Watch the Preview
Published August 24, 2026 · TubeCNC Blog · Software Update
TubeCNC has posted a short preview on YouTube, “New features added to our Tube CAD/CAM,” introducing a self-locating joint option for tube ends in the CAD3D software.
The clip is a quick, close-up look rather than a full walkthrough, so this article focuses on what the new end-cut options are and what they’re for, based on what’s shown on screen.
A Self-Locating Joint Option for Tube Ends
- 1Select an end of the tube (Left End or Right End) in the part tree, alongside the existing Cutouts and Branches options.
- 2Open the End Cut Type options and choose a cut profile for that end.
- 3Set the joint as M or F, so the cut end is designed to mate with a matching fitting.
- 4Adjust the Lock Size % and Rotation Angle fields to fit the cut precisely to the mating part.
- 5Choose the Contour Base (External, Internal, or Union) that the cut is measured from.
- 6Review the tube end next to its mating fitting in the 3D view to confirm the joint lines up correctly.
What You’ll Learn
From this preview, here’s what the new end-cut options cover:
- Where end-cut settings live in the CAD3D tube tree (Left End / Right End, alongside Cutouts and Branches)
- How to set a tube end’s End Cut Type
- How the M/F setting defines a self-locating joint
- What the Lock Size % and Rotation Angle fields control
- How Contour Base (EXT / INT / UNION) affects the cut
- How to check a tube end against its mating fitting in the 3D view
Why This Is Useful
Fitting a tube end to a mating part — a bracket, clamp, or another tube — usually means carefully working out the cut profile so the two pieces line up correctly.
A dedicated M/F setting on the end cut, together with Lock Size and Rotation Angle controls, gives a more direct way to define that fit in CAD3D and check it against the mating part before cutting.
Using This in Real Tube-Cutting Workflows
Self-locating end cuts are relevant anywhere a tube needs to join cleanly to a fitting or fixture — for example, structural frames, handrail assemblies, or components that mount onto a clamp or bracket. Defining the joint geometry directly on the tube end can make that fit more repeatable across a production run.
New Features Added to Our Tube CAD/CAM — TubeCNC YouTube Channel
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