Laser cutting and bending price list: what affects the price
The cutting and bending price list at ECAD has no fixed rates: we calculate the price from your drawing or model, from a single piece to a batch, at our plant at ul. Elektronowa 6 in Lodz. Below: what affects it and what to send to minimise follow-up questions.
The price is made up of successive stages of the material’s journey, from raw sheet to finished part. Follow the stops or jump straight to the checklist of what to send. Looking for machines? See our machine park.
Material and thickness: the first cost factor
Our 12 kW HSG G3015H V2 fibre laser cuts structural steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and copper. The same contour cut from a different material or thicker sheet metal means different machine work.
Material type and grade
Different materials cut and bend differently. Specify the grade, e.g. S235 or 1.4301. Maximum thicknesses for individual materials are listed on the sheet metal laser cutting page.
Sheet metal thickness
The thicker the sheet metal, the longer the cutting takes and the greater the force required for bending. Our 12 kW laser cuts structural steel, stainless steel and aluminium up to 40 mm; we confirm the thickness for your part when quoting.
Sheet format and nesting
We cut from 3000 × 1500 mm sheets. How parts are nested on the sheet affects how much material remains in the skeleton — the openwork remnant left after cutting out the parts.
Customer-supplied material and 3.1 certificate
We also cut and bend material supplied by the customer. For material sourced by us, we issue a 3.1 inspection certificate. In your enquiry, state whether you are supplying the material and whether you need a certificate.
Laser cutting price list: what affects the cutting price
We quote laser cutting (laser profiling) for a specific part. The laser cutting price depends on how much work the machine has to do, not just the outer contour of the part. Below are four factors that change it.
Contour length
The longer the cutting path — the part perimeter plus all internal holes — the longer the laser runs.
Number of holes and pierces
Every hole starts with piercing the sheet metal and adds a contour to cut. A part with several dozen holes means several dozen pierces.
Shape complexity
A simple rectangle cuts faster than a part with sharp corners, narrow slots and small features.
Technology
We cut sheet metal by laser, metals, plastics and stone by waterjet (PTV cutting machine), and steel also by plasma (STIGAL with a Hypertherm HPR130XD source). Tubes and profiles: Bodor SK2 laser (coming soon, enquiries already welcome). We match the technology to the material and thickness when quoting.
Price per metre of laser cutting or price per part?
A metre of cutting in 1 mm sheet metal and in 20 mm sheet metal is completely different work for the machine. A plate with many holes requires more pierces than a rectangle with the same perimeter. That is why, instead of a price per metre, we quote a specific part from a drawing or model.
Sheet metal bending price list: number of bends, length and tooling
We bend sheet metal on a Trumpf TruBend 7050 press brake, and tubes and profiles on a VLB EB53CNC-RH bending machine. The table shows what affects the bending price.
| What changes the price | What it means at ECAD |
|---|---|
| Number of bends | The more bends on a part, the longer the work on the press brake. The number of bends and their sequence are shown on the flat pattern (drawing next to the table). |
| Bend length | The TruBend 7050 has a bending length of 1530 mm and a pressing force of 500 kN. A longer bend in thicker sheet metal requires greater force. |
| Thickness and material | Stainless steel requires greater bending force than structural steel (approx. × 1.5), while aluminium requires less (approx. × 0.5). Details in the bending table. |
| Bend radius and tooling | The bend radius depends on the thickness, material and die. If the part requires special tooling, we confirm this when preparing the quote. |
| Tubes and profiles | The VLB bending machine bends tubes and profiles in the 6–53 mm range. The price varies with the diameter and wall thickness, number of bends, bend radius and quantity. Tube and profile bending. |
| Cutting and bending together | We handle laser blanking, deburring and bending within a single order, so you only need to send one set of files. |
Quantity and additional operations
We accept orders from a single piece to series production. Further operations can be added to cutting and bending; if you need them, mention this in your enquiry.
Quantity
Quantity affects the price, so please state it in your enquiry. You can specify several batch options at once, e.g. 20 / 100 / 500.
Deburring
We remove burrs from cut edges within the same order.
Welding and further processing
We can weld the parts (manually and on two FANUC robots) or machine them on CNC centres. In that case, we quote for the complete assembly: full-service production, welding.
Painting, galvanising and coatings
We outsource these to specialist partner companies. If your part requires painting or galvanising, please note this in your enquiry.
