Laser cutting from independent machine shops
Flat parts cut from sheet metal on fiber lasers, fast and accurate with a narrow kerf and a clean edge. Ideal for thin-to-medium gauge and high part counts, and the first step before bending. Upload a DXF and hear back from shops set up for laser work.
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Laser cutting shops on OpenSpindle
Real shops that cut sheet metal on fiber and CO2 lasers. See their equipment and talk to the person making your part.
"Multi material experiential and retail fabrication in Brooklyn"
"Custom metal fabrication and precision machining in Baton Rouge"
"Retail store fixtures, POP displays, and architectural millwork built under one roof"
"CNC Routing, Laser Cutting & Engraving in Fort Worth"
"Multi-Material Contract Manufacturing in Milwaukee"
"Waterjet, Fiber Laser & Press-Brake Fabrication in Lake Elsinore, CA"
How it works
How OpenSpindle Works
Upload your files
Share your CAD files or drawings (STEP, DXF, DWG, PDF) and note material, tolerances, and quantity. It takes a couple of minutes.
Get matched quotes
We route your part to shops with the machines and materials to make it, and they send competitive quotes.
Compare and choose
Weigh quotes, methods, and lead times side by side, then pick the shop that fits your budget and timeline.
Sheet stock our laser shops cut
Laser cutting runs flat sheet and plate. Common metals are below; reflective alloys want a fiber laser. If yours is not here, ask when you request a quote.
Specs
Tolerances you can expect
| Feature | With a drawing | No drawing supplied |
|---|---|---|
| Cut edge position | ±0.003 in | ISO 2768 Medium |
| Hole diameter | ±0.005 in | ISO 2768 Medium |
| Kerf width | ~0.006-0.015 in | Set by thickness and power |
| Edge quality | 32-125 Ra | As-cut, light discoloration |
Fiber lasers hold ±0.003 to ±0.005 in on thin-to-medium gauge with a narrow kerf and a small heat-affected zone. Tolerances open up as thickness climbs; call out the critical edge and shops confirm before cutting.
Secondary operations
Inserts, hardware and finishing
Threads and inserts
Holes are cut in place; hardware like PEM inserts, standoffs, and nuts is pressed after cutting. Countersinks and taps are done as a secondary op.
Finishing
Applied after cutting and any bending. As-cut ships fastest; deburring, graining, and coatings are common on laser-cut metal.
| Finish | Materials | Adds | Can be applied with |
|---|---|---|---|
| As-cut | All | +0 days | Anything |
| Deburr / edge break | All metals | +1 day | Graining |
| Powder coat | Steel, aluminum | +3-5 days | After bending |
| Anodize | Aluminum, titanium | +3-5 days | Deburr first |
Laser edges carry a thin oxide or discoloration. If the part shows or gets coated, ask for a deburr and a clean edge so the finish takes evenly.
Get a better quote
Getting a quote that comes back fast
| Instead of | Send this |
|---|---|
| "Cut this bracket from sheet" | "5052-H32 aluminum, 0.100 in, flat pattern per DXF, qty 200" |
| "Some holes for mounting" | "4x ⌀0.20 in holes, ±0.005 on the bolt pattern per drawing" |
| "It gets bent after" | "3 bends, flat pattern supplied, or bend per the STEP model" |
Send a flat DXF for the cut and note any bends. If the part is formed, say so up front so the shop nests the flat pattern, not the finished part.
Applications
Industries we serve
Laser cutting shops on OpenSpindle produce brackets, panels, enclosures, and gaskets for demanding industries, including AS9100 and ISO 9001 shops.
More on OpenSpindle
Other capabilities
Need a different process? Browse shops for these too.
Designing for this process
What actually changes your quote
Not a definition of laser cutting. The design choices that move your price and lead time.
Thickness sets everything
Speed, kerf, and edge quality all track sheet thickness. Thin-to-medium gauge cuts fast and clean; every step thicker slows the cut and opens tolerances. Spec the thinnest gauge that carries the load.
Tiny holes cost more
A hole smaller than the material thickness is slow and can char the edge. Keep hole diameters at or above the sheet thickness where you can, or expect a drilled secondary op.
Nest for the sheet
Parts that pack tightly into a standard sheet waste less material. Odd shapes and oversized parts leave scrap you pay for. Simple outlines and shared edges cut cost on volume.
Reflective metals want fiber
Copper, brass, and aluminum reflect the beam. Fiber lasers handle them, older CO2 machines may not. Naming the alloy up front routes your part to a shop with the right laser.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Fiber lasers are the modern standard for metal and cut reflective alloys like copper, brass, and aluminum that used to give CO2 lasers trouble. CO2 lasers are still used for non-metals like acrylic, wood, and some plastics. Tell the shop your material and they route it to the right machine.
Get laser cutting quotes
Upload a DXF once and compare quotes from independent laser cutting shops.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential