Laser cut space frame

[ireson75]

Hi all,

I'm looking please for some advice. I am fairly CAD proficient and I am looking to make a space frame based chassis from a CAD model. I am intending to make it from T45 steel and then tig weld it together. If successful it is likely production quantities could be relatively high.

I was wondering whether anybody has any experience of getting tubes laser cut from a Solidworks models or similar and how well this process worked as shown below? Likewise any suppliers that can do this in the south of England (Hampshire area)?

I have heard that the process of laser cutting can cause Nitrates to form and make the welding difficult unless a lot of time is taken to clean up the surface?

Cheers,

Tom

 

[clift_d]

Maybe have a chat with Parker Steel - they have a Tube Laser processing line that looks really interesting.

http://www.parkersteel.co.uk/Processing#process=TubeLaser

 

[Welderpaul]

Yes, Parker Steel, they are good.

We weld laser cut plates day in and day out. Never any issues.

 

[PhillipM]

I usually find with the laser cut kits it's handy to knock a flap disc over the end just to get rid of the affected area from the laser, seems to weld better. Obviously if you're migging and they've profiled like in that video you need to knock some of it back anyway because otherwise you're welding to tapered edges.

 

[wyn]

I sometimes Tig weld a few bits that are laser cut and it's much nicer to weld if they've had a grinder over them.

Some other lasered bits i mig weld and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

[Normsthename]

I was wondering whether anybody has any experience of getting tubes laser cut from a Solidworks models or similar

I do this regularly in my job.
The company I use can accept 3D files in XT format which Solidworks can export to.
Do bear in mind when preparing the 3D file is that the laser Cutting is usually perpendicular to the tube.
Some Tube Laser cutters with 5 axis can cut the tube at an angle.
That is useful when doing 'Coping'

Andy