Guides
Practical help for preparing drawings and specifying sheet metal parts.
Preparing a DXF for laser cutting
A practical checklist for preparing a DXF file for laser cutting: scale, closed contours, duplicate lines, holes, text, bend lines and what to send with it.
Read the guideChoosing a material for laser cutting
How to choose between mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium and copper for laser-cut parts: where each works best, how edges and finishes differ, and cost.
Read the guideBend radius and flange length
Press brake design rules: inside bend radius, minimum flange length, holes near bends, bend relief and springback, with a worked 3 mm mild steel example.
Read the guideWhat drives laser cutting cost?
What decides the price of a laser-cut part: material, thickness, cut length, pierces, nesting, quantity and secondary operations, and how to cut the cost.
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