Tube and profile laser cutting
We cut and machine round, square and rectangular tube and special profiles with repeatable geometry and joints designed to simplify assembly.
Round tube · Square tube · Special profiles
What is tube laser cutting?
Tube laser cutting brings laser accuracy to tubular material: cut-to-length, end profiling, holes, slots and interlocking features executed directly on the profile, exactly where the drawing puts them and with no manual marking beforehand.
The industrial problem it solves is straightforward. When a structure is built from hand-cut tube, every joint has to be measured, marked and adjusted. With tube laser cutting the parts arrive ready to fit together, which cuts assembly time and improves the repeatability of the welded assembly.
It is the natural step before welding metal structures and frames, and it is often combined with sheet parts cut in the same workshop.
Materials and thicknesses for tube laser cutting
Metals and sheet thicknesses we work with as standard. If your industrial project needs a material that is not in the table, say so in your enquiry and our engineering office will confirm whether we can handle it.
This service works with the same materials and thicknesses as the rest of the plant. The full table is on the Sheet metal laser cutting page.
CAD file formats accepted for quoting
- DXF
- DWG
- STEP / STP
- STL
- IGS / IGES
- PNG
- JPG
With DXF, DWG or STEP we work straight from your file geometry: no need to redraw the part, and the quote comes back sooner.
We do more than check the drawing: we advise you on nesting (how the sheet is used) so you get the lowest possible price per part before anything is cut.
How our engineering office works
If you would rather not fill in the form, send the drawing straight to cata@catagermans.com.
Confidential handling. Your drawings are only used to prepare the technical assessment and are not shared with third parties. If you need a signed non-disclosure agreement, send it over.
Technical capabilities for tube laser cutting
| Sections | Round, square and rectangular tube and special profiles |
|---|---|
| Operations | Cut to length, holes, slots, end profiling and assembly interlocks |
| Volumes | One-off, prototype and batch |
Applications and types of custom metal parts
- Metal structures and frames with pre-prepared joints.
- Welded assemblies built from tube and profile.
- Bars, uprights and cross members with fixing holes already cut.
- Tab-and-slot features that locate the assembly before welding.
- Replacement tubular parts from a sample or drawing.
Sectors we manufacture for
We manufacture for industrial companies across very different sectors. These are some of the most common ones, but not the only ones: if yours is not listed, tell us about the part and we will confirm whether we can make it.
- Automotive
- Food industry (stainless steel)
- Agricultural machinery
- Construction
- Steel structures
- Energy
- Street furniture
Why work with Catà Germans
- Every process under one roof
- Cutting, forming, machining, welding and finishing in the same plant. We handle the whole logistics side so you receive the parts palletised and protected at your own factory, anywhere in Catalonia and the surrounding area, on the agreed lead time.
- In-house engineering office
- We review the drawing before manufacturing and prepare production from CAD/CAM. If something does not add up, we ask you instead of interpreting it ourselves. And if what you have is a sketch or a question, we will help with that too: advice is part of the service.
- From drawing to finished product
- Some finishes, such as painting or zinc plating, are done with specialist workshops. We handle the coordination and deliver with our own fleet: a single order and a part ready to fit.
- Raw material in stock
- We keep sheet and tube permanently in stock, so many standard jobs can start without waiting for material.
- Over 65 years of the trade
- A family business founded in 1958, specialised in industrial subcontracting of metal parts. You deal directly with the people who make the part.
Frequently asked questions
01Tube and profile laser cutting
What is tube laser cutting?
It is laser cutting applied to tubular material: cuts to length, end profiles, holes, slots and joints made directly on the tube or profile, in the exact position shown on the drawing and with no manual marking out beforehand.
What operations can be done on the tube?
In a single cutting operation:
- Cutting to length
- End profiles for joints
- Fixing holes and slots
- Joints that locate the assembly before welding
The tube comes off the laser ready for assembly, with no marking out or drilling afterwards.
Which tube sections do you work with?
Round, square and rectangular tube, and special profiles. Each machine has its own limits for section, wall thickness and length, so send us the drawing and we will confirm feasibility with the quote.
What are the advantages over manual cutting and drilling?
When a structure is built from hand-cut tubes, every joint has to be measured, marked out and adjusted. With laser cutting the parts arrive ready to fit together.
- Less assembly time
- Better repeatability between identical assemblies
- Holes and cut-outs in the exact position on the drawing
02Joints and welded assemblies
What are assembly joints?
