
    • Recommended Motor: 60 mm frame, 400W AC servo motor

High Configuration

  • Applicable Tube Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, etc.
  • Cutting Head(3D version):  BLT3 Series (for up to 3kW) or BLT4 Series (for up to 6kW)
  • Laser Source: Choose from  RaycusMax, or BWT
  • Cutting Software: FSCUT3000S
  • Chiller:S&A 

Cost-effective Configuration

  • Applicable Tube Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, etc.
  • Cutting Head(3D version): BM110, BM111
  • Laser Source: Choose from  RaycusMax, or BWT
  • Cutting Software:  XC4000 T2
  • Chiller:S&A

Note: 

  1. Size Limitation: Due to the size limitation of the rear chuck caused by the barrel, users who need to process large steel materials or profiles must select the corresponding jaws. For smaller profiles, the standard jaws are sufficient and do not require additional selection.
  2. FSCUT3000 Series Overview: Because there are many variations of the FSCUT3000 series, we have summarized the features in a table that you can download to view the functions of each version.

 

Essential Systems

Auxiliary Gas Control System

  • Importance: Laser cutting requires auxiliary gases such as oxygen, air, and nitrogen. An auxiliary gas control system enhances the usability of your DIY equipment.
  • Details: We have created a detailed DIY Auxiliary Gas Control System Checklist (as shown below) and offer a package purchase option for all materials in the list. You can download the checklist PDF from our website.

    Item

    Details

    Note

    Specification

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Gas Control system

    Low Pressure Proportional Valve

    SMC

    ITV2050-312L

    Solenoid Valve

    Low Pressure Oxygen

    VX220LA

    High Pressure Nitrogen

    VX232RAXH

    Air Tube

    High Pressure Nitrogen Tube (Nitrogen)

    M10

    Low Pressure Oxygen Tube (Oxygen)

    M10

    Check Valve

    Low Pressure Check Valve (Oxygen)

     

    High Pressure Check Valve (Nitrogen)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Gas Connection Accessories

    Quick Twist Straight Connector

    2/8-Φ10

    Five-way Stopper

    1/4

    Iron Tee

    1/4

    SMC Elbow Connector

    2/8-Φ10

    SMC Straight Connector

    2/8-Φ10

    Straight Through

    2/8

    Serial Plate Connector

    Φ10-Φ10

    T-type Three-way Quick Twist

    φ10

    Straight Through (repeated entry)

    Φ10-Φ10

    Wrapping Tape

     

    4-core Mini Aviation Plug (Proportional Valve)

     

     

    Z-Axis Slide Table

    • Importance: The cutting head of a laser cutting machine requires height adjustment through a following system. A smooth slide table is necessary to connect our cutting head to your Z-axis, ensuring smooth cutting operations.
    • Details: We offer a slide table selection that meets DIY equipment standards. Purchase this slide table and pair it with a 400W motor and drive system to achieve perfect control of the cutting head on your DIY equipment.

    Servo Pack (Servo Motor + Servo Drive)

    • Importance:
      For a typical DIY fiber metal tube laser cutter, precise control of the cutting head and accurate movement along all axes are essential. Servo motors provide powerful driving force, enabling all mechanical transmission components to move in designated directions through the control software. The servo packs we recommend are from well-established domestic and international brands, widely used by many laser cutting machine manufacturers, so you can purchase with confidence.

      Details:
      We recommend using servo packs for optimal performance in DIY fiber metal tube laser cutters. Specifically:

      1. X-axis: One set of servo packs is ideal.
      2. Y-axis: As the primary movement axis, one set of servo packs ensures precise synchronization.
      3. Z-axis: One set of servo packs with a brake-equipped servo motor effectively manages the cutting head's weight in case of a power failure.
      4. R-axis: For dual-chuck cutting machines, the R-axis requires two sets of servo packs for rotating the tubes.

