Laser Cutting
Laser cutting uses a focused laser beam to cut sheet and plate into accurate profiles with narrow kerf and clean edges, directly from a CAD file. It is the fastest route from a DXF drawing to flat parts in mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium.
What it is
A high-power laser melts or vaporises the material along the programmed path while an assist gas (oxygen, nitrogen or air) blows the molten metal away. Holes, slots and intricate shapes are cut without tooling.
Parts are nested on the sheet to minimise waste, making laser cutting economical for prototypes and production batches alike. Cut blanks often go on to bending and welding.
Typical applications
- Sheet metal blanks for bending and fabrication
- Brackets, gussets and plates
- Enclosure and panel parts
- Decorative and signage profiles
- Machine guards and covers
Suitable materials
- Mild steel (CRCA, HR, IS 2062)
- Stainless steel (304, 316)
- Aluminium
- Galvanised steel
- Brass and copper (fiber laser)
Points to consider
- Hole diameters should generally be at least the material thickness for clean holes.
- Nitrogen cutting gives oxide-free edges on stainless steel and aluminium, ready for welding or painting.
- Thick plate edges have a slight taper and striations; machine them if precision edges are needed.
- Provide clean DXF files at 1:1 scale with closed contours.
Frequently asked questions
What thickness can be laser cut?
Mild steel commonly up to about 20–25 mm, stainless steel up to about 12–20 mm and aluminium up to about 10–15 mm, depending on the machine.
How accurate is laser cutting?
Typically around ±0.1–0.2 mm on profiles, suitable for most sheet metal work without further machining.
What file do I need for laser cutting?
A DXF or DWG file of the flat profile at full scale is ideal. A dimensioned PDF drawing also works.