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
			
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