5-Axis Laser Cutting Explained: TCP Heads for Beams and 3D Parts
A 5-axis laser adds two rotary axes to the usual X, Y and Z, so the head can tilt and turn while it cuts. On structural steel that means weld bevels, copes around the flanges and holes in the web and both flanges in one setup, with TCP control keeping the focus on the line.
At a glance
- Five axes: X, Y, Z plus two rotary axes on the head.
- PCL H-beam head: A axis 360°, C axis 180°, bevels to ±45°.
- TCP control keeps the focus on the line while the head tilts.
- Needed for bevels and cutting several faces without turning the beam.
On this page
What the five axes are
| Axis | Movement | On the PCL H-beam laser |
|---|---|---|
| X | Along the bed | Gantry travel over the 12 m beam |
| Y | Across the bed | Head moves across the section |
| Z | Up and down | Height to the flange or web surface |
| A | Rotary axis of the head | 360° |
| C | Rotary axis of the head | 180° |
A 3-axis machine can only cut straight down. With the two rotary axes the head can point at the work from any side, which is what lets one machine cut the web, both flanges and the bevels of a beam without turning it over.
Tool centre point (TCP) control
When the head tilts, the nozzle tip would swing away from the cutting line unless the linear axes move to compensate. TCP control does that calculation continuously, so the focus stays on the line and the cutting speed at the steel stays constant while the angle changes. Without it, bevel angles drift and corners round off. The details for beams are in TCP in H-beam laser cutting.
What 5-axis cutting makes possible
- Weld bevels at any angle up to ±45° in V, Y and K form. See beam bevel cutting.
- Cutting around the section: web, inside and outside of both flanges, and the fillet area, in one setup.
- Copes and weld access holes with a smooth radius and no start-stop notch. See weld access holes and beam coping.
- Square holes in tapered flanges, by tilting the head to the flange surface.
3-axis and 5-axis compared
| 3-axis laser | 5-axis laser | |
|---|---|---|
| Cut direction | Straight down only | Any angle up to ±45° |
| Weld bevels | No | V, Y, K |
| Faces reached in one setup | The face under the head | Web and both flanges |
| Tapered flanges | Holes cut at an angle | Head follows the surface |
| Typical use | Flat plate, simple profiles | Structural sections, formed parts |
Types of 5-axis laser machines
- Gantry beam laser: a gantry over a long bed for H-beams, channels and angles up to 12 m. This is the PCL H-beam laser cutting machine.
- Tube laser with bevel head: a chuck-fed machine for round and square tube. See the 5-axis tube laser.
- 3D laser for formed parts: trims pressed and hot-stamped parts. See the 5-axis 3D laser cutting machine.
- Robot laser: a 6-axis robot carrying the laser head for complex 3D shapes. See the 3D robot laser cutting machine.
Questions
What is 5-axis laser cutting?
It is laser cutting with three linear axes (X, Y, Z) and two rotary axes that tilt and turn the head. The rotary axes let the laser cut at an angle and reach several faces of a part without moving it.
What does TCP mean in laser cutting?
Tool centre point. It is the control function that keeps the focus on the cutting line while the head tilts, by moving the linear axes to compensate for the rotation.
Is 5-axis cutting slower than 3-axis?
Straight square cuts run at the same speed. Bevels are slower because the beam passes through more steel at an angle: about 1.41 times the thickness at 45 degrees.
Do I need 5 axes to cut H-beams?
For square cuts and holes on one face, no. For weld bevels, copes around the flanges and cutting the web and both flanges in one setup, yes.
What rotation does the PCL head have?
The A axis rotates 360 degrees and the C axis 180 degrees, with bevels up to plus or minus 45 degrees.
Machine specifications and power options: H-beam laser cutting machine. Section dimensions: steel beam size chart.