price-of-laser-cutting
Laser cutting price is not fixed. It is calculated based on machine runtime, raw material, assist gas, setup charge and secondary operations. The quotation varies greatly between prototypes, small batches and mass production.
1. Main Factors That Affect Laser Cutting Price
Material Type & Thickness
This is the primary factor determining the cost.
- Mild steel: Low cutting cost, fast speed, usually uses oxygen or air as assist gas.
- Stainless steel: Requires nitrogen for clean edge, higher gas consumption and slower cutting speed. Grade 316 stainless steel costs more than 304.
- Aluminum, copper & brass: High laser reflectivity, demands higher laser power, increases processing cost.
- Thicker sheets take much longer cutting time. Cost rises non-linearly as thickness increases.
Cutting Contour & Hole Quantity
Pricing is mainly based on total cutting length, not part area. Each hole needs a piercing operation. Parts with hundreds of tiny holes consume extra machine time and gas, raising the total price, even if the overall size is small. Complex geometry with many sharp corners also adds processing time.
Production Quantity & Setup Cost
Every new order includes CAD checking, programming, sheet nesting and machine setup.
- Prototypes / small orders: Setup cost is allocated to few pieces, resulting in high unit price. Minimum order charge often applies.
- Mass production: Fixed setup cost is spread over many parts, unit cost drops significantly. Good nesting layout improves material utilization and cuts scrap loss.
Assist Gas Cost
- Air: Low cost, slight oxidation on cut edge, suitable for non-critical parts.
- Oxygen: Used for carbon steel, moderate cost.
- Nitrogen: High cost, delivers bright oxide-free edges, widely used for precision stainless steel and aluminum components.
Post-processing & Extra Requirements
Additional operations add extra charges: Deburring, polishing, pickling, passivation, bending, welding, surface coating, strict tolerance inspection. Tight tolerance requirements also increase inspection cost.
Supplier & Lead Time
Expedited delivery usually brings premium cost. Local vs overseas manufacturers also create price gaps.
2. General Price Reference
Note: For reference only, final quotation depends on drawing details.
- Thin stainless steel shims & simple prototypes: $0.1–$3 per piece
- Medium sheet structural metal parts: $1–$8 per piece
- Thick plate or complex multi-hole components: higher price Machine hourly rate for fiber laser: roughly $100–175 per hour.
3. Tips to Lower Laser Cutting Cost
- Optimize CAD design: Reduce unnecessary small holes and tight internal radii.
- Maximize nesting efficiency to save raw material.
- Relax tolerance where function allows.
- Combine multiple parts in one batch to share setup fees.
- Select proper assist gas: Use air for non-visible, non-corrosion-critical parts.
- Compare laser cutting vs photo etching: For ultra-thin foil with dense micro holes, photo etching may be cheaper and more consistent.
4. Typical Applications
Sheet metal prototypes, metal shims, shielding parts, perforated panels, custom brackets, filter frames, enclosures.
