Automatic Tube Laser Cutting Machine with Bundle Loader
Auto feeding for round, square and rectangular tube, 6, 9 or 12 m
An LT series fiber laser tube cutter fitted with a chain loader or an automatic bundle loader. The loader separates one tube from the bundle, aligns it and hands it to the chuck while the previous tube is still cutting, so the laser keeps working with one operator looking after the cell instead of lifting every tube.
- Free test cut on your tube
- 3-year machine warranty
- Installed in 80+ countries
- Factory direct since 2005
- Loading
- Chain or bundle
- Round tube
- Ø20-520 mm
- Length
- 6 / 9 / 12 m
- Laser
- 1.5-20 kW
- Repositioning
- ±0.03 mm
What is an automatic tube laser cutting machine?
An automatic tube laser cutting machine, also sold as an auto feeding tube laser cutting machine, a fully automatic laser tube cutting machine, an automatic laser tube cutting machine or an automatic laser pipe cutting machine, is a CNC tube laser cutting system with its own loading system, sometimes called an automatic feeding laser cutter. On a manual machine the laser waits while the operator lifts, aligns and clamps the next bar. On an automatic tube cutting machine that work is done by the loader during the cut, which matters most when parts are short, the job runs for hours and the same tube size repeats.
The cutting side is the LT series tube laser machine: self-centring chucks, a fiber laser source and a shape library for common cuts. This page covers what the loader adds.
How auto feeding works
- Bundle in. A crane or forklift sets a strapped bundle on the loader’s belt slings, or tubes are laid side by side on the chain conveyor.
- Separate. The bundle loader lifts and tilts the bundle so tubes roll out in a single layer, then a separating arm picks off one tube.
- Align. The tube is turned to the right orientation (square and rectangular tube flat side down) and set level with the chuck centre.
- Transfer. Lift arms raise the tube onto the supports and the rear chuck closes on it.
- Cut. The chucks feed and rotate the tube while the laser cuts each part to length with its holes, slots and end shape.
- Unload. Finished parts leave the cutting zone at the front of the machine, and the short remnant is dropped before the next tube arrives.
Steps 1 to 4 run while the previous tube is still cutting. The laser stops only for the chuck change-over, not for the whole loading cycle.
Chain loader or automatic bundle loader
PCL offers two pipe feeding devices for the LT series. Both sit beside the machine bed and pass tubes sideways onto the supports in front of the rear chuck.
| Chain loader | Automatic bundle loader | |
|---|---|---|
| How tubes go on | Laid on the chains by crane or by hand, several at a time | Whole strapped bundle set on the slings |
| Separating tubes | The chains carry tubes forward one by one | Done by the loader |
| Best for | Mixed sizes, open sections, frequent job changes | Long runs of round, square and rectangular tube |
| Operator | Refills the chains during the shift | Changes the bundle, empties part bins |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Get the price for your tube and volume
The price depends on the LT model, laser power, bed length and loader type. Send your tube range, lengths and monthly volume, and we reply with a configuration and quotation.
Manual loading or auto feeding?
Tube cutting automation pays back through laser hours: an automated tube cutting machine earns its loader when the laser would otherwise stand idle while tubes are lifted in by hand.
| Your work | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Long parts, few per tube, many different sizes | Manual loading: the LT series |
| Large or heavy sections, channel and H-beam | Manual or crane loading, or a chain loader |
| Short parts, many per tube, same size for hours | Bundle loader |
| Second or night shift with one person on the floor | Bundle loader |
| Mixed tube sizes, small batches, tight budget | Chain loader |
Laser cutting in place of sawing and drilling
Many tube shops still process tube on a sawing line, then drill, punch or mill holes on a second machine. An automatic tube laser does the work of that whole line: it cuts to length, makes the holes and slots, cuts notches for bending and shapes the tube ends for welding, all in one clamping. That removes the marking-out, the second set-up and the burr from sawing, and the program can be repeated next month without new jigs.
| Saw, then drill or punch | Automatic tube laser | |
|---|---|---|
| Cut to length | Saw | Laser, square or mitred |
| Holes and slots | Second machine, often with a jig | Same pass, any shape |
| Intersections and saddles | Milling or hand work | Same pass |
| Changing to a new part | New fixtures and stops | Load a new program |
| Loading | Bar feeder on the saw | Chain or bundle loader |
Specifications
- Base machine
- LT240, LT360 or LT520 tube laser
- Round tube
- Ø20-240 / 360 / 520 mm
- Square and rectangular tube
- up to 240, 360 or 520 mm
- Tube length
- 6 m, 9 m or 12 m, other lengths to order
- Loading
- chain loader or automatic bundle loader
- Laser power
- LT240 1.5-6 kW; LT360 and LT520 up to 12 kW, 20 kW on request
- Laser source
- Raycus, IPG or Max fiber laser
- Control
- CypCut, CypTube or FSCUT; built-in shape library
- Chucks
- self-centring pneumatic front and rear chucks; square standard, round optional
- Repositioning accuracy
- ±0.03 mm
- Warranty
- 3 years machine, 2 years laser source
Wall thickness by laser power and chuck sizes for each model are on the LT series page.
