Get quotes for custom plasma cut parts
An ionized gas arc cuts conductive metal plate fast and cheaply, the best value on medium-to-thick steel, stainless, and aluminum. Upload your drawing and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential
How OpenSpindle works
We tap our partner network. You get the best-match quote.
Upload your part and we tap our network of partner shops to get you a competitive, all-in quote that is the best match for the job.
One upload
A CAD file or a sketch. That is the whole ask on your end.
Your best-match quote
Sourced from the partner shops set up for your exact part.
All-in, on your timeline
Machining, finishing, and shipping detailed to your turnaround.
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.
Design rules
How to design for Plasma Cutting
Plasma cuts thick conductive metal fast and cheap, with a wider kerf and more edge bevel than laser.
| Design rule | Typical spec | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best thickness range | ~0.25 to 2 in steel | Plasma shines on thick plate where laser slows down. |
| Min hole diameter | >= 1.5 to 2x thickness | Small holes come out tapered and rough. |
| Kerf | ~0.06 to 0.15 in | Wider than laser; account for it and for edge bevel. |
| Edge squareness | expect some bevel and dross | Secondary grinding cleans critical edges. |
| Tolerance | +/- 0.02 to 0.05 in | Looser than laser or waterjet; call out critical dims. |
Typical starting points; a shop confirms against your plate and cut quality needs.
Process comparison
Plasma cutting vs other processes
When another cutting process fits better than plasma.
| Process | Best for | Typical volume | Choose it over Plasma Cutting when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Cutting | Thin sheet, precise features, clean edge | Prototype to production | The material is thin and you need precision and a clean edge. |
| Waterjet Cutting | No heat-affected zone, any material | Prototype to production | You cannot accept a heat-affected edge or need a non-conductive material cut. |
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
Need a different process?
Get a quote for these capabilities 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 your drawing and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential