Laser Cutting Stamping Parts Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication

Considerations when laser cutting design parts.

1. Close the outline.

All cut profiles must be closed. This is a more important rule. If the profile remains open, the part cannot be removed from the original sheet metal. In the case of engraving or etching, there is no need to close the outline.

2. Round hole.

Holes with tight tolerances can be drilled first with a laser and then with a drill, which creates small holes in the material and then guides the drill during the drilling process. The diameter of the perforation is about 2-3 mm.

3. Threaded holes.

The material thickness is at least 1.5mm. Steel melts and evaporates when laser cut. After cooling, the cut becomes hard and difficult to thread. Therefore, before thread cutting, it is recommended to drill with a laser and then drill.

4. Horn fillet.

Sheet metal parts can have sharp corners, but adding a chamfer (at least half the thickness of the material) at each angle makes the part cheaper.

5. Notches and lugs.

The smaller width of the notch is at least 1mm or the thickness of the material, whichever is greater. The length must not exceed five times the width. The lugs must be at least 3mm thick or twice the thickness of the material, or whichever is greater. As with notches, the length should be less than five times the width.

The distance between the notches must be at least 3mm, the smaller distance between the lugs must be 1mm or the material thickness is larger. Parts may deform if the rules are not followed.

6. Multiple parts or thin parts.

When cutting multiple parts on the same sheet metal, the distance between them is not less than the material thickness. If the parts are too close together or if the part is cut too thin, it can burn material between the two cut lines. 

Surface Treatment