How Fabertec Builds the T4 Tube Cutter for Ireland Fabrication Workshops

Loading and Outgoing Areas

Tube lengths vary massively between industries. Some clients process 3 metre sections, while others require 12–15 metre loading capability or even bespoke systems exceeding 20 metres.

The loading area directly affects:

Operator involvement
Batch efficiency
Automation potential
Production speed
Workshop workflow

Longer loading areas allow multiple cutting operations before reloading is required, significantly reducing manual intervention.

Where workshop space is limited, 6m or 7.5m loading systems are often the most practical solution. However, for high-volume production facilities, extended loading systems can dramatically improve throughput and labour efficiency.

The outgoing section must also match the finished product size. Short finished components may only require basic support systems, while longer structural elements often require a third chuck and extended support assemblies to maintain precision and prevent deflection during processing.

The T4 platform can also be configured with:

Zero tailing systems
Automated loading
Automated unloading
Extended support rails
Bespoke transfer systems

This is why loading and unloading length should always be planned around the real material flow of the workshop. A correctly configured T4 tube cutter setup helps reduce manual handling, improve batch cutting efficiency, support longer finished parts and keep production moving smoothly, whether the requirement is a compact 6m system or a fully bespoke high-volume handling solution.

Chuck Selection and Structural Capacity

The chuck system is one of the most critical parts of any tube laser cutter.

Different industries require vastly different chuck capacities:

Small precision tubes
Heavy structural steel
Thick-wall RHS/SHS
I-beams
U-channels
Oil & gas pipework

Chuck diameters can range from compact 80mm systems up to heavy-duty 600mm industrial chucks.

To correctly size the chuck system, we analyse:

Tube diameter range
Kg per metre
Total section weight
Material inertia
Rotation speed requirements
Daily production targets
Finished product dimensions

This data allows us to correctly match:

Servo motor size
Gear reducers
Structural support systems
Rotational acceleration capability
Long-term durability

Undersized drive systems may work initially but often wear prematurely under industrial production loads. The T4 tube cutter philosophy is to overspecify critical components to maintain reliability and reduce downtime.

fiber laser tube cutter in uk with bevel option

Tube Support Systems

The tube supports work together with the chuck system to maintain material stability throughout the cutting cycle.

Without properly synchronised support systems:

Long tubes sag
Rotation becomes unstable
Cutting accuracy suffers
Chuck strain increases
Servo wear accelerates

The T4 uses synchronised multi-point support systems designed to stabilise:

Round tube
SHS/RHS
Angle iron
Structural profiles
Heavy wall sections

This ensures accurate positioning and consistent cutting quality across the entire material length.

A properly supported tube also reduces vibration during rotation and cutting, especially on longer or heavier sections. This helps protect the chuck system, reduces unnecessary stress on moving parts, and gives the operator more consistent results from the first cut to the last.

Servo Motors and Reducers

Most tube cutter problems originate from undersized motion systems.

High rotational mass combined with rapid acceleration creates enormous strain on:

Servo motors
Gear reducers
Bearings
Chuck assemblies

At FABERTEC, servo systems are selected with significant reserve capacity rather than operating at the edge of their limits.

Our engineering philosophy is simple:

Oversize critical systems
Reduce mechanical stress
Extend component lifespan
Minimise production stoppages

This becomes especially important when processing:

Heavy structural steel
Thick-wall material
Long sections
High-volume production runs

Laser Power and Future Capacity

Laser power selection is not only about current cutting thickness.

It must also account for:

Future workload increases
Production speed targets
Material expansion plans
Bevel cutting requirements
Weld preparation capability

For example, a 6kW machine may process 15mm wall material adequately, but once bevel cutting or weld preparation is introduced, effective cutting requirements increase significantly.

Upgrading to 12kW can provide:

Faster processing speeds
Higher daily throughput
Better bevel capability
Increased future flexibility
Greater spare cutting capacity

Selecting the correct laser source from the beginning avoids production bottlenecks later as the business expands.

Loading and Unloading Automation

The T4 tube cutter can be configured with automated loading and unloading systems designed around production volume and material dimensions.

Automated loading systems can:

Store multiple sections
Automatically feed material
Reduce operator involvement
Improve consistency
Lower labour costs

Automated unloading systems:

Protect finished parts
Improve workflow
Prevent floor clutter
Increase production efficiency

Every automation system is matched to:

Material length
Section type
Finished product size
Production targets

Bespoke Engineering Solutions

No two fabrication workshops operate identically.

That is why the T4 platform also supports:

Water assist cutting systems
Internal scrap extraction
Deburring systems
Bespoke handling systems
Special structural configurations
Custom automation solutions

By maintaining an in-house engineering and machine design department, FABERTEC works directly with clients to configure the most efficient and commercially viable solution for their operation.

The goal is not simply to sell a machine. The goal is to engineer a production system that remains commercially viable, productive and scalable for years ahead.

Software and Operator Flexibility

Every T4 system includes operating software without forced subscription models.

The supplied software supports:

Tube cutting
SHS/RHS profiles
Oval tube
Standard structural sections

Clients can optionally upgrade to advanced Tube-T software packages depending on their production requirements and nesting complexity.

Bevel & Static Cutting Technology

For fabrication companies producing welded assemblies, bevel capability is often essential rather than optional.

The bevel cutting option transforms the T4 into a full production preparation system capable of:

Weld preparation
Chamfers
Complex inserts
Multi-axis profiling

The additional axes significantly reduce manual preparation time while improving repeatability and weld consistency.

The static cutting axis also allows the laser head to move independently along the tube without constantly moving heavy material in and out through the chuck system. This: