Stefa Cut-to-Length Line CTL-25
The Stefa Cut-to-Length Line CTL-25 is an industrial cut-to-length system suited for high-volume, repeatable cutting of tube, pipe, and similar stock, complementing tube laser and fabrication operations for furniture, roll cages, tube frames, and general contract manufacturing.
At a Glance
- Machine type: Cut-to-length line (CTL) for automated measuring and cutting of long stock.
- Typical applications: Precision tube and pipe cutting for furniture, roll cages, tube frames, and general fabrication.
- Production role: Front-end processing line feeding downstream operations such as tube lasers, bending, and welding.
- Key value: Consistent length accuracy and throughput on repetitive parts, reducing manual measuring and sawing labor.
- Typical buyer: Fabricators and contract manufacturers handling medium to high volumes of tubular or long product.
Typical Cost Ranges
Pricing estimate (USD): $250,000 – $2,000,000 USD, depending on configuration, automation level, and capacity.
- Lower end of the range generally corresponds to simpler lines with moderate capacity and basic automation.
- Upper end typically reflects higher speeds, larger section sizes, advanced handling (infeed/outfeed), and integrated automation.
- Budget should also account for installation, commissioning, operator training, and any required foundations or utilities.
- Tooling, fixturing, and any required integration with upstream/downstream equipment can add to total project cost.
- Ongoing operating costs will be driven by labor, consumables (blades, tooling), maintenance, and energy usage.
Specs That Matter
- Material type and size range – Confirm the CTL-25 can handle the full range of tubes/pipes used in your furniture, roll cage, and frame production (diameter, wall thickness, and length).
- Length accuracy and repeatability – Cut-to-length performance is critical for precision tube cutting and for feeding tube lasers and downstream fixtures without excessive rework.
- Line speed and throughput – Evaluate maximum feed speed and cuts per minute for your typical part lengths to ensure the line can match or exceed downstream process capacity.
- Cut quality and squareness – End condition (burr level, squareness, and surface finish) affects fit-up for welding and assembly of roll cages, tube frames, and furniture.
- Automation and handling – Consider infeed (bundle loading or single bar), automatic measuring, and outfeed stacking/collection to minimize manual handling and improve safety.
- Integration with tube lasers and other equipment – The CTL-25 should be able to supply stock in lengths and tolerances compatible with your HSG tube laser and other fabrication equipment.
- Controls and programmability – Look for user-friendly controls allowing storage of part recipes, quick changeover between lengths, and clear diagnostics for maintenance and troubleshooting.
What to Inspect Before You Buy
- Verify the maximum and minimum tube/pipe sizes, wall thicknesses, and lengths against your current and projected jobs.
- Check documented length tolerance and repeatability on representative materials and lengths you commonly run.
- Inspect the cutting section for blade/tool condition, rigidity, and adjustment features that affect cut squareness and finish.
- Evaluate the infeed and outfeed handling for ergonomics, safety, and suitability for your material packaging (bundles, singles).
- Review the control system interface, recipe management, and ease of setting new lengths or batch sizes.
- Ask for sample cuts on your own material and inspect them for length, squareness, burr, and any deformation.
- Confirm available safety features (guards, interlocks, emergency stops) and that they align with your plant standards.
- Assess accessibility for routine maintenance: lubrication points, wear parts, and ease of blade or tooling changes.
- Clarify installation requirements (floor space, foundations, power, air) and how they fit into your existing layout.
- Review service and support arrangements, including spare parts availability and response expectations.
Common Questions
What is the Stefa Cut-to-Length Line CTL-25 used for? It is used for automated measuring and cutting of long stock, such as tubes and pipes, to precise lengths for applications like furniture, roll cages, tube frames, and general fabrication.
How does it complement an HSG tube laser? The CTL-25 can pre-cut tubes and pipes to specific lengths, supplying consistent stock to an HSG tube laser for further precision cutting, slotting, or profiling operations.
What price range should I expect for a CTL-25 line? The indicative range is about $250,000 to $2,000,000 USD, depending on configuration, automation, and capacity.
Is it suitable for high-volume production? Yes, cut-to-length lines like the CTL-25 are typically selected for medium to high-volume, repetitive cutting where throughput and consistency are important.
Can it handle different tube sizes? It is designed for tube and pipe processing; you should verify the specific diameter, wall thickness, and length ranges against your material mix.
How important is length accuracy on this type of machine? Length accuracy and repeatability are critical, as they directly affect fit-up and downstream processes such as welding, fixturing, and laser cutting.
What kind of cut quality should I expect? Cut-to-length lines are designed to produce consistent, square cuts; the exact burr level and finish will depend on tooling, setup, and material, so sample cuts should be reviewed.
Can the CTL-25 be integrated into an automated production cell? Cut-to-length lines are often integrated with upstream and downstream equipment; you should confirm specific integration options, signals, and mechanical interfaces for your cell layout.
What should I look at during a factory visit or demo? Focus on length accuracy, changeover time, handling of your material sizes, condition of cuts on your samples, and the usability of the control system.
What ongoing costs should I plan for? Expect costs for operators, consumables like blades or tooling, routine maintenance, and energy, in addition to any spare parts or service support.
Source: Stefa Cut-to-Length Line CTL-25
Stefa Cut-to-Length Line CTL-25
