{"id":2187,"date":"2026-09-29T22:15:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T20:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/news\/preparing-a-file-for-laser-cutting-and-bending\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T18:48:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T16:48:09","slug":"preparing-a-file-for-laser-cutting-and-bending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/news\/preparing-a-file-for-laser-cutting-and-bending\/","title":{"rendered":"How to prepare a file for laser cutting and bending"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group e-v8 e-uklad-wpis\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<article aria-labelledby=\"h1\">\n<header class=\"wpi-glowa\">\n<div class=\"e-wrap\">\n<nav class=\"e-okruszki\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/\">Home<\/a><span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/news\/\">News<\/a><span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/news\/\">Guides<\/a><span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span><span aria-current=\"page\">File for cutting and bending<\/span><\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"e-h1 e-h1--na-jasnym wpi-h1\" id=\"h1\"><span class=\"e-naklejka\"><span>How to prepare a file<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"e-naklejka\"><span>for laser cutting and bending<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<div class=\"wpi-wstep\">\n<p class=\"e-lead\">We prepare cutting and bending quotes based on a drawing or 3D model. Below we explain which files the form accepts, what to include in your enquiry and how to prepare a DXF.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wpi-meta\">Published on <time datetime=\"2026-09-29\">29 September 2026<\/time> in <a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/news\/\">Guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wpi-szybki\"><a class=\"e-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/request-a-quote\/\">Send your drawing for a quote<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"e-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"e-foto wpi-foto\">\n<img data-no-lazy=\"1\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1296px) 100vw, 1200px\" class=\"wp-image-403\" src=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/laser-hsg-stol-arkusz-w-trakcie-ciecia.webp\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1350\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-position:50% 28%\" alt=\"HSG laser cutting machine bed: a sheet of metal with cut contours of rectangular parts, cutting sparks by the head, bellow cover in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/laser-hsg-stol-arkusz-w-trakcie-ciecia.webp 1800w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/laser-hsg-stol-arkusz-w-trakcie-ciecia-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/laser-hsg-stol-arkusz-w-trakcie-ciecia-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/laser-hsg-stol-arkusz-w-trakcie-ciecia-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/laser-hsg-stol-arkusz-w-trakcie-ciecia-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/laser-hsg-stol-arkusz-w-trakcie-ciecia-480x360.webp 480w\" \/>\n<figcaption>Sheet metal being cut on the HSG laser. ECAD shop floor.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e-wrap wpi-uklad\">\n<aside class=\"wpi-bok\">\n<nav class=\"wpi-spis\" aria-labelledby=\"spis-tyt\">\n<p class=\"wpi-spis-tyt\" id=\"spis-tyt\">In this article<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#formaty\">Files we accept<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#dane\">What to include in your enquiry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#dxf\">Rules for DXF files<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#giecie\">Sheet metal flat pattern for bending<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#po-wyslaniu\">What happens after sending<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"wpi-tresc\">\n<p>How should you prepare a file for laser cutting or bending so the quote does not get held up by questions about contours, thickness and quantity? Three things help: a file format we can open, a few details about the order and clean contours. You do not need a perfect drawing. If anything is missing, we will ask.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"formaty\">Files we accept<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/request-a-quote\/\">drawing quote<\/a> form accepts PDF, DXF, DWG, STEP (STP) and IGES (IGS) files, as well as JPG, PNG and TIFF images. You can also pack your documentation into a ZIP or 7Z archive. You can send up to 10 files per submission, up to 100 MB in total.