They are cut-outs designed so that one part slots into another in the right position, like a tab-and-slot joint. They locate the assembly before welding, so the final geometry depends less on manual fitting.
Can you make the fixing holes in the same cut?
Yes. Holes, slots and cut-outs are made in the same cutting operation, in the exact position on the drawing.
Do you also make the welded assembly, not just the cut?
Yes. Tube cutting often carries on into industrial welding, robotic welding or assembly within the same plant, so you can receive the finished assembly instead of loose parts.
03Parts, runs and combinations
Do you make one-off parts, prototypes and production runs?
Yes. We work on one-off parts, prototypes and production runs. Because the cut is programmed from the drawing, repeating the same part in a later order is straightforward.
Can you make a replacement from an existing part?
Yes. We make replacement tubular parts from the sample or the drawing. If you have no documentation, tell us what the part does and where it fits.
Can it be combined with sheet metal parts?
Yes, that is common. Many structures combine tube and sheet cut in the same workshop, which makes it easier for every part to fit at assembly.
Can the tube be bent after cutting?
Yes. We roll and bend tube and profile in the same plant. Feasibility depends on the diameter, the wall thickness and the radius, and we assess it case by case from the drawing.
04Engineering office and confidentiality
Does my file need redrawing to quote for tube laser cutting?
No. With DXF, DWG or STEP we work directly on the geometry in your file: the part does not need redrawing and the quote comes back sooner. We work mainly with SolidWorks and AutoCAD, among other CAD and CAM tools.
Are my drawings treated confidentially?
Yes. Drawings are used only to prepare the technical assessment and are not shared with third parties. If you need a signed confidentiality agreement, you can send it to us.
What if I only have a sketch or a technical question?
Send us a dimensioned sketch or tell us what you need. Our engineering office reviews it, asks whatever it needs to and, if necessary, helps you define the part: advice is part of the service, for metalworkers and small workshops too.
05Process, lead times and delivery
What happens after I send my request?
- Enquiry: you send the drawing, material, thickness, quantity and deadline
- Review by our engineering office and manufacturing plan
- Quote and confirmation, with alternatives where there are any
- Manufacturing within the same plant
- Inspection, packing and delivery
What lead time does a tube laser cutting order have?
It depends on the part, the quantity and the other processes involved. In the quote request you can choose a 24/48 h urgent service (with a surcharge), about one week, a flexible deadline or a specific date, and we confirm it with the quote.
Do you have to wait for material before starting?
For many routine orders, no. We keep sheet and tube in permanent stock, so manufacturing can start without waiting for material.
Can you deliver the parts to our factory?
Yes, with our own fleet. We prepare the load and deliver the parts palletised and protected to the agreed point. We usually serve the provinces of Tarragona and Barcelona, and look at other destinations case by case.
06Sectors and experience
Which sectors do you provide tube laser cutting for?
We manufacture for industrial companies in very different sectors. Some of the most common:
- Automotive
- Food industry (stainless steel)
- Agricultural machinery
- Construction
- Structural steelwork
- Energy
- Street furniture
Tube structures, frames and assemblies are common in construction, structural steelwork, agricultural machinery and street furniture. If your sector is not listed, tell us about the part and we will confirm whether we can make it.
Why choose Catà Germans for tube laser cutting?
We are a family company founded in 1958, with more than 65 years in industrial subcontracting of metal parts.
- Every process under one roof: cutting, forming, machining, welding and finishing
- Our own engineering office, which reviews the drawing before manufacturing
- Direct contact with the people who make the part
- One order and one point of contact, right through to delivery
07Quotes, files and orders
Which file formats do you accept?
We accept PDF, DXF, DWG, STEP/STP, STL, IGS/IGES and also PNG or JPG images. If you do not have a final drawing yet, send us a dimensioned sketch and we will review it all the same.
Do you make one-off parts or only production runs?
We handle one-off parts and prototypes as well as small, medium and large batches and repeat production. You can specify this in the quote request.
How quickly do you reply to an enquiry?
We send the technical response as soon as possible once we have the drawing and the part details.
Do you offer painting, zinc plating or other surface finishes?
You can include them in the order. These finishes are carried out with specialist workshops we work with regularly, but we handle the coordination and the transport: you place a single order and receive the finished part.
Can I combine several processes in one part?
Yes — that is the normal way we work. A part can go through laser cutting, bending, welding and finishing inside the same plant, under a single order and a single point of contact.
Request information or a quote
Send us the drawing and the part details and we will come back with a technical answer as soon as possible.
Reply as soon as possible