Tube Laser Process

Paperless Parts has an interrogation module for tube laser processes. This module analyzes a 3D part file and extracts useful attributes for pricing including dimensions, cut length, pierce count, and cross section type. A diagram defining the dimensions of each compatible tube cross section can be found in our Tube Laser Interrogation document.

You can customize the cut rate and pierce time of your equipment based on the material and thickness using custom tables. Take a look at our custom tables article on how to use these.

To analyze a part for a tube laser process, add this line to your pricing program:

tube_laser = analyze_tube_laser()

The tube_laser object will contain the attributes described below.

Tube Laser Attributes

Attribute	Description	Metric units	US units
`stock_type`	Cross section of the tube, options include: `round`, `rectangular`, `rectangular_radiused`, `angle`, `u_channel`, and `incompatible`	n/a	n/a
`thickness`	Thickness of sheet metal part	mm	in
`length`	Length of the tube	mm	in
`width`	Width of the tube part (applicable for `rectangular`, `rectangular_radiused`, `angle`, and `u_channel` stock types)	mm	in
`height`	Height of the tube part (applicable for `rectangular`, `rectangular_radiused`, `angle`, and `u_channel` stock types)	mm	in
`diameter`	Diameter of the tube part (applicable for `round` stock type)	mm	in
`internal_radius`	Internal radius of the tube part (applicable for `rectangular_radiused`, `angle`, and `u_channel` stock types). For `uchannel` stock type, this is only set if both internal radii are equal.	mm	in
`outside_corner_radius`	Outside corner radius of the tube part (applicable for `angle` and `u_channel` stock types). For `u_channel` stock type, this is only set if both outside corner radii are equal.	mm	in
`leg_edge_radius`	Leg edge radius of the tube part (applicable for `angle` and `u_channel` stock types). This is only set if both leg edge radii are equal.	mm	in
`is_outside_corner_round`	Whether outside corner is round. Value will be `True` or `False` (applicable for `angle` and `u_channel` stock types).	n/a	n/a
`is_leg_edge_round`	Whether both leg edges are round. Value will be `True` or `False` (applicable for `angle` and `u_channel` stock types)	n/a	n/a
`leg_angle`	Angle (in degrees) between leg and base (applicable for `u_channel` stock type)	n/a	n/a
`total_cut_length`	Cut length across all cut out features you would mark	mm	in
`pierce_count`	Number of pierces of material required for a laser	n/a	n/a
`features`	P3LList copy of all tube laser features on the part	n/a	n/a
`feedback`	P3LList copy of all tube laser manufacturability feedback on the part	n/a	n/a

Basic Examples

This example suggests how to price your material operation for a tube laser process by length of the tube:

units_in()
tube_laser = analyze_tube_laser()
price_per_inch = var('Cost Per Inch', 1, '$/in', currency, frozen=True)
length = var('Tube Length', 0, 'in', number, frozen=False)

length.update(tube_laser.length)
length.freeze()

mat_cost = var('Material Unit Price ($)',230,'', currency, frozen=False)
mat_cost.update(price_per_inch * length)
mat_cost.freeze()
PRICE = part.qty * mat_cost
DAYS = part.mat_added_lead_time

This example suggests a simple way to price tube laser cutting:

units_in()
tube_laser = analyze_tube_laser()

cut_length = var('Cut Length (in)', 0, '', number, frozen=False)
cut_length.update(tube_laser.total_cut_length)
cut_length.freeze()

pierce_count = var('Pierce Count', 0, '', number, frozen=False)
pierce_count.update(tube_laser.pierce_count)
pierce_count.freeze()

cut_rate = var('Mat Cut Rate (in/min)', 20, '', number)
pierce_time = var('Mat Pierce Time (sec/pierce)', 2.5, '', number)

setup_time = var('setup_time', 10/60, 'Setup time (hr)', number, frozen=True)

runtime = var('runtime', 0, '', number, frozen=False)
runtime.update(cut_length / cut_rate / 60 + pierce_count * pierce_time / 3600)
runtime.freeze()
rate = var('Total Rate ($/hr)', 230, '', currency)

PRICE = runtime * part.qty * rate + setup_time * rate
DAYS = 0