Oxy-Fuel Pipe Cutting – The Heavy-Duty Tube Laser Alternative
CNC copy-gas oxy-fuel cutting for thick-walled tubes, profiles and hollow sections – up to 50 mm wall thickness. Structural steel, fine-grain steel (S460–S1100) and wear-resistant steel (Hardox). Where tube lasers reach their limit, we still work economically.
up to 50 mm
Max. Wall Thickness
Steel · Fine-Grain Structural Steel · Hardox · High-Strength Steels
Materials
Zinser Copy-Gas Cutting Machine
Machine
2,500 × 1,200 mm
Working Format
Technology Decision
When Oxy-Fuel Pipe Cutting Is the Right Choice – Wall Thickness, Material, Batch Size
Beyond certain wall thicknesses and materials, tube-laser technology reaches its limits. Oxy-fuel flame cutting then remains the economically and technically superior solution.
- Wall thickness over 30 mm
- Tube lasers typically work up to approx. 25–30 mm. Our oxy-fuel technology cuts reliably up to 50 mm – with no loss of edge quality.
- Hardox or S690
- Wear-resistant and high-strength steels are sensitive to laser heat. Oxy-fuel flame cutting produces wider but thermally gentler heat-affected zones.
- Cost focus for small batches
- No expensive laser-programming setup. For 1–5 parts, often the markedly more economical solution – especially for cylindrical profiles with standard lengths.
Machine data
| Machine | Wall thickness | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Zinser · Copy flame-cutting machine | up to 50 mm | 2,500 × 1,200 mm |
Technical Details
Technical Capabilities
Our Zinser copy-gas cutting machine with two burners follows a template or CNC programme with precision – even for demanding pipe profiles with extreme wall thicknesses.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Materials | Structural steel (S235, S355), fine-grain structural steel, Hardox, high-strength steels (S460–S1100) |
| Profile Types | Round tube, square tube (SHS), rectangular tube (RHS), hollow sections, I-beams (IPE, IPN, IPB/HEB, IPBl/HEA, IPBv/HEM) |
| Cut Types | Bevel cuts, notchings, saddle cuts, contour cuts |
Advantages
Thick-Walled, Where Tube Lasers Give Up
- Up to 50 mm wall thickness
- well beyond the limit of any tube laser. Solid steel meets process reliability.
- Hardox and S690 no problem
- high-strength and wear-resistant steels that would overwhelm other cutting processes.
- Two burners simultaneously
- symmetric cuts and faster throughput for series production.
- Reproducible contour quality
- the Zinser machine follows the copy programme CNC-controlled, cut after cut.
- Straight into welding
- after cutting, directly to shot blasting, welding and painting – all in Lorch, Germany.
Steel and industrial-hall constructors from the Stuttgart area and the DACH region have us flame-cut thick-walled pipes and beam copes here in Lorch – for wall thicknesses beyond the reach of the tube laser.
Technology Comparison
Tube Laser Alternative – Direct Comparison
Not every task requires a tube laser. As wall thickness increases, so does the advantage of oxy-fuel cutting.
| Feature | Tube Laser | 3D Plasma Pipe Bock Maschinenbau | Oxy-Fuel Pipe Bock Maschinenbau |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Wall Thickness | ≤ 20 mm | up to 30 mm | up to 50 mm |
| Materials | Steel, Stainless Steel | Steel, Stainless, Wear Plate | Structural steel, fine-grain steel (S460–S1100), wear-resistant steel (Hardox) |
| 3D Cutouts & Notchings | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Bevel Cuts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cutting Speed | Very High | High | Medium |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Expensive | Economical | Low-Cost |
| Single Part / Small Batch | Limited | Yes | Yes |
Industries & Use Cases
Typical Applications
Wherever wall thickness is critical – and no tube laser in the world can keep up.
Heavy Steel Construction
Solid I-beams (IPB/HEB, IPE) and hollow sections for bridge construction, crane girders and foundation structures with extreme wall thicknesses and high weld-category requirements.
Foundation Engineering
Sheet pile carriers, bore pipe components and grab elements from high-strength steel – built for tough operating conditions.
Vehicle & Crane Engineering
Axle tubes, boom segments and slew-ring flanges from Hardox – thick-walled, precise and ready to weld.
Offshore & Plant Engineering
Pipe bends, tee branches and flange pieces for pressure vessel systems and offshore structures to standard.
From Production
Pipe Flame Cutting in Practice
Pipe and Profile Cutting
Thick-walled profiles and beams are first cut to length by sawing, then contour-cut using thermal methods for the pipe cutout.
Learn more
CNC Pipe Contour Cut
Precisely flame-cut contour in thick-walled steel pipe – weld-ready straight off the machine.
Flame Cut S355 Contract
CNC pipe flame cutting for steel construction – series and single-piece on one machine.
Learn more
Stainless steel or wear plate?
For 3D Cutouts up to 30 mm: Plasma Cutting
If your project requires stainless steel, wear plate or complex 3D geometries – and the wall thickness is under 30 mm – our CNC plasma pipe cutting is the more precise choice.
3D Plasma Pipe Cutting
Frequently asked questions about oxy-fuel pipe cutting
Up to what wall thickness are pipes and sections oxy-fuel cut?
Up to 50 mm wall thickness. Cutting is done on a Zinser copy-gas cutting machine that follows a template or a CNC programme with two burners; the clamping format is 2,500 × 1,200 mm.
Which profile shapes and cut types are possible in oxy-fuel pipe cutting?
Oxy-fuel pipe cutting covers round tube, square tube (SHS), rectangular tube (RHS), hollow sections and I-beams (IPE, IPN, IPB/HEB, IPBl/HEA, IPBv/HEM) – as bevel cuts, notchings, saddle cuts and contour cuts.
Are pipes made of Hardox, S460 or S690 oxy-fuel cut?
Yes. Oxy-fuel pipe cutting processes structural steel (S235/S355), fine-grain and high-strength structural steel (S460–S1100) as well as wear-resistant steel (Hardox).
How are 3D cut-outs on pipes produced?
In oxy-fuel pipe cutting, 3D cut-outs and notchings are possible only to a limited extent. Up to 30 mm wall thickness, Bock therefore cuts complex 3D geometries on the 3D plasma pipe cutting machine, including in stainless steel, fine-grain structural steel and wear-resistant steel; wall thicknesses up to 50 mm are oxy-fuel cut.
Contact
Your pipe project in expert hands.
Send us your drawings or specifications – we assess the technical possibilities and advise you personally. Prompt, direct, no obligation.
