Copper Tubing Cutter

[frayedknot]

I'm looking to automate the process to cut copper tubing. The size ranges from 5/8" to 1-3/8" diameter with a wall thickness of 0.032" to 0.052". We cut about 12 - 15 thousand units a year of various sizes/lengths. I invision a piece of machinery that will pull and cut the copper tube however I cannot find any information on automatic tubing cutters.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

 

[ajack1]

Try searching for bar feeders. Many types are available depending upon the accuracy and lengths you require, couple that with a saw or slitting saw and that would do the job I would think.

 

[griffengm]

Fraidy,
There are a couple of machinery builders who specialize in what you seek- Try Carson and tubing in google. Seems to me that others are Oak and Tridan. We have talked to Carson and worked with Tridan and both have been good. Looking in Surplus Record, I see a number of familiar names like T-Drill, Pines, etc.
At one time, we looked intensely into the same question for refrigeration tube. If you are not prepared to spend some $$$ for straightening and truing (bringing the tube into round), the results you get may be scary. From your description, our volumes are similar. We went to Wolverine Tube and now buy cut to length. It is round, clean, straight, dehydrated and capped for about the same money we were paying to cut it in-house from small coils that were seldom round, of questionable cleanliness, and never straight.
Good luck!

Griffy