Sheet Cutting Services
Upload your CAD files to get an instant quote for laser cutting or waterjet cut prototypes and production parts. No minimums.
What is Sheet Cutting?
Sheet cutting is a category of processes that slices into flat stock material following a profile to produce a shape. Sheet stock is cut using a high-powered CNC laser or waterjet. The material’s gauge determines the thickness of the part. From a one-off batch to mass production, custom designs can be cut in various materials ranging from plastics, elastomers, composites, metals, and more. Sheet cutting is also typical for blank preparation in other manufacturing processes like sheet metal fabrication or metal stamping.
Rapid Manufacture’s sheet cutting service can cut just about any material using lasers and waterjet capabilities. From clear acrylic panels to thick tool steel, Rapid Manufacture’s manufacturing marketplace offers a one-stop-shop solution for any project with instant quoting and a wide selection of materials.
Rapid Manufacturing Online Quotation System
Upload your design files to our instant quote platform and receive pricing, lead times and DFM details for Sheet Cutting instantly. We specialize in sheet metal cutting and processing, providing adaptable production and shipping solutions to meet your product development needs.
Rapid Manufacture Sheet Cutting Sizes and Tolerances
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Blank Size | Rapid Manufacture has access to platforms up to 10’ x 20’ for laser cutting and waterjet cutting. However, many sheet stock sizes commonly cap out at 48” x 96” (4’ x 8’) or smaller. |
Standard Lead Time | 3 business days |
Sheet Thickness | 0.020″ up to beyond 1.00″ depending on materials. Thinner or thicker stock may be possible through manual quoting. |
General Tolerances | For full details on tolerances offered by Rapid Manufacture’s sheet cutting service, including edge to edge tolerance and taper, please consult our manufacturing standards. |
How Rapid Manufacture Sheet Cutting Works
Rapid Manufacture’s sheet cutting services utilize the top laser cutting and waterjet suppliers in the US and globally. Fabricators first convert CAD and drawing data into machine code. A laser cutting, waterjet, or plasma cutting machine will then precisely remove sheet material. If any assembly or post-processing is required, our manufacturers will provide turnkey finishing to the part.
The efficiency and high precision of these CNC-controlled cutting tools, coupled with Rapid Manufacture’s variety of materials, range of suppliers, and post-processing options means you can get parts for any application. Sheet cut applications include aerospace, automotive, energy, industrial, medical, dental, art, robotics, and consumer products.
Sheet Cutting Materials
Aluminum 6061 T6, Aluminum 2024-T3, Aluminum 5052 H32, Aluminum 7075 T6, Aluminum MIC6
Brass 260, Brass 353 H02, Brass 464 H01, Bearing Bronze 932 M07, Bronze 220 H02, Bronze 510 H08 (spring) Silicon Bronze 655
Copper 101, Copper 110
EVA Foam, Polyurethane Foam (PU), Silicone Foam
Buna-N Rubber Blends, EPDM, Silicone Rubber, Paper Fiber, PTFE
De-Tabbing, Deburr, and Finishing
Parts will be separated, the tab will be ground off, and all burrs will be removed. Additionally, parts are cleaned to remove discoloration, surface debris, manufacturer markings, and scratches.
Parts will be separated from each other, and the source sheet and any vestigial tabs will be ground off. The area where tabs are removed may have a slightly different texture or appearance than the rest of the part.
Your parts will be separated from each other and from the source sheet. There may be a leftover vestigial tab from where the parts were connected to the source material sheet.
Reduce costs by receiving the parts tabbed together on the source sheet, to each other, or a support structure. You are then responsible for separating the parts from the sheet. Laser and waterjet cut parts may have fine burrs after cutting.
Parts are finished in a blasting cabinet with a high-pressure stream of fine glass beads, typically using 80-grit media applied between 70-100 psi. This gives the surface of the parts a uniform matte or satin-like cosmetic appearance.
Parts are finished in a vibratory or rotary tumbler with tumbling media. This provides an even stippled finish over the face of the entire part. It also tends to round sharp corners and edges.
What Other Finishes are Available for Sheet Cut Parts?
A standard finish is available for all materials. No additional post-processing is performed, leaving the surface as-is after your choice of de-tabbing and deburring is performed. Plastics and cosmetically finished products may have an overwrap left on the faces for production. It is common for pre-polished, brushed, or textured materials to have only one side cosmetically finished.
Metal parts are sanded by hand, abrasive belt sander, or timesaver, in the direction of the grain to create a uniform finish. This is also called linear finishing.
Metal parts are sanded by hand, orbital sander, or timesaver, in a random pattern or swirl to create a uniform finish. This is also called a random swirl finish.
Like our other services, Rapid Manufacture can offer turnkey finishing services like anodizing, chem-film, metal plating, powder coating, heat treating, passivation, and even multiple custom finishes. See samples and learn more by visiting our Metal Finishes Gallery.
Design Tip: Use Standard Gauges
Sheet cutting depends on stock material sizes to provide economical and quick-turn parts. Using common stock sizes or standard gauges for the material you are designing around is necessary to prevent delays in material sourcing.
If a design thickness is within the tolerance range of a standard gauge, Rapid Manufacture will source that standard gauge for the project. Thickness tolerances are independent of cutting tolerances, as they rely on the raw stock material’s tolerance range.
Some processes like plasma cutting, flame-cutting, and waterjet cutting can slice through very thick stock material but may require a manual quote review. Typically, the thicker the stock the less likely a large sheet size is available.
Ready to Get a Sheet Cutting Quote?
Begin with a prototype, transition to small batches, and end with precise parts made just for your project. Every solution, designed for your needs.