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wpi-tabela\">\n<table class=\"e-tabela wpi-wybor wpi-pliki\">\n<caption>Which file to send<\/caption>\n<thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">What you have<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Best file<\/th><th scope=\"col\">What to add<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><th scope=\"row\">Flat part to be cut<\/th><td data-etykieta=\"Najlepszy plik\">1:1 scale DXF or DWG; a dimensioned PDF for reference<\/td><td data-etykieta=\"Co dopisa\u0107\">material and grade, thickness, quantity<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><th scope=\"row\">Bent part<\/th><td data-etykieta=\"Najlepszy plik\">3D model (STEP or IGES) or a drawing with dimensions, bend angles and bend radii<\/td><td data-etykieta=\"Co dopisa\u0107\">same as for a flat part<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><th scope=\"row\">Physical part only, no drawing<\/th><td data-etykieta=\"Najlepszy plik\">dimensioned sketch or photos; we can also <a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/reverse-engineering-and-3d-scanning\/\">scan the part, recreate its model and manufacture it<\/a><\/td><td data-etykieta=\"Co dopisa\u0107\">material, if known, and quantity<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"e-uwaga\">The form will reject a ZIP archive containing executable files (for example .exe) or another archive inside.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"dane\">What to include in your enquiry<\/h2>\n<p>Only your full name and <span style=\"white-space:nowrap\">e-mail<\/span> or phone number are required. If possible, include four things in your message.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"e-lista\">\n<li><b>Material and grade<\/b>, for example S235 steel or 1.4301 stainless steel.<\/li>\n<li><b>Thickness<\/b> of the sheet metal.<\/li>\n<li><b>Quantity<\/b>: a single piece, a batch or several options, for example 20, 100 and 500.<\/li>\n<li><b>Lead time<\/b>, if it matters. If not, write &#8220;no rush&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Add any other details too: tolerances, deburring, notes on the drawing. If you require a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), mention it in your message.<\/p>\n<p>We do not have a price list. We quote based on a model or documentation, and the price depends on the material, thickness, cutting length, number of bends, quantity, additional operations and lead time. We explain the details on the page <a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/cutting-and-bending-pricing\/\">what determines the price of cutting and bending<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dxf\">How to prepare a file for laser cutting: rules for DXF<\/h2>\n<p>We cut sheet metal on a 12 kW HSG G3015H V2 fibre laser from 3000 \u00d7 1500 mm sheets, and we prepare the cutting programme in SigmaNEST. More about this machine: <a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/laser-cutting\/\">sheet metal laser cutting<\/a>. Prepare your DXF file for laser cutting so that the contour can be placed on the sheet without guesswork. The rules below are standard practice for laser files rather than a formal requirement: you can still send a file that does not meet them.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"e-lista\">\n<li><b>1:1 scale, millimetres.<\/b> A part drawn at a different scale or in inches requires conversion, which easily leads to errors.<\/li>\n<li><b>Closed contours.<\/b> The outer perimeter and every hole must be a closed line without gaps. An open contour does not show where the part ends.<\/li>\n<li><b>One line per edge.<\/b> Duplicate lines may cause the same edge to be cut twice.<\/li>\n<li><b>Dimensions outside the cutting layer.<\/b> Leave only what is to be cut on the contour layer. Move dimensions, centrelines, notes and the title block to separate layers or delete them.<\/li>\n<li><b>One flat view of each part.<\/b> In a DXF file, a 2D contour view is sufficient, without side views or 3D projections. When a file contains several parts, state the quantity for each.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is worth attaching a dimensioned PDF: it shows what the finished part should look like.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"giecie\">Sheet metal flat pattern and 3D model for bending<\/h2>\n<p>For bending, a contour alone is not enough. Ideally, send a 3D model in STEP or IGES format. If you do not have one, prepare a drawing with dimensions, bend angles and bend radii. If you send a sheet metal flat pattern, mark the bend lines on it and attach a dimensioned view of the bent part. The flat pattern length depends on the material, thickness and bend radius, so the finished part dimensions help us verify it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wpi-rys wpi-rys-para\">\n<figure class=\"e-rysunek\">\n<div class=\"e-rysunek-okno\"><img class=\"wp-image-430\" src=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-rozwiniecie-blachy-kolejnosc-zagiec.webp\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sheet metal flat pattern from a production drawing: a rectangular blank with bend lines marked with bend sequence numbers and dimensions.