Cutting Technologies Ltd

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is required to produce a quotation?

The basic information we need is an image of the component(s) to be cut, the material type and thickness, the quantity required and the delivery address. Oh, and your contact details so we can email / fax / phone the quote to you.

How long will it take to produce a quotation?

We can normally quote same day / next day. However, if the potential job is a large project with lots of different materials or processes it may take us a little longer.

What file types can be used?

We can accept most file types including Autocad, Coreldraw, Illustrator, Acrobat, Solidworks, Google Sketchup etc. We can also work with faxed drawings, fag packet sketches and previously made parts.

With regard to the file types for cutting & engraving - we tend to need vector graphics for cutting and raster graphics for laser engraving, although we can convert various formats.

Do we supply material?

We stock a huge range of materials including Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Zintec, Brass, Copper, Acrylic, Polypropylene, MDF, Plywood - the list goes on!

We also cut our customer's material, and we're used to storing it safely for batch work etc.

Is there a minimum order value?

Whether we cut / engrave a one-off or a thousand the amount of time taken to raise a job in the office is about the same, so yes. Typically we charge a minimum of £50 for each job we do.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept debit card / credit card payments by phone or in person, cheques and bank transfers. Accounts are available for companies that meet our credit insurance company's conditions.

How long will a job take?

We can deliver a typical order in 3-4 days (high volume jobs obviously take longer). Don't be afraid to ask us if you need something quickly - we've been known to deliver the same day.

Can we deliver to London / Edinburgh / etc.?

Absolutely - we deliver all over the UK using same day and overnight carriers. The price we quote you will include delivery costs, so no nasty surprises when you get the invoice!

Can we fold / weld / paint components?

We don't do any "secondary operations" in-house, but we do have customers who are experts in this type of work, so we can get it done for you.

Can we cut MDF?

Yes - up to 25mm thick. We cut a lot of MDF for architectural applications such as decorative panels for offices, restaurants, and even for the stage.

Can we cut Acrylic?

We certainly can - acrylic was one of the first materials cut on an industrial laser. The edge quality is excellent, and engraved acrylic looks terrific.

Can we cut Card?

Yes - have a look at our examples page

Can we cut Leather?

We cut and engrave leather for clothes designers, hand bag manufacturers, and even the fetish scene!

Can we engrave Metals?

Most metals, but not all. We can engrave anodised aluminium, and we can use an enamel type substance on Stainless Steel, Mild Steel and even brass to some extent.

Can we cut more than one layer at a time?

The eternal question! The general answer is no, we have to cut individual layers, but there are some exceptions for very thin materials etc.

Can we cut to print registration?

Yes we can - we frequently cut pre-printed sheets and cut holes and slots in pre-formed panels.

Can we cut blind holes with lasers?

Unfortunately we can't. The molten material has to be ejected from the bottom of the cut, otherwise you end up with something you'd rather not have!

What's the thinnest material we can process?

We can process down to about foil thickness, although we have to be careful because gas pressure can distort the material during the cut. We can cut card and paper using our lower powered lasers; as always ask us if you have a particular application.

What's the thickest material we can process?

It really depends on the material (see the chart here). Remember profiling can cut thicker in Mild Steel, and waterjet runs out of steam at about 200mm thick, regardless of the material type.

Is the edge square?

Compared to techniques such as plasma, laser & waterjet cut edges are very square. However, there can be a slight taper as the material gets thicker.

Is the edge of stainless steel clean?

Lasers are much better at cutting stainless steel than they were even 5 years ago. The main difference is the ability to cut with Nitrogen regardless of the thickness. Nitrogen does not deplete the chromium from the cut edge, and the edge is not oxidised, therefore the edge is very clean and discolouration free.

How large a part can we cut?

The maximum size on our in-house machines is 3000x1500mm. We can get larger items cut, but we have to sub-contract the work.

How small a part can we cut?

This depends on the material thickness, material type, and the amount of detail required in the finished part. It's better to send us  a sketch so we can have a look, but considering we cut earrings in acrylic, we can probably help!

Which plastics can be lasercut?

The answer is most plastics will cut. However, for health & safety reasons there are very few we would actually process here at Cutting Technologies. Ask us and we'll suggest the best method of processing.

Does lasercutting affect the cut edge?

It depends on the type of material, but in general any thermal process will affect the base material to some extent. Ask us and we'll let you know the extent.