Our 6 kW fiber lasers cut sheet metal with nitrogen assist for oxide-free edges and sub-0.2 mm kerf width. From 0.5 mm electronics enclosures to 20 mm structural steel plate, fiber laser is our default sheet cutting process — faster than plasma, cleaner than waterjet, more accurate than shearing.
Fiber laser vs CO₂ laser. Fiber is 2–3× faster on thin sheet (under 6 mm). CO₂ still edges out fiber on thick aluminum above 12 mm, but fiber's 6 kW systems have closed this gap. Fiber cuts reflective materials (copper, brass, aluminum) without damaging the optics — CO₂ cannot. Fiber electrical efficiency is ~30%, CO₂ is ~10%.
Fiber laser vs plasma. Plasma cuts much thicker steel (up to 80 mm) but with a 1–3 mm kerf and significant heat-affected zone. For parts thinner than 20 mm where edge quality matters, fiber laser is always better.
Fiber laser vs waterjet. Waterjet can cut almost anything (including glass, stone, composites). For metal sheet under 20 mm, fiber is 5–10× faster and produces cleaner, heat-treatable edges. Waterjet still wins for heat-sensitive alloys (titanium sheet), composites, and very thick material.
Fiber laser vs shearing / punching. Shearing is cheaper per linear meter on straight cuts, but can't handle contours. Punching is fast for repetitive holes but requires expensive tooling for custom geometries. Fiber laser handles any geometry with zero tooling.
| Material | Max thickness | Typical kerf | Edge quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild steel (A36, 1018) | 20 mm | 0.15–0.25 mm | ISO 9013 Range 2 (smooth, minimal dross) | Oxygen assist for thick, nitrogen for weld-ready edges |
| Stainless 304 / 316 | 16 mm | 0.10–0.20 mm | Mirror-bright with N₂ | Nitrogen assist always — oxygen causes oxide scale |
| Aluminum 5052 / 6061 | 12 mm | 0.15–0.25 mm | Clean, slight dross on underside | Can be deburred or laser-finished depending on spec |
| Copper C110 | 6 mm | 0.20–0.30 mm | Fair — slight discoloration at edge | High reflectivity — we use anti-reflection heads |
| Brass C260 | 8 mm | 0.15–0.25 mm | Good | Oxide-free edge with nitrogen |
| Galvanized steel | 3 mm | 0.15–0.20 mm | Zinc vapor requires ventilation | Pre-galvanized only — pre-finished paint will burn at edge |
| Titanium Gr2 | 6 mm | 0.20 mm | Argon-shrouded cut for aerospace | Specialty — budget extra 2 days lead |
Materials thicker than these maxima route to plasma (for steel) or waterjet (for everything else).
Laser cutting reads 2D outlines. Send DXF (R14 or later) or DWG of the unfolded flat pattern. If you only have STEP, tell us which faces are the "flat" view — we'll unfold in-house for $50.
"6061-T6 aluminum 3 mm" or "304 stainless 1.5 mm" must appear clearly. Saves one round-trip question.
Any cutout or hole must be a closed polyline (or circle), not a series of line segments. Open geometry causes lead-in errors.
A slot narrower than the sheet thickness won't clear properly — two parallel cuts fuse. For 3 mm steel, minimum slot width is 3 mm.
Holes closer than 1.5× sheet thickness from an edge cause edge collapse during cutting. Move the hole inward or add material to the edge.
Put bend lines on a separate DXF layer (e.g., "BEND_UP" and "BEND_DOWN"). We transfer these to the press brake program.
Laser cutting cost is dominated by three factors: cutting time (a function of perimeter length and thickness), material consumption (rectangle of sheet used), and programming setup.
| Job size | Typical pricing | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype (1-10 parts) | $50-300 / part + material | 3-4 days |
| Small production (10-100) | $5-50 / part + material | 4-6 days |
| Production batch (100-1000) | $1-15 / part + material | 5-8 days |
| Large run (1000+) | Quote per-job | 7-14 days |
We automatically nest multiple parts on one sheet to minimize material waste. Small or irregular parts often pack together — tell us if timing allows batching your job with another customer's run (usually saves 15-25%).
Upload your DXF or STEP flat pattern. With you receive a quote with material consumption, cutting time, and delivery date.
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