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-rozwiniecie-blachy-kolejnosc-zagiec.webp 2000w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-rozwiniecie-blachy-kolejnosc-zagiec-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-rozwiniecie-blachy-kolejnosc-zagiec-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-rozwiniecie-blachy-kolejnosc-zagiec-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-rozwiniecie-blachy-kolejnosc-zagiec-1536x1025.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-rozwiniecie-blachy-kolejnosc-zagiec-480x320.webp 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/div>\n<figcaption>Flat pattern of 8 mm sheet metal with an R5.6 radius: bend lines, with numbers showing the bend sequence. Drawing from the ECAD archive.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"e-rysunek\">\n<div class=\"e-rysunek-okno\"><img class=\"wp-image-431\" src=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-profil-blachy-po-czterech-zagieciach.webp\" width=\"1333\" height=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sheet metal profile after four bends from a production drawing: two short flanges in line, connected by an offset middle section, with dimensions.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-profil-blachy-po-czterech-zagieciach.webp 1333w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-profil-blachy-po-czterech-zagieciach-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-profil-blachy-po-czterech-zagieciach-682x1024.webp 682w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-profil-blachy-po-czterech-zagieciach-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-profil-blachy-po-czterech-zagieciach-1024x1536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ecad-com-pl.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rysunek-profil-blachy-po-czterech-zagieciach-320x480.webp 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1333px) 100vw, 1333px\" \/><\/div>\n<figcaption>The same part after four bends.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>We cut blanks for bending in-house on our laser, so you can order cutting and bending in a single job. We perform <a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/sheet-metal-bending\/\">sheet metal bending<\/a> on a Trumpf TruBend 7050 press brake, and we prepare the bending programme in SigmaBEND. We confirm the bending tools and tonnage for a specific part when quoting.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"po-wyslaniu\">What happens after sending<\/h2>\n<p>After submitting the form, you will see a reference number. If you provide an <span style=\"white-space:nowrap\">e-mail<\/span>, we will also send a confirmation with the number and size of the files. Next, we check the documentation: material, dimensions, quantity and required operations. Finally, we reply with a quote or ask for any missing details.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"wpi-ramka\" aria-labelledby=\"ramka-tyt\">\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"ramka-tyt\">Have a drawing? Send it for a quote<\/h2>\n<p>Include the material, thickness, quantity and lead time. We will reply with questions or a price.<\/p>\n<p class=\"e-drobne\">PDF, DXF, DWG, STEP, IGES, images (JPG, PNG, TIFF) or a ZIP or 7Z archive; up to 10 files, max. 100 MB in total.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpi-ramka-akcja\">\n<a class=\"e-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/request-a-quote\/\">Send your drawing for a quote<\/a>\n<p>or call us: <a href=\"tel:+48697270000\">+48\u00a0697\u00a0270\u00a0000<\/a><br\/>Mon\u2013Fri 8:00\u201316:00<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"e-wrap wpi-koniec\">\n<h2 id=\"pow-tyt\">See also<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"e-powiazane\" aria-labelledby=\"pow-tyt\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/laser-cutting\/\">Sheet metal laser cutting<\/a><p>HSG G3015H V2 laser, 12 kW, 3000 \u00d7 1500 mm sheets.<\/p><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/sheet-metal-bending\/\">Sheet metal bending<\/a><p>Trumpf TruBend 7050 press brake, from single pieces to series production.<\/p><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/cutting-and-bending-pricing\/\">Cutting and bending price list<\/a><p>We do not have a price list; we explain what determines the price.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<nav class=\"wpi-sasiedzi\" aria-label=\"Next post\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ecad.com.pl\/en\/news\/laser-waterjet-or-plasma-choosing-a-cutting-method\/\" rel=\"next\"><span>Next post<\/span><b>Laser, waterjet or plasma: how to choose the cutting method<\/b><\/a>\n<\/nav>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to prepare a file for laser cutting and bending: file formats, quote details and DXF rules. Send your drawing to ECAD in Lodz.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":403,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Preparing files for laser cutting and bending | ECAD","_seopress_titles_desc":"How to prepare a file for laser cutting and bending: file formats, quote details and DXF rules. 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