Laser Cutting

Quick-Turn Laser Cutting Service

We Cut  Steel to 1” Thick

Stainless and Aluminum to ½” Thick

AR400/500 and Wearplate 

We can etch lines and text into the surface of the material.

Our 60 x 120-inch 6kW Mitsubishi 3015 GX-F Advanced fiber laser is accurate and produces high quality cuts.   

The heart of the system is the zoom cutting head that automatically adjusts the beam size and focal length to achieve the best quality cut on each material.   The cut is continuously monitored by an internal AI system that adjusts the cutting parameters to maintain optimal cutting conditions.    

Cutting 1” steel

Cutting 3/16” hot rolled HRPO steel.

Cutting 16 gauge galvanized steel

Cutting 1/4” aluminum

We Stock Common Materials

Our inventory of sheet stock enables us to respond rapidly:

  • Hot Rolled Steel

  • Cold Rolled Steel

  • Galvanized Steel

  • Stainless Steel

  • Aluminum

How Do You Get Your Parts Cut?

Contact us and we will promptly return a quote based on your request.

We can accept your CAD file or we can make a CAD model from your print or sketch. 

If you do not have a CAD File, we will create the file as a courtesy for simple parts.  We may include an estimate for creating the file for complex parts.   If we create the file, you will be supplied with a dimensioned print and asked to confirm it is correct before we cut metal.

No need to worry about formalities – we know how to work off of a napkin drawing!
We need to know is the material type, thickness and quantity needed.   

How Long Does It Take?

Simple parts cut from common material are often cut the same day that the print is approved and always within two business days.  

Additional operations may add time.

We include a time estimate in our quotes for large quantities, complex parts and parts from material that is not stocked.   We can usually get special materials in a few business days.

We Provide Immediate Services When Needed.  If you have an urgent request, please call 440-214-9018 to discuss how we can help.

Details for Part Designers

Tabs 

Small parts must be "tabbed" to keep them from falling out of the sheet into the scrap bin.   This photo shows .38" x 1.2" squares cut from 16-gauge galvanized steel.  The tab is visible in the center of the part.  

Larger parts less than about six inches in the smallest dimension must be tabbed to keep the part from "tipping up" on the laser table.   The laser could hit parts if they tip up. 

Tabs leave a small burr on the part when it is detached.   Unless specified, we will allow the laser software to automatically place the tabs.  If the burr is troublesome on a critical edge, the designer can specify the least important edges to locate the tabs. 

We welcome your CAD file if you have one.  There are some advantages if you prepare and submit the file because you will know exactly what will be cut and have a record for the future.  

Please adhere to these conventions:

  • Attach your CAD file in .dxf ASCII format

  • All CUT lines must be on Level 0

  • All ETCH lines must be on Level 1

  • All other levels are ignored

  • “Clutter” on Levels 0 or 1 will result in cutting errors

  • The part must be a closed shape

The laser will faithfully cut the part as drawn – missed corners, hanging lines, extraneous dots, etc. will be cut as drawn.

 

Nesting

Do NOT combine multiple parts into a single cut file.  

If multiple parts are needed, supply a separate CAD file for each.   

We have advanced nesting capabilities to combine multiple parts onto a single sheet.   We will nest your files together to cut the required quantity of each part.    The nester will optimize the material usage and will utilize larger wasted spaces like the center of circular cutouts for smaller parts. 

 

Review

We review all of the parts as we nest them.   Our software also has error proofing.  If we find a problem, we will do our best to identify it and advise how best to remedy it.     Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee we will catch every problem.

 

Artwork Files

There are many internet sites that provide .dxf files for artwork.    Experience has shown us these files are often loaded with defects.    If you want an artwork cut, we will attempt to load the file but more often than not, it will require extensive CAD work to produce a cuttable result.   We cannot provide the editing as a free service. 

Email your print, sketch or CAD file to info@metalfabricationtechnologies.com