Dimensional inspection
We check dimensions using a 3D scanner, on a granite surface plate and with a Mitutoyo height gauge. Need an inspection report? Let us know. 3D quality inspection.
Lead time
If the deadline is critical, please specify it. If not, let us know there is no rush.
What to send for a faster quote
The more complete your enquiry, the fewer follow-up questions needed. Please prepare the following information for a cutting and bending quote.
| Item | Details to provide |
|---|---|
Drawing or 3D model | PDF, DXF, DWG, STEP or IGES. For bending, a 3D model or a drawing showing dimensions, bend angles and radii is best. |
Material, grade and thickness | E.g. S235 steel, 3 mm or 1.4301 stainless steel, 2 mm. Please also state whether you are supplying the material and whether you require a 3.1 certificate. |
Quantity | From a single piece to series runs, including multiple batch variants. |
Operations | Laser cutting, bending, deburring, welding, CNC machining, coatings. |
Lead time | If critical. |
Requirements | Tolerances, deburring and notes on the drawing. We sign NDAs upon request. |
Don’t have a drawing?
Send a dimensioned sketch or photos of the part. We can scan an existing part with a 3D scanner and reconstruct its 3D model: reverse engineering and 3D scanning.
You can also bring the part to our facility at ul. Elektronowa 6: on-site parking and vehicle access are available, Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00. Contact and directions.
- Send a drawing or 3D modelUp to 10 files, up to 100 MB in total. Split larger documentation across several submissions or compress it into a ZIP or 7Z archive.
- Describe your orderMaterial and grade, thickness, quantity, lead time.
- We will reply with any questions and a priceWe will send you a quote or ask for any missing details.
Questions about the cutting and bending price list
Do you have a price list for cutting and bending?
We do not have a fixed price table. Every part is quoted based on a 3D model or technical documentation, as the price depends on the material, thickness, cutting length, number of holes, number of bends, quantity and additional operations. Send your drawing and we will reply with any questions and a price. Send your drawing.
What is the price per metre of laser cutting?
We do not quote a flat rate per metre. A metre of cutting in thick sheet metal takes longer than in thin sheet, and a part with many holes requires more pierces than a simple contour of the same cutting length. We calculate the laser cutting cost for your specific part from a drawing or 3D model. Sheet metal laser cutting.
What determines the price of laser cutting stainless steel and aluminium?
The material changes both the cutting parameters and the bending force required. Our 12 kW laser cuts structural steel, stainless steel and aluminium up to 40 mm, brass up to 16 mm and copper up to 12 mm. We do not have a separate price list for laser cutting aluminium or stainless steel: provide the grade and thickness, and we will calculate the price for your part.
Do you cut and bend customer-supplied material, and do you issue 3.1 certificates?
Yes. We also cut and bend material supplied by the customer, and for material sourced by us we issue a 3.1 inspection certificate. In your enquiry, please state whether you are supplying the material and whether you need a certificate, and specify the grade and thickness. Send your drawing.
What determines the price of sheet metal bending?
It depends on the number of bends, bend length, sheet thickness and material type, bend radius and tooling. We bend sheet metal on a Trumpf TruBend 7050 press brake (500 kN, 1530 mm bending length), and tubes and profiles on a VLB EB53CNC-RH bending machine. Ideally, send a drawing with dimensions, bend angles and radii. Sheet metal bending, tube and profile bending.
Does the quantity affect the price, and what is your minimum order quantity?
We accept orders from a single piece to series production. Quantity affects the unit price, so please state it in your enquiry. You can request several batch options at once, e.g. 20 / 100 / 500.
Do you have a cutting price calculator or instant online quoting?
We do not have an automated calculator or a per-metre price list. You submit your enquiry online: attach your drawing or 3D model to the form, state the material, thickness and quantity in the message, and we will reply with a quote or ask for any missing details.
How should I prepare an enquiry to get a quote without unnecessary back-and-forth?
Attach a drawing (PDF, DXF, DWG) or 3D model (STEP, IGES) and specify the material, grade, thickness, quantity, required operations and lead time, if critical. Up to 10 files, up to 100 MB in total; split larger documentation across several submissions or compress it into a ZIP or 7Z archive. Don’t have a drawing? Send a dimensioned sketch or photos of the part.
Have a drawing?
Send a drawing or 3D model and state: material, thickness, quantity. We will reply with any questions and a price.
