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 reach us by email at support@xometry.com, 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.
Once you have specified your requirements, you can submit your quote request, and one of our experts will begin reviewing the request. Please expect to be contacted by our team, who will work with you to learn more about your project, iron out the details, and provide you with a finalized quote. Please provide our team 24-48 hours to follow up on new tube fabrication requests.
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. Profiles we offer include round tubes, pipes, rectangular tubes, and square tubes (with or without rounded corners). Materials include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, and titanium. For a complete list of materials, please visit the following links:
If your project requires other materials which are not listed, please use the “custom material” option within our quoting interface. This option enables you to submit custom requests which we will be happy to review and explore further with you.
What tube bending techniques does Xometry utilize?
Our tube bending capabilities include :
- Roll Tube Bending
- Rotary Draw Tube Bending
- Mandrel Tube Bending
- Compression Bending
For more information on each technique, please see the corresponding section of our tube bending page here.
Can you bend plastic tubing?
While we do offer tube cutting services for some plastics such as acrylic, we do not offer bending services for plastic tubing at this time. Our tube bending services are limited to metals.
Can tapped holes be added to cut or bent tube parts?
Yes, we offer tapped holes as a selectable feature in our quoting interface for both laser tube cutting and bending! Be sure to specify how many holes need to be added and tapped, as well as provide a drawing with the appropriate callouts.
What are lead times like for tube cutting and bending?
Lead times differ between our tube cutting and bending services, please refer to the listings below for more information on typical lead times.
Laser Tube Cutting Typical Lead Times
- Domestic: 3-4 weeks ARO
- Economy: 4-5 weeks ARO
Tube Bending Typical Lead Times
- 4-6 weeks ARO if design allows for standard tooling
- 8-10 weeks ARO if the design requires custom tooling
Our team of experts will be working with you closely throughout the process and offer suggestions and options to provide you with the best possible turnaround while working to meet your unique needs.
What are the tolerances for tube cutting and bending?
Please visit our manufacturing standards page for more information about our tolerances and standards.