      Compared to laser metal sheet cutting machines, tube cutting machines utilize more servo motors and drives due to the added complexity and load. We offer servo packs from Yaskawa, Inovance, and Leadshine, with prices decreasing in that order.

      Auxiliary Systems

      Air Compressor

      Here is the information regarding the air compressor for a DIY fiber metal tube laser cutter project:

      • Exhaust Volume: The exhaust volume should be 1.3 cubic meters per minute (1.3 Nm³/min).
      • Outlet Pressure: The outlet pressure should be fixed at 1.55 MPa.
      • Air Pipe Specifications:
        • Inner Diameter: 8mm
        • Outer Diameter: 10mm
        • Pressure Rating: The air pipe should withstand a pressure of no less than 2.0 MPa.
      • Gas Cleanliness Requirements: Ensure the gas is clean, free of oil, and free of water.

      Alternative Gas Options:
      If you choose not to use an air compressor, bottled nitrogen or oxygen can be used for cutting. Here are the settings for each gas:

      • Nitrogen (N2): Set the pressure between 1.2 MPa and 2.0 MPa.
      • Oxygen (O2): Set the pressure at 0.8 MPa, as the SMC proportional valve we provide has a pressure limit of 0.8 MPa.

        Voltage Stabilizer

        A voltage stabilizer is a crucial component in any DIY fiber metal tube laser cutter project. Its primary role is to provide a consistent and stable voltage supply to the equipment, which is important for several reasons:

        • Protecting the Laser Source: The laser source is the most expensive and sensitive component in a laser cutter. Voltage fluctuations can cause serious damage, reducing its efficiency and lifespan. A voltage stabilizer ensures a steady voltage, safeguarding the laser source from these issues.

        • Enhancing Performance: Stable voltage contributes to the overall performance and precision of the laser tube cutting machine. Fluctuations in power can lead to inconsistent cutting quality, resulting in uneven or incomplete cuts.

        • Extending Equipment Lifespan: All electronic components within the laser cutter benefit from a stable voltage supply, reducing wear and tear and extending the machine’s operational life, while also lowering repair and replacement frequency.

        • Ensuring Safety: Voltage fluctuations can create dangerous situations, such as overheating or short circuits. A voltage stabilizer helps mitigate these risks, ensuring safer operation of your DIY laser tube cutting machine.

        Laser Consumables Package (Annual Consumption)

        We’ve compiled a recommended list of consumables for a year’s use with laser cutting heads. This list includes protection lenses, nozzles, ceramic bodies, sensing cables, lens cleaning materials, laser protection goggles, collimation lenses, focus lenses, and rubber seal O-rings. Our goal is to make it easy and convenient for DIY fiber metal tube laser cutter enthusiasts to maintain their machines effortlessly. You can download the comprehensive Annual Consumables List to have everything you need in one place.

        Additional Materials

        Beyond the recommended materials, you can purchase other items in the checklist according to your specific needs. We are always ready to provide valuable assistance.

          Comprehensive Support

          Any components purchased from us come with:

          • After-Sales Support: Ensuring your project is a success, we provide extensive after-sales support for all parts.
          • Online Assistance: Get help whenever you need it with our reliable online support.
          • Paid On-Site Technical Services: For those needing extra help, we offer paid on-site technical services to assist you in setting up and fine-tuning your machine.

          We wish you success with your DIY laser cutting project and look forward to starting this great project together! For more detailed information and to explore our product collection, please visit our official website.

          Conclusion

          Creating your own DIY fiber metal tube laser cutter can be a highly rewarding experience, giving you a powerful tool customized to meet your specific requirements. With Sky Fire Laser's comprehensive guide and essential components, you’re fully equipped to embark on this exciting project. From critical parts like the laser source and cutting head to key systems like the auxiliary gas control and Z-axis slide table, we provide everything you need to succeed. Let’s start this amazing project together and achieve remarkable results

          For more detailed information, please Contact Us or leave a comment .

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