Definition
Laser cutting uses a focused, high-power laser beam to melt, burn or vaporize material along a programmed path, typically to cut flat sheet metal into a profile. It is valued for producing intricate, precise profiles quickly without the tooling investment a punch or die would need.
Why laser cutting scales differently from milling
Cycle time depends mainly on the total cut length and material thickness, not on shape complexity the way a milled pocket does, which is one reason laser cutting is often cheap for intricate flat profiles compared with an equivalent milled feature.
Where it appears on the drawing
Implied by a flat sheet metal part with a cut profile, often specified as a DXF or similar 2D outline rather than a full 3D model.
Common mistakes
Assuming laser-cut edges need no further tolerance consideration; kerf width, heat-affected zone, and edge squareness can matter for a tight-tolerance or cosmetic application and may need to be called out explicitly.
Cycle time depends mainly on the total cut length and material thickness, not on shape complexity the way a milled pocket does, which is one reason laser cutting is often cheap for intricate flat profiles compared with an equivalent milled feature.
See how Blake reviews a partFrequently asked questions
Does laser cutting need a die like punching does?
No, that's one of its advantages: no dedicated tooling is needed, which makes it well suited to low-volume or frequently changing designs.
Is laser-cut edge quality always good enough as-is?
Usually acceptable for many uses, but a heat-affected zone and kerf width can matter for tight-tolerance or cosmetic requirements, sometimes requiring a secondary finishing step.
Does laser cutting work on any material?
Mainly on materials that absorb the laser's energy well and don't reflect it excessively; common sheet metals and some plastics work well, highly reflective metals can be more difficult.