Established a century ago in Northeast Wisconsin, Badger Sheet Metal Works (BSMW) continues its tradition of using the best to deliver the best by now commanding advanced tube-cutting technology. The AMADA 3015 RI was installed this spring, supercharging the metal fabricator’s production capacities and operational efficiencies. Read on for an explanation about tube laser cutting and why it’s such a benefit for BSMW to welcome this new tool to its arsenal.

What is Tube Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting is mainly a thermal process in which the energy from a pencil-thin, focused laser is used to cut, melt or burn its way through materials. Controlled through computer coding, the cuts are completed to design specification by directing pressure and an amplified beam of light via a nozzle.

Most laser cutters are unable to work with metal tubing, however, because they’ve been engineered to work with flat metal sheets.

As its name implies, tube laser cutting is a specialty form of laser cutting that is designed to cut tubes and other unconventional shapes with pinpoint precision, tailoring them to specific lengths, or inscribing unique patterns onto their surfaces. Cutting structural material often requires a two-step process of saw cutting and machine work to achieve the desired profile, but with a tube laser, this can be completed more efficiently within a single step.

“Investing in the AMADA 3015 RI was a strategic choice for us at Badger Sheet Metal Works,” said Kenny Coe, BSMW’s sales manager. “We recognized the potential of its precision, speed, and versatility, knowing it would allow us to deliver more diverse and complex solutions to our clients while enhancing our production efficiency.”

AMADA 3015 RI Capabilities

BSMW’s AMADA 3015 RI can rapidly process intricate designs requiring extreme precision and material thicknesses up to 3/4″.

• Max Sheet Size: 120” x 60”
• Max Sheet Material Thickness:
  • Mild Steel ¾”
  • Stainless 3/8”
  • Aluminum ¼”

Extremely versatile, the AMADA 3015 RI can cut tubes of almost any shape:

• Table Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, Angle and Channel
  • Round Tube ¾” – 8.66”
  • Square Tube ¾” – 6”
  • Rectangle 8.66” Diagonal
  • Angle 3.54” x 3.54”
  • C-Channel 6” Wide
  • Maximum Weight 441 lbs / Maximum Length 236.2”

Benefits of Tube Laser Cutting

Benefits of the AMADA 3015 RI are multifold. With its blistering speed and meticulous precision, the machine can churn out complex parts, with high repeatability, in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods.

Furthermore, the precise cutting control of the AMADA 3015 RI’s laser allows it to etch a design or lettering onto the surface of a part, aiding in part identification and adding a layer of customization. Secondary processes, often time-consuming, are significantly reduced as the cutting leaves clean, smooth edges that are ready for assembly. This heightened efficiency results in reduced downtime and lower costs, which BSMW can pass on to its customers.

Industries Served

While most often sought out by companies requiring complex part production, tube laser cutting services are seeing increased demand in nearly every sector. BSMW anticipates its tube laser cutting services will significantly benefit customers in the packaging and material handling industries.

Immediate Impact

In just over a month since BSMW installed the AMADA 3015 RI, the impact on production has been considerable. BSMW has been able to move 30-40% of projects being machined to the tube laser.

The company has also been undertaking new, exciting projects because of the technology. Most notable would be a material handling frame project. BSMW slotted and tabbed the frames of 30 units for ease of weld fabrication.

”By integrating the AMADA 3015 RI, we’re keeping pace with the industry’s advancements and also helping shape its future by passing along the benefits of this fabrication technology to our valued customers,” said Coe.

The AMADA 3015 RI is an exciting addition to BSMW’s capabilities. Its sheer speed and efficiency allow for an expanded range of cuts with an unparalleled level of accuracy. Contact us today to find out how this advanced tube laser cutting technology will help bring your most ambitious projects to life!

About Badger Sheet Metal Works

Badger Sheet Metal Works is a custom and OEM metal fabrication partner for various industries, including food and dairy, mining, petroleum, material handling, and architecture. The company employs approximately 100 people in a custom-designed plant in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The facility includes a 70 by 320-foot main assembly bay with four crane rails featuring a total lifting capacity of 30 tons and a 22-foot under-hook height. For more information about BSMW’s custom fabrication capabilities, call Kenny Coe, director of sales, at (920) 435-8881, or visit bsmw.com. Download a copy of BSMW’s capabilities deck here.