Laser Metal Cutting: What the Price Depends On

What the cutting price includes

The price of cutting sheet steel is set by the material, thickness, cut length and number of parts. Contour complexity and edge requirements are counted separately. We calculate the cost from your drawing, so there is no indicative figure per metre or per part here.

Two parts of the same weight can cost different amounts: one has a plain rectangular outline, the other dozens of holes and narrow slots. The same amount of metal is cut, but the machine does a different amount of work.

Cost factors

The table lists what the price depends on and what to put in the enquiry so that we take it into account.

The table describes factors, not amounts. We give the price after reviewing the drawing.

Thickness and steel grade

Our laser cuts carbon steel up to 25 mm thick, and our plasma up to 50 mm. The maximum sheet size is 2 × 12 m on the laser and 2 × 6 m on the plasma.

For other steel grades we confirm the maximum thickness for your order. So state the steel grade and thickness in the enquiry, not just the part size.

We also cut stainless steel and aluminium: the customer supplies such metal, and we confirm the thickness for the order.

Laser or plasma: which is cheaper

On thick plate plasma is more economical, while on thin and medium sheet with a complex contour, many holes and narrow slots the laser is the better fit. The laser kerf is narrower, the edge is smoother and the sheet warps less.

If both technologies would work, we compare them on accuracy, edge condition and cost and recommend the better one. A fuller comparison is on the page about plasma and laser sheet metal cutting.

Contour, holes and part count

Cut length and the number of piercings affect cost more than part weight does. A flange with one central hole and a plate with forty bolt holes cost different amounts even if the steel is the same thickness.

Always give the quantity: the batch calculation depends on it.

Edge preparation for galvanizing and painting

After thermal cutting the edge carries dross, burrs and an oxide film. Before galvanizing and powder coating it is cleaned back to bare metal and sharp edges are broken. It is better to say so in the enquiry up front. Who exactly cleans the edge is set out in the contract.

Parts for galvanizing also need clipped rib and gusset corners and holes for air and zinc. The rules for holes and joints are in the article Designing for hot-dip galvanizing.

What happens after cutting

Cut parts can be bent, welded, galvanized or painted within one company. We bend sheet up to 25 mm thick and up to 12 m long on a 2000 t press, described in Sheet metal bending. Galvanizing is done in our own 13,000 × 1,600 × 3,200 mm bath: hot-dip galvanizing.

For parts that will be assembled into units and structures, see Steel fabrication; how the price of a finished structure is built up is in the article How much steel fabrication costs.

What to send for a quote

To get a quote, send:

• contour drawings in DXF or DWG at 1:1 with no extra lines, or a sketch with dimensions and hole diameters;
• the steel grade, sheet thickness and number of parts;
• edge requirements and, if the project refers to it, the ISO 9013 cut quality class;
• what happens to the parts next: bending, welding, galvanizing or painting;
• the desired lead time and delivery address.

A sample enquiry: “Steel flange, 20 mm plate, 40 pcs, 12 bolt holes, then hot-dip galvanizing, DXF attached”. A price can be worked out from that without further questions.

No drawings? A sketch is enough, and we can produce KM and KMD drawings for you: Steel structure design.