Laser cutting
Laser cutting is a thermal cutting process in which a focused laser beam melts the material along a programmed contour and an assist gas blows the melt out of the kerf. It cuts flat parts and blanks from sheet, plate and tube quickly and without tooling, in structural steel, stainless steel and aluminium.
Request a quoteAt a glance
Typical parts
- Flat parts, plates and flanges
- Brackets and blanks for bending
- Covers and panels
- Tube parts with cut-outs and holes
- Blanks for machining or welded assemblies
Quantities
- Single parts to series
- No tooling cost
Inspection
- Contour check with calipers, gauges or optical system
- Edge quality and perpendicularity to ISO 9013
- Machined features measured as CNC parts
Documents
- Dimensional report
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate
How laser cutting works
A fibre or CO2 laser source produces a beam that is focused to a small spot on the material surface. The beam melts the material along the programmed contour, and an assist gas, nitrogen or oxygen, blows the melt out of the cut. Nitrogen gives clean, oxide-free edges on stainless steel and aluminium; oxygen is used for faster cutting of structural steel. Tube lasers cut profiles and holes into round and rectangular tubes.
Dimensional and surface inspection
Laser cut parts are checked against the drawing or DXF contour with calipers, gauges or an optical measuring system. Edge quality and perpendicularity are assessed with reference to ISO 9013 where the drawing specifies it. Machined features on laser cut blanks are measured as for any CNC machined part.
Standard documents are a dimensional report and a material certificate to EN 10204 3.1. More on the quality page.
Materials for laser cutting
Structural steel
- S235JR
- S355J2
Stainless steel
- 1.4301
- 1.4404
Aluminium
- EN AW-5754
- EN AW-6082
Wear-resistant steel
- 400 HB and 500 HB grades
There is no fixed size or thickness limit. Send us your drawing and we will define the right production route and confirm feasibility. General tolerances to ISO 9013 are common for thermal cuts.
Is this the right process?
When laser cutting is the right choice
- The part is flat or a tube profile, cut from sheet, plate or tube
- No tooling should be paid, and quantities vary from single parts to series
- Many different contours are needed, for example in a kit of parts
When another process is better
- Heat-sensitive materials, very thick plates or edges that must stay unaffected: waterjet cutting
- Parts with 3D features, threads or precise bores: cut the blank by laser, then CNC milling
- Hardened tool parts with fine contours: wire EDM
Related pages
- CNC millingCNC milled parts in steel, stainless steel and aluminium from machine shops in Türkiye: housings, plates, brackets and machined castings, with CMM reports.
- Secondary operationsHeat treatment, galvanising, powder coating, KTL e-coating, painting and assembly for cast, forged and machined parts, managed by QProcess in the same order.
- Agricultural machineryGearbox housings, PTO shafts, hubs, brackets, counterweights and wear parts for agricultural machinery manufacturers, produced by manufacturers in Türkiye.
- Construction and mining equipmentPins, bushings, hubs, housings, counterweights and wear parts for construction and mining equipment manufacturers, produced by manufacturers in Türkiye.
- Machinery and equipmentMachine bases, housings, shafts, gear blanks, guides and plastic wear parts for machinery and equipment manufacturers, produced by manufacturers in Türkiye.
Frequently asked questions
Do laser cut parts need tooling?
No. Laser cutting works directly from a 2D drawing or DXF file, so there is no tooling cost. This makes it suitable for prototypes, spare parts and series alike.
What is the heat-affected zone and does it matter?
Laser cutting heats a narrow zone along the cut edge, which can harden the edge slightly on some steels. For most parts this does not matter. If the edge is later welded, bent tightly or must stay unaffected, we discuss the edge requirement or propose waterjet cutting instead.
Which file format do you need?
A 2D drawing in PDF and, if available, a DXF or DWG file of the contour. For parts that are later bent or machined, the 3D model in STEP helps.
Send your drawing. You get a quotation in 3 to 5 working days.
Your drawings are handled confidentially; NDA on request.