CNC Laser Cutting

A Practical Guide for Engineers Designing for Sheet Metal

CNC Laser Cutting Built for Precision and Speed

CNC laser cutting uses a computer-controlled, high-powered laser to cut precise profiles, holes, slots, and other features into sheet and plate metal.

 

Because the process is digitally controlled and requires no physical cutting tool, CNC laser cutting is ideal for producing complex geometries with high accuracy and repeatability.

 

Budde’s CNC laser cutting capabilities help manufacturers:

01

Produce intricate profiles and complex geometries

02

Maintain accuracy across repeat production runs

03

Reduce material waste

04

Minimize secondary processing

05

Move quickly from CAD files to finished components

Why Use CNC Laser Cutting?

Complex Geometry Without Complex Tooling

CNC laser cutting can produce intricate contours, holes, slots, and cutouts directly from digital part files, giving greater design flexibility without requiring dedicated tooling for every new profile.

Computer-controlled cutting makes CNC laser cutting well suited for parts that need to remain consistent from the first component through repeat production.

Digital nesting allows parts to be arranged efficiently on a sheet, helping reduce scrap and make better use of raw material.

Because geometry is driven by CAD/CAM data, design changes can often be incorporated without creating new hard tooling. That makes laser cutting particularly valuable during prototyping and product development.

Cutting the blank correctly is only the beginning. Budde can move laser-cut components into bending, welding, assembly, and other fabrication operations without adding unnecessary supplier handoffs.

Our CNC Laser Cutting Capabilities

Budde supports projects throughout the manufacturing lifecycle, and we combine CNC-controlled equipment with experienced fabrication teams to accommodate a wide range of materials, thicknesses, and part requirements.

Prototypes and New Product Development

Quickly turn CAD designs into physical parts for fit, function, and design validation.

Produce complex components without investing in dedicated profile tooling.

Maintain consistent geometry across recurring orders and production runs.

Combine laser cutting with forming, welding, and assembly to simplify your supply chain.

CapabilityBudde CNC Laser Cutting
Maximum Mild Steel Thickness1.000 in / 25.4 mm
Maximum Stainless Steel Thickness0.875 in / 22.3 mm
Maximum Aluminum Thickness0.750 in / 19 mm
Maximum Copper Thickness0.313 in / 8 mm
Maximum Brass Thickness0.313 in / 8 mm
Positioning Accuracy0.002 in / 0.05 mm
Repeatability0.001 in / 0.025 mm
Additional CapabilitiesThick plate fiber cutting and etching

Actual achievable tolerances and cutting capabilities depend on material, thickness, geometry, feature size, and other part requirements. Contact Budde to review your application.

Materials We Laser Cut

Budde’s CNC laser cutting capabilities support a range of commonly specified metals, including:

Mild Steel

A versatile and cost-effective option for brackets, frames, equipment components, and general industrial applications.

Stainless Steel

A strong, corrosion-resistant material commonly specified for equipment, enclosures, food-processing applications, and components exposed to demanding environments.

Aluminum

A lightweight, corrosion-resistant option well suited for enclosures, equipment components, transportation applications, and assemblies where reducing weight matters.

Copper and Brass

Specialty materials used for electrical, architectural, decorative, and other applications requiring their specific conductive or aesthetic properties.

From Laser Cutting to Finished Fabrication

One advantage of working with Budde is that CNC laser cutting doesn’t have to be an isolated operation.

 

Laser-cut parts can move directly into additional fabrication processes, including:

 

  • Press brake forming and bending
  • Welding
  • Assembly and weldments
  • CAD/CAM design support
  • Inspection and quality control

Managing multiple processes with one fabrication partner reduces handoffs and helps maintain dimensional consistency as a component moves from a flat blank to a completed part or assembly.

 

For parts that require both cutting and forming, controlling the processes together can also help reduce variation associated with material behavior, bend locations, and tolerance stack-up.

We can help make your vision a reality.

Since 1922, Budde has helped manufacturers solve complex metal fabrication challenges.

 

We bring CNC laser cutting together with engineering support, precision forming, welding, assembly, and inspection to help customers move from concept to completed components with fewer handoffs.

 

Send us your drawings, CAD files, material requirements, quantities, and critical tolerances. Our team can review your project for manufacturability and provide a competitive quote.