NUM AG Partners with Lone Star Cutting Solutions and PypeServer to Enhance Magnum Pipe Cutting Machine

About Lone Star Cutting Solutions

Based in the heart of Texas, Lone Star Cutting Solutions has established itself as a leader in the manufacturing of high-performance cutting machines. The company is renowned for its robust and reliable machinery, tailored to meet the needs of various industries, including construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing. The six-axis Magnum pipe cutting machine, one of Lone Star’s flagship products, exemplifies the company’s dedication to delivering state-of-the-art solutions that combine durability with precision.

NUM’s Cutting-Edge CNC Controls

NUM brings its industry-leading expertise in CNC control systems to the Magnum pipe cutting machine, providing advanced controls that significantly enhance its performance. Central to this collaboration is the integration of NUM’s sophisticated height control interface for cutting systems, ensuring precise and consistent cutting depths. This feature is particularly critical for maintaining the high-quality standards that Lone Star Cutting Solutions is known for, especially when working with complex pipe geometries and cutting angles.

In addition to height control, the Magnum machine now benefits from NUM’s advanced RTCP (Rotation Tool Center Point) function, which is specifically designed for multi-axis machining applications. The RTCP function allows for precise control of the tool tip in relation to the workpiece, ensuring that the desired bevel angle is maintained consistently, even when the orientation of the A/B bevel head changes. This is crucial for applications requiring high-precision beveling, such as those found in pipe cutting, where the accuracy of the cut can have significant implications for subsequent welding processes.

The RTCP function, combined with NUM’s intuitive CNC interface, empowers operators to achieve complex bevel cuts with ease and precision, minimizing manual adjustments and reducing the risk of errors.

Moreover, the Magnum pipe cutting machine now benefits from NUM’s capability to connect seamlessly with the machine’s plasma power module directly over EtherCAT. This advanced connectivity not only simplifies integration but also ensures real-time communication and control, leading to improved efficiency and reduced downtime due to the enhanced diagnostics it provides. The EtherCAT interface allows for high-speed, deterministic communication, which is essential to achieve the precise cut process control required in demanding cutting applications. NUM’s data transfer over EtherCAT is compatible with a variety of plasma cutting systems, giving the OEM flexibility to quickly adapt to any customer’s preferred power source.. 

Seamless Integration with PypeServer for Enhanced Cutting Cycle Programming

To further elevate the capabilities of the Magnum pipe cutting machine, NUM and Lone Star worked closely with PypeServer, the leader in pipe profiling software. PypeServer can bring in pipe designs from a wide variety of software, including Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD (Plant 3D, CADmep, Advance Steel), Inventor, SDS2, Tekla, and any software package that can export STEP, PCF, PCD, CSV, FIX, and other industry standard formats. PypeServer also includes its own easy to use part designer, a powerful nesting feature that saves time and material, and flexible label printing capabilities for parts and drops. As parts are cut, PypeServer automatically updates their status to the PypeServer Cloud service that’s included with the software.

In conjunction with NUM’s Flexium 3D simulation software, PypeServer provides an intuitive and efficient workflow that optimizes material usage, reduces labor, and consistently achieves high-quality cuts, making the Magnum pipe cutting machine an even more valuable asset in commercial construction and industrial applications.

Driving Innovation Together

The partnership between NUM, Lone Star Cutting Solutions, and PypeServer is a testament to the power of collaboration in driving technological advancements. By combining NUM’s expertise in CNC controls with PypeServer’s advanced pipe cutting software and Lone Star’s commitment to building reliable, high-performance cutting machines, the enhanced Magnum pipe cutting machine offers users unprecedented levels of precision, efficiency, and ease-of-use.

“We are thrilled to partner with Lone Star Cutting Solutions and PypeServeron this project,” said Steven Schilling, Managing Director of NUM US. “Our CNC control systems are designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible in industrial cutting, and the integration with the Magnum machine is a perfect example of how advanced technology can be leveraged to deliver superior performance.”

Lone Star Cutting Solutions shares this enthusiasm, with David Elmore, Sales and Growth at Lone Star, stating, “NUM’s controls have taken the Magnum pipe cutting machine to the next level. The seamless integration with the power module, RTCP bevel control and the advanced height control interface are game-changers for our customers, allowing them to achieve precision cuts with greater efficiency.”

Customer Spotlight: Ainsworth Inc. on the Lone Star Magnum, PypeServer, and NUM Control System

Ainsworth Inc., a major player in pipe fabrication, recently implemented the Lone Star Magnum pipe cutting machine in combination with NUM CNC controls and PypeServer software—and the results have been impressive.

Ainsworth took delivery of the Magnum in late 2024 and had it up and running by January 2025. Even though the team had no prior CNC programming experience, the system quickly became an integral part of their workflow. Thanks to clear support from Lone Star, NUM, and PypeServer, initial setup challenges were addressed efficiently—with on-site tech assistance extended at no extra cost.

“We didn’t have any previous experience with CNC programming,” said Steve Whitehaus, Fab Shop Manager at Ainsworth. “But with PypeServer, we’re able to easily create designs and send NC programs to the NUM controller. Our CAD department sends drawings directly to the PypeServer computer, which cuts our programming time significantly.”

Efficiency and Accuracy in Daily Use

The Ainsworth team uses the Magnum to cut carbon steel pipe from 3” Schedule 40 to 8” Schedule 80. Cuts range from straight ends for Victaulic grooves to 37.5° bevels for butt welds. They plan to expand to stainless-steel pipe cutting soon.

The system’s auto-nesting feature reduces material waste by optimizing cuts on each pipe. Combined with the precision and reliability of NUM controls, and the design flexibility of PypeServer, the trio of technologies streamlines operations.

“The speed and accuracy of the system is a huge time saver for our workflow. The Lone Star Magnum, PypeServer, and NUM controls work well with each other. All three companies are very responsive in resolving issues, “ said Steve Whitehaus, Fab Shop Manager at Ainsworth.

Looking Ahead

As NUM, PypeServer, and Lone Star Cutting Solutions continue to explore new avenues of innovation, their partnership is expected to lead to further advancements in the field of industrial cutting technology. All three companies are committed to providing their customers with cutting-edge solutions that not only meet but exceed their expectations.

Contact

For more information about NUMCNC control solutions, visit www.num.com. To learn more about PypeServer, visit www.pypeserver.com. To learn more about Lone Star Cutting Solutions and the Magnum pipe cutting machine, visit www.lonestarcuttingsolutions.com.