Laser Tube Cutting is the process by which tube stock material is selectively cut to form various shapes, holes, designs, and/or channels using a controllable precision laser. Tube Bending consists of a series of manufacturing processes that alter the shape of a pipe or tube to create the desired geometry or features that meet specific requirements. Both raw tube stock, as well as laser cut tube, can be bent. In many cases, cutting is a preparatory phase before bending can commence.
Below you will find the answers to the most common questions we get about our tube fabrication processes. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? No worries, you can contact us, and we will do our best to promptly address any additional questions you may have!
How do I get a quote for tube cutting or bending?
To get a tube cutting or bending quote, start by uploading a supported 3D CAD file of your part to the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine. From the quoting interface, you can modify the parameters of your quote and select "Laser Tube Cutting" or "Tube Bending" from the manufacturing process drop-down menu. If your part has both cut and bent features, then choose the tube bending process. Be sure to specify the quantities you need and any additional requirements such as finishing, tapped holes, etc. Don’t forget to add any 2D drawings you have to accompany your parts.
Is there a minimum quantity requirement?
No, we do not have a minimum quantity requirement for our tube cutting or bending processes! The process is scalable from one-off prototypes to high-volume runs in the thousands of pieces.
What tube profiles and materials do you offer?
We offer various profile shapes and material combinations for our tube cutting and bending processes. The best resource to find what tube shapes and sizes Xometry offers is our Standard Tube Sizes page.
What tube bending techniques does Xometry utilize?
Our tube bending capabilities include :
- Mandrel Tube Bending
- Rotary Draw Tube Bending
For more information on each technique, please see the corresponding section of our tube bending page here.
Can you bend plastic tubing?
No, we do not offer bending services for plastic tubing at this time. Our tube bending services are limited to round metal tubing.
Can tapped holes be added to cut or bent tube parts?
No, because of the normal-to-surface cuts there may be flared holes on round tubing preventing the ability to tap a hole.
What are lead times like for tube cutting and bending?
Lead times start around 15 business days ARO. Upload your file(s) to a quote to get the most accurate lead time for your project.
What are the tolerances for tube cutting and bending?
Please visit our manufacturing standards page for more information about our tolerances and standards.