Plasma cutting from independent machine shops
An ionized gas arc cuts conductive metal plate fast and cheaply, the best value on medium-to-thick steel, stainless, and aluminum. Upload a drawing and hear back from shops set up for plasma profile cutting.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
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Plasma cutting shops on OpenSpindle
Real shops that profile-cut plate on CNC plasma tables. See their equipment and talk to the person making your part.
★ Top rated
"Precision Waterjet & CNC Plasma Cutting for Any Material, Any Design."
"Full-Service Metal Fabrication & Waterjet Cutting Near Austin"
"Precision CNC Routing, Laser & Plasma Cutting in San Antonio"
"Heavy metal fabrication and steel distribution in Central Florida"
"Vision. Innovation. Precision."
"Precision machining and custom fabrication for defense and aerospace"
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.
Plate our plasma shops cut
Plasma cuts electrically conductive metals only. Common plate is below; it cannot cut plastics, wood, glass, or composites, which need laser or waterjet.
Specs
Tolerances you can expect
| Feature | With a drawing | No drawing supplied |
|---|---|---|
| Profile (conventional plasma) | ±0.03 in | Shop standard |
| Profile (HD plasma) | ±0.01 in | Shop standard |
| Cut edge squareness | 2-5° bevel typical | As-cut |
| Hole diameter | ±0.02 in | As-cut, drill for tighter |
Plasma runs looser than laser or waterjet. Expect a heat-affected zone and a slight edge bevel; high-definition (HD) plasma tightens both. If you need laser-grade edges or a square wall, call it out and shops will quote the right process.
Get a better quote
Getting a quote that comes back fast
| Instead of | Send this |
|---|---|
| "Cut this plate, need a quote" | "A36 steel, 1/2 in plate, profile per DXF, qty 25" |
| "Some holes in it" | "⌀0.53 holes, ±0.02, drill if plasma cannot hold it" |
| "Clean edges" | "HD plasma or laser edge on the visible face, dross removed" |
Send a flat DXF or DWG with material and thickness. Say where the edge shows and whether holes are drilled or plasma-cut; that sets the process and the price.
Applications
Industries we serve
Plasma shops on OpenSpindle profile-cut brackets, gussets, base plates, and weldment blanks where thick steel and low cost matter more than a laser-grade edge.
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 plasma cutting. The design choices that move your price and lead time.
Thickness picks the process
Under about 1/8 in, laser gives a better edge for similar money. From 1/4 in up, plasma is faster and cheaper than laser or waterjet. Match the process to your plate.
Small holes fight the arc
Plasma struggles to hold round holes smaller than about 1.5x the plate thickness. Size holes generously, or plan to drill the tight ones as a secondary op.
Leave stock for a machined edge
The cut edge has a heat-affected zone and a slight bevel. If a face gets machined or bolted flat, leave a little stock so the shop can clean it up.
Nest to cut scrap cost
Plasma is priced on cut length and plate used. Simple outlines that nest tightly on standard plate cut cheaper than parts that waste material between them.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Plasma is the cheapest, fastest way to profile-cut medium-to-thick conductive plate, roughly 1/4 in and up. Laser gives a cleaner, more precise edge on thinner material; waterjet holds tight tolerances with no heat but runs slower and costs more on thick steel. For structural steel blanks and weldment parts, plasma usually wins on price.
Get plasma cutting quotes
Upload a drawing once and compare quotes from independent plasma cutting shops.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential