Laser Cutting Rate & Cost Calculator
Calculation Summary:
Pure Cutting Time:
0 min
Pierce Time Delay:
0 min
Total Machine Time:
0 min
Estimated Total Cost:
$0.00
Understanding Laser Cutting Rate Factors
Calculating the cost of a laser cutting job involves more than just measuring the perimeter of your part. To provide an accurate estimate, fabricators look at "feed rates" (the speed at which the laser head moves) and "pierce times" (the duration it takes for the laser to burn through the initial hole in the material).
Key Variables Explained
- Total Cutting Length: This is the total linear distance the laser travels while the beam is on. It includes the perimeter of the part and all internal holes or cutouts.
- Cutting Speed (Feed Rate): Determined by the material type and thickness. For example, 1mm stainless steel might be cut at 10,000 mm/min, while 10mm steel might require a slow 800 mm/min.
- Pierces: Every time the laser starts a new internal hole, it must "pierce" the material. In thick materials, a single pierce can take several seconds and causes wear on the nozzle.
- Hourly Machine Rate: This represents the overhead of the laser machine, including electricity, assist gases (Oxygen, Nitrogen, or Compressed Air), maintenance, and operator labor.
Practical Example
If you are cutting a 100mm x 100mm square with a 20mm circle in the center out of 3mm Mild Steel:
- Length: (100*4) + (20 * 3.14) = 462.8 mm.
- Pierces: 2 (one for the outer square, one for the inner circle).
- Rate: If your machine cuts this at 2000 mm/min and the shop charges $150/hr, the calculator will combine the movement time and the pierce time to provide the final dollar amount.
Pro Tip: To reduce costs, try to nest parts so they share a common cut line, which reduces the total cutting length and the number of pierces required.