How are Laser Cutting Costs Calculated?
As with any specialised service, laser cutting costs can vary between providers. However, several key factors consistently influence pricing, including:
Material
For flatbed laser cutting GF Laser generally supply the material for the customer such as mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium. GF Laser obtain their steel from a number of local stockholders and the price usually changes at the start of each month. Whilst we keep stock material in place the price we charge from month to month will vary. Material generally makes up 50% of the cost of laser cutting so designing parts with material utilisation in mind can save a lot of money. For example, the standard sheet size we stock is 2500mm x 1250mm, therefore parts designed to fit into this sheet with minimal wastage will of course be more cost effective.
Nitrogen or Oxygen?
These two gases make up the bulk of the laser cutting gas consumption and are used to assist the laser in cutting the material. Generally Nitrogen is used for stainless steel and aluminium and Oxygen is used for mild steel. Nitrogen cutting is far more expensive then Oxygen and more gas is used per millimetre cut. Therefore, cutting stainless and aluminium will always attract a higher cost.
Part profile
Because GF Laser cost per hour then a part that is thick, has lots of holes and complicated contours will be more expensive than a part that is simple and quick to cut.
Volume
If you want just one part then this will be more expensive, per part, than 1000 parts. The reason for this is pretty straightforward as the fixed laser cutting costs such as CAD preparation and machine setup will reduce per part as the volume increases.
Delivery Costs
GF Laser operate their own delivery vehicles and utilise an overnight pallet delivery service. Pricing for these will be dependent on pallet or box dimension, weight and also speed of delivery.
Our Services
At GF Laser, we offer 24/7 laser cutting with rapid turnaround times. Our capabilities include cutting mild steel up to 20mm thick, aluminium and stainless steel up to 12mm, and brass up to 4mm. We also specialise in precision cutting of pre-galvanised mild steel up to 5mm. Our largest flatbed laser cutting machine features a cutting area of 4000mm x 2000mm, allowing us to handle large-scale projects with ease.
We provide the following laser cutting services:
- 5 Axis Laser Cutting Service
- Flatbed Metal Laser Cutting Service
- Sheet Metal Bending Service
- 3D Laser Scanning Service
- Laser Prototyping Service
- Metal Powder Coating Service
- Formed Tube Laser Cutting Service
- 24 Hour Laser Cutting Service
Contact Us Today
Once you have reviewed the information above and would like to request a quote, please contact our sales team on 01384 245095 or submit an enquiry via our contact form.
FAQs for Laser Cutting Costs
Is there a minimum order charge?
Yes, our minimum order charge is £70
Can you advise on ways to reduce costs?
Certainly. Our team can suggest design or material changes that may lower costs without compromising quality. We’re happy to collaborate during the design phase.
Do you charge extra for cutting complex shapes?
Yes, complex geometries that require longer cutting times or additional setup may increase the cost. We will highlight this in your quote if applicable.
Do I need to include a CAD in my enquiry?
Yes, we prefer to receive production-ready CAD files, ideally in DXF, DWG, or STEP format. However, if you have a physical drawing or sketch, our team can convert it into a suitable CAD file to proceed with your project.