At McKiney Manufacturing, we get a lot of questions about laser tube cutting—and for good reason. It’s a powerful tool that can simplify production, speed up processes, and improve part quality. Whether you’re new to the technology or just need a quick refresher, we’ve put together this easy-to-read guide with answers to the most common questions we hear from customers.
Can you laser-cut a tube?
Yes, laser cutting technology can absolutely be used to cut metal tubing. A tube laser feeds the material through a rotating chuck while a laser beam precisely cuts the metal as it moves. This allows for extremely accurate and repeatable cuts.
What is a tube laser?
A tube laser is a type of laser cutting machine designed specifically to cut tubular and structural materials. While laser cutting has long been used for flat sheets, tube lasers are a newer advancement that bring high-precision cutting to round, square, rectangular, and custom-shaped tubing.
The machine uses a focused laser beam to melt or vaporize material along a programmed path. A computer-guided motion system controls both the movement of the laser head and the tube, allowing for highly accurate and consistent cuts—even on complex geometries.
How does fiber laser tube cutting work?
Fiber laser tube cutting uses a high-powered laser beam, often guided by mirrors or fiber optics, to rapidly heat and melt the surface of the tube. A high-pressure assist gas (such as oxygen or nitrogen) then blows away the molten material to create the cut. This process results in clean edges, precise dimensions, and minimal heat distortion.
Learn more about how laser tube cutting works.
What kind of material shapes do tube lasers cut?
Tube lasers can cut a wide range of shapes—not just tubes. They handle round, square, rectangular, and oval tubing with ease, but also cut structural shapes like channel, angle iron, beams (like H-Beams, P-Beams, I-beams, etc.), and custom extrusions.
What kind of material types do tube lasers cut?
Fiber laser tube cutting machines can cut steel, stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, brass, copper, and more.
How big of shapes can tube lasers cut?
Tube lasers come in various sizes. Some are built to handle tubes as large as 16–18 inches in diameter, while others are more compact and designed for materials up to 2 inches. Most shops choose a mid-range machine that cuts tube sizes from about 1 to 8 inches in diameter.
What is the tolerance of tube laser cutting?
Tube laser cutting offers excellent precision. Most machines maintain tolerances around ±0.010 inches (0.25mm). While not quite as tight as flat laser cutting, which can reach ±0.005 inches, this level of accuracy is more than sufficient for most fabrication applications.
How does a tube laser differ from a flat laser?
While both types of fiber laser cutting machines use similar cutting principles, tube lasers are specifically built to process long, structural shapes. Flat lasers can sometimes be modified to cut tubes, but they are slower, limited in size, and usually cut in only two dimensions.
Tube lasers can:
- Cut 3D shapes using 4- or 5-axis motion
- Automatically feed full-length tube (up to 24 feet or more)
- Cut faster and more efficiently with minimal manual handling
- Create weld-ready parts by cutting chamfers and complex joints
Flat lasers, in contrast, are limited by bed size and only cut in X and Y directions.
Can a tube laser cut a flat bar?
Yes. At McKiney Manufacturing, our 3kW CNC laser tube cutting machine can process a wide variety of shapes, including flat bar, angle iron, and channel.
What are normal lead times for tube laser cutting?
Thanks to automated loading and high-speed cutting, lead times are typically much shorter than with traditional methods. While the exact timing depends on shop workload, project complexity, and volume, many jobs can be completed in just a few days. Have a specific project in mind? Send us your specs and we’ll provide a more specific timeline.
How do I get a quote on tube laser cutting?
At McKiney Manufacturing, you can request a quote in just a few clicks! Reach out to us and let us know how we can help. Our estimating team will review your message and provide a quote as soon as they can.
Why choose McKiney Manufacturing for tube laser cutting services?
Located in Mitchell, Nebraska, McKiney Manufacturing has been serving businesses in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and beyond since 1974. Our fiber laser tube cutting services help customers streamline production, reduce costs, and achieve high-precision results on every project.
Whether you need a prototype or consistent, high-volume parts, our expert team is here to help your business grow. Contact us today!
