The BLM Group has announced the release of the LT5, an entry level automated laser tube cutter designed to handle small and medium-sized tubes.

It uses a 1 kW IPG fiber laser to process mild steel as well as highly reflective materials such as aluminum, copper, and brass.

The fiber laser provides improvement in energy efficiency when compared to the more traditional CO2 laser, and can reduce hourly operating costs by up to 50 per cent.

The LT5 handles round tubes ranging from 0.5-5-in. (12-120 mm) square tubes from 0.5 x 0.5-in. to 4 x 4-in. (12 x 12 mm to 100 x 100 mm) and rectangular and oval tubes in the 0.4 x 0.5-in. to 5 x 2.75-in. (10 x 12 mm to 120 x 70 mm) range. It accepts tube lengths of 126-256-in. (3200-6500 mm).

The length of each tube is automatically measured during the preloading phase, permitting the machine control to optimize nesting and minimize scrap. Tube is supported and guided during each phase of the process to ensure accuracy of the cut and to protect the tube surface from scratches.

Unloading can be programmed to occur either on at the front or rear of the machine, and different types of pieces can be automatically collected in separate containers placed in the unloading area. In addition, an optional conveyor can be installed at the rear to unload short-length cut pieces or to collect scrap and end pieces.

The entire process is driven by Artube CAD/CAM software for laser tube cutting, a package that permits direct import of three dimensional CAD data, part simulation, cycle time generation, and advanced off-line nesting, all helping to reduce set-up time and scrap.

www.blmgroup.com