Automatic loading videos
Where auto feeding pays off
Furniture and fitness equipment
Thousands of identical frame tubes with slots and notches.
Automotive parts
Cross car beam tubes, seat frames and exhaust brackets in long batches.
Storage racks and shelving
Uprights and beams with repeating hole patterns.
Agricultural machinery
Frames and guards from square and rectangular tube.
Doors, railings and fencing
Standard tube sizes cut to length with fixing holes.
Subcontract tube cutting
Night shifts on repeat orders while day shifts change jobs.
Cutting samples
Before you order: what to send us
| Information | What it decides |
|---|---|
| Smallest and largest tube | The LT model and the loader range |
| Tube length as delivered | 6 m, 9 m or 12 m bed and loader length |
| Bundle weight and size | The loader frame and the crane you need |
| Thickest wall and material | Laser power |
| Parts per month and shifts | Chain loader or bundle loader |
| Part drawings or 3D files | Cycle time estimate and a test cut |
Why buy from PCL
Since 2005
Factory in Jinan, China.
80+ countries
Machines installed worldwide.
3-year warranty
Machine 3 years, laser source 2 years.
Free test cut
On your tube before you order.
On-site installation
Loader and machine set up together, with training.
Remote support
By WhatsApp and video.
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H-Beam Production LineFrequently asked questions
What is an automatic tube laser cutting machine?
A CNC fiber laser tube cutter with a loader that feeds tubes into the chucks by itself. Tubes are taken from a bundle or a chain conveyor, cut to length with all holes, slots and joints, and the next tube is loaded without the operator lifting it.
What is the difference between auto feeding and manual loading?
With manual loading the operator or a crane places every tube in the chucks. With auto feeding the loader separates one tube, lines it up and passes it to the chuck while the last tube is still being cut, so the laser stops only for a short change-over.
Chain loader or bundle loader?
A chain loader carries tubes laid on its chains one at a time to the machine; it suits mixed sizes and a lower budget. A bundle loader takes a whole strapped bundle, separates the tubes on its own and loads them one by one; it suits long runs of the same tube and unattended shifts.
Which tubes can be loaded automatically?
Round, square and rectangular tube are loaded from bundles. Channel, angle and other open sections are usually loaded by chain or by hand, because they nest into each other in a bundle.
What tube sizes and lengths does it take?
The cutting range follows the LT model: round tube Ø20-240, 360 or 520 mm and square tube up to the chuck size, on 6 m, 9 m or 12 m beds. The loader is matched to your tube range and length.
What laser power is available?
1.5-6 kW on the LT240, and up to 12 kW on the LT360 and LT520, with 20 kW on request. Wall thickness by power is listed on the LT series page.
Can it run at night without an operator?
With a bundle loader and enough tube in the bundle, yes: the machine loads, cuts and unloads on its own. Someone still needs to change bundles, empty the part bins and check the first part of each job.
Does it replace a sawing and drilling line?
For most tube parts, yes. Instead of sawing to length and then drilling or punching holes, the laser cuts the length, the holes, the slots and the end shape in one pass, so there is no second set-up and no hand marking.
How accurate is it?
Repositioning accuracy is ±0.03 mm, the same as the LT series it is built on.
Can a loader be added to a machine later?
Tell us the model and serial number. Whether a loader can be fitted later depends on the bed and the control, so we check before quoting.
What is the warranty?
3 years on the machine and 2 years on the laser source, with on-site installation, training and remote support.
How do I get a price?
Send your tube sizes, lengths, wall thickness and the number of parts per month. We reply with the model, laser power, loader type and a quotation, and can cut a sample on your tube.
Get a quote and a test cut
Send your tube sizes, lengths, wall thickness and parts per month. We recommend the model, laser power and loader and can cut a sample.
What happens next
- An engineer checks your sizes and parts.
- You receive the recommended configuration and a quotation.
- If you want, we cut a sample and send you the video.