Here at SendCutSend CNC machining includes laser cutting, routing, bending, and more. While all of these services could have CNC attached to their name, such as “CNC Laser Cutting,” within the industry we simply call it, “laser cutting,” as the “CNC” part is assumed, but we understand that it can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re just starting out!
It’s really common for people to associate the term “CNC” with 3-dimensional, subtractive CNC machining , which is actually different. So, because of this, it’s important to understand what type of CNC cutting you’re looking for—laser, waterjet, routing, etc.
Online Laser Cutting Services vs. Local Laser Cutting Services
If you’re looking for CNC cutting services near you, understanding the difference between online laser cutting services and local laser cutting services is the first step in getting your project off the ground on time and within budget.
So, what’s the difference? Well, you no longer have to hunt down a manufacturer close to you to get great results thanks to on-demand online laser cutting services like us (SendCutSend). Since we use top-of-the-line CNC laser cutting machines that are capable of producing production-scale volumes at record speeds, our online services are usually faster and lower in cost than local manufacturers.
By providing fast, affordable, and accurate laser cutting services, small business owners working out of their garage to large-scale manufacturers (and everyone in between) can benefit.
The Benefits of CNC Cutting
The CNC laser cutting industry has grown at a rapid pace due in large part to improved technology and on-demand vendors, which has opened a world of opportunities and choice when it comes to establishing a manufacturer for your parts. Today, ordering laser cut parts is as simple as uploading a 2D vector file or 3D STEP/STP file which goes through a fast and thorough process to ensure quality prototypes are finished and delivered to your exact specifications in half the time.
Online CNC laser cutting services through SendCutSend give entrepreneurs, innovators, and manufacturers the edge they need to meet their deadlines, keep their projects on track and on budget. Time is money—and on-demand services like ours prevent you from waiting for custom metal parts that can slow your entire project down.
Choosing the Right CNC Metal Cutting Service for Your Project
CNC metal cutting services from SendCutSend leverage online automation to make it easy for anyone with a computer and CAD software to create custom parts that are high-quality and half the cost. Not only do we cut a variety of different metals from A36 steel and 6061 aluminum to brass, copper, and 304 stainless steel, but we can cut most metals up to ½” thick, and also provide numerous additional services including Bending, Countersinking, Tapping, Hardware Insertion, Powder Coating, Plating, Anodizing, and Deburring. We ensure our cuts are highly accurate—and follow tight tolerances within +/-.005” (or better).
Using high-powered lasers, our beam diameter (or kerf) varies between roughly 0.006″ and 0.010” depending on the metal or material being cut, but you don’t need to make any adjustments to your design to compensate for the kerf in the laser cutter. We compensate for all kerf and line offsets in your design and change the beam position based on the geometry of your part to ensure they are clean and accurate.
Before uploading your design to our website, you can also check out our general maximum and minimum limitations for all of our materials, and the maximum and minimum material limitations for post-processing. Can’t find the metal or thickness that you would like to use? You can suggest it! Our team is always looking for new materials to stock, and if it helps get your project over the line, we’re definitely here for it.
CNC Routing for Composites, Acrylics, & Wood
If you’re looking to achieve sharp edges within tight tolerances on materials that would otherwise be affected by the heat of a laser, CNC routing is the way to go. SendCutSend’s online CNC router service will ensure your parts are cut to spec every time, whether you need one part or a thousand of them. CNC Router services can produce parts at high speeds, leading to faster production times and lower prices for parts overall. While our CNC Laser