How laser cutting is priced
Laser shops price a flat part from three things: the material in the blank, the time the laser spends cutting and piercing, and the setup spread over the order.
Why cut length matters more than size
A small bracket with many holes can cost more than a larger plain plate. Every hole adds cut length and a pierce, and piercing thick plate takes several seconds. Fewer, larger cutouts cut faster than many small ones.
Typical fiber laser cutting speeds for mild steel
| Thickness | Speed, in/min | Speed, mm/min |
|---|---|---|
| 18 ga (1.2 mm) | 260 | 6,600 |
| 16 ga (1.5 mm) | 220 | 5,600 |
| 11 ga (3 mm) | 110 | 2,800 |
| 1/4 in (6 mm) | 50 | 1,270 |
| 1/2 in (12 mm) | 20 | 510 |
These are conservative values for a 3–6 kW fiber laser. Stainless is cut about 25% slower here and aluminum about 15% slower. Use your own machine's speeds for real quotes.
Typical laser cutting rates
Most US job shops charge $80–200 per hour of laser time, plus a setup or minimum order charge of $25–75. High-power fiber lasers cut thin sheet several times faster than CO₂ lasers, so the price per part drops even when the hourly rate is higher.
Measuring cut length by hand is the slow part. InCost reads the DXF, finds every contour, counts pierces, nests the parts on a standard sheet and prices them with your own rates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does laser cutting cost per hour?
Shop rates for fiber laser cutting are usually $80–200 per hour of machine time in the US, and €60–150 in Europe. The price per part also includes material, setup and margin.
How is laser cutting priced per inch?
Divide the hourly rate by the cutting speed. At $120/h and 220 in/min on 16 gauge steel, cutting costs about $0.009 per inch, plus a fraction of a cent per pierce.
Why do small parts have a minimum price?
Every job needs programming, loading the sheet and unloading parts. A setup charge spread over the order makes small quantities cost more per part.
What is a pierce and why does it cost extra?
Before cutting each contour, the laser burns a starting hole through the material. On thick plate this takes several seconds, so parts with many holes take longer to cut.
Can I get the cut length from a DXF file?
Yes. InCost reads DXF files and measures cut length and pierces automatically, including tabs, lead-ins and nested parts.