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Engraving & cutting

CNC Laser Cutting for Sheet Metal

A free quote from laser cutting and engineering shops across South Africa. One job sheet, no obligation.

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A fibre laser cutting a thick steel plate with a bright shower of sparks below the cutting head
Process
Profile cut and bend
Laser source
Fibre
Materials
Mild steel, stainless, aluminium
Power
3 to 20 kW fibre
Turnaround
3 to 7 working days

CNC laser cutting is the fastest accurate way to profile sheet metal, from one prototype bracket to thousands of production parts. LaserEngraver.co.za is a free quote referral service: send one request with your drawing, material, thickness and quantity, and we pass it to independent engineering works and steel laser cutting shops near you, who quote you directly. We do not cut, bend or sell steel ourselves, and there is no fee or obligation. Requests come from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha and industrial towns nationwide.

Laser cutting metal: what can be cut

  • Mild steel: 0.5 to about 25 mm, for brackets, base plates, gussets and decorative screens and gates
  • Stainless steel (304 and 316): 0.5 to about 20 mm, cut with nitrogen for clean, oxide-free edges
  • Aluminium: 0.5 to about 15 mm, for covers, panels and enclosures
  • Galvanised, brass and copper: possible on most modern fibre machines

Pipe and box section need a dedicated tube laser.

How CNC fibre laser cutting works

Modern sheet metal shops use fibre lasers from 3 to 20 kW on beds of 3000 x 1500 mm or 4000 x 2000 mm, with shuttle tables so one sheet loads while another cuts. Oxygen assist gas is used for thick mild steel and nitrogen for stainless and aluminium. Tolerances of about plus or minus 0.1 to 0.2 mm are normal, and the kerf is 0.1 to 0.5 mm depending on thickness. Hole diameters should generally be at least the sheet thickness.

Laser cutting and bending

Many engineering works pair the laser with a CNC press brake, so parts are cut and folded in one order. Supply a 3D model or flat pattern with bend lines and inside radius, or ask the shop to unfold it. Deburring, drilling, tapping, welding, galvanising and powder coating are often available. Material is commonly sourced to SANS specifications, so state the grade you need, for example 300WA mild steel or 316 stainless for coastal and food-contact work. For structural parts, ask for material certificates with the order.

Steel laser cutting prices

Cost is mostly material plus cutting time. As a 2026 guide, fibre laser time runs roughly R15 to R45 per minute, or many shops quote per part from your DXF. Small 3 mm mild steel brackets can cost R25 to R120 each in batches, with stainless 30 to 60 percent more. Minimum orders of R300 to R800 are common. Send DXF or DWG at 1:1, or STEP for bent parts. Lead times are usually 3 to 7 working days, longer when bending, coating or galvanising is added. Also see laser cutting.

What to include in your request

  • Give the metal, grade and thickness
  • Attach a DXF or DWG at 1:1, or a STEP
  • State quantities for each part
  • Mark bends, holes to tap and finish
  • Say if delivery to site is needed

Metal Laser Cutting for different customers

  • Gifts and keepsakes: a steel house number plate, braai part, fire pit panel or garden ornament
  • Weddings and events: steel decor panels, cut-out silhouettes and branded stage pieces for a venue
  • Schools, clubs and churches: steel parts for robotics teams, workshop projects and sports field fittings
  • Businesses and brands: steel or aluminium reception logos, wall panels and branded architectural features
  • Shops, restaurants and venues: steel shelving brackets, shopfitting parts and decorative screens for stores
  • Factories, engineering and mines: batch-cut brackets, gussets, base plates and enclosures for plant and mines
  • Makers and resellers: outsourced steel parts and blanks for fabricators, welders and small workshops
  • Farms and agri businesses: steel gate parts, trailer brackets, branding iron blanks and implement repairs

Frequently asked questions

Is LaserEngraver.co.za an engineering works?
No. We are a free quote referral service with no machines of our own. Independent steel laser cutting shops and engineering works receive your request and quote you directly. You choose who to use.
Do I need to supply the steel?
Usually not. Most shops supply mild steel, stainless and aluminium sheet and include it in the quote. Supplying your own plate is sometimes accepted for large jobs, but the shop may not guarantee the cut quality on rusted, painted or unknown steel.
What is the difference between laser and plasma cutting?
Laser cutting is more accurate with a narrower kerf and cleaner edges, ideal up to about 20 mm. Plasma is cheaper for thick plate where precision matters less.
Can I get a quote from a sketch or photo?
Yes, with dimensions. The shop will draw it up as a DXF, often for a small drafting fee, and confirm the drawing with you before cutting.

Metal Laser Cutting by province and city

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Fill in the job sheet: what you want made or bought, how many, the material and where you are. Laser shops, dealers and suppliers who work in your area quote you directly. Free, no obligation.

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