Stainless Steels are steel alloys with a minimum of 11% chromium. The chromium adds a high degree of corrosion resistance, making the material suitable for applications ranging from chemical plants to cutlery (hence our banner!). There are various finishes available, from a dull grey mill finish, through a brush polished surface (DP1), to a mirror polished finish. The three main grades used today are 304 - general purpose, 316 - more corrosion resistant ("marine grade") and 430 - a slightly magnetic material.

Laser Cut Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel Laser Cutting is the second most common application here at Cutting Technologies. The cut quality is excellent using Nitrogen assist gas and the level of detail achievable higher than mild steel. It's obviously more expensive than mild steel, but its decorative finishes combined with its corrision resistant properties make it widely used across many industries. We laser cut stainless steel for industries ranging from Sign Manufacturers through Sheet Metal Workers to Pharmaceutical Plant Assemblers, and just about every industry in between. Stainless Steel laser cut business cards are very popular at the moment, so give us a call if you want an uber-trendy new image!

Examples
Technical
Quality

Lifesize laser cut stainless figures
Lifesize Laser Cut Stainless Steel figures courtesy of Will Nash. Very complex profiles were cut based on actual people in a large corporation. Will then formed neon lighting to match the profile, creating unique and very personal art. Laser Cutting is an excellent process, as just about anything that can be drawn can be cut.
Contact us if you have a concept for a new work of art - we have the skills and knowledge to turn your concept into a real-life thingy!

Stainless Magic Trick A Laser Cut and engraved 2mm Stainless Steel prop for a magic trick. This is the size of a credit card, and the material has been "rough sanded" after cutting to make the prop less slippery when handled. The numbers and symbols are cut, the central text is engraved.

Stainless Steel Furniture A large quantity of 2mm laser cut Stainless Steel Brackets showing the consistency and edge quality of the Laser Cutting Process. This type of work for Fabrication & Manufacturing companies represents about 70% of our output, the other 30% is the more decorative projects you can see on this page.

Laser Cut, formed and electropolished stainless steel "fetish collar". One of our more unusual projects, but lots of fun during the research and design stages! The level of detail in the cutting is very high showing the quality Cutting Technologies is capable of producing.

Maximum Component Size	3000x1500mm
Minimum Component Size	Very Small - depends on material thickness
Maximum Thickness	15mm
Minimum Thickness	<0.5mm
Minimum Detail	Detail should not be less than the 80% material thickness e.g. minimum 8mm diameter hole in 10mm thick material
General Cutting Tolerance	>3mm - +/-0.1mm 3-6mm - +/-0.15mm 6-12mm - +/-0.2mm >12mm - +/-0.3mm
Effects of Thermal Cutting	The cut edge on thinner sections is smooth and even - the edge quality degrades a little as thickness increases
Common Grades Stocked	304 / 316 / 430. The surface finishes vary by type and thickness but include mill finish, brush polished, bright annealed and mirror polished.
Common Sheet Sizes	2000x1000mm/2500x1250mm/3000x1500mm
Common Applications	Any application requiring a degree of corrosion resistance and / or a decorative surface finish.

Stainless Steel Edge Quality A close-up image showing the edge quality of various thicknesses of laser cut stainless steel. We use Nitrogen assist gas to maintain the "Clean Cut" almost shiny edge. Some companies may use Oxygen - this leaves a heavy grey dross and depletes the Chromium in the cut edge, leading to rusting.

For the vast majority of clients the edge quality of Stainless Steel Laser Cutting is good enough "as is". However, for applications such as architectural work (balustrades etc) the edges are normally polished. We can get this done for you if you need it - we use one of our many customers to offer you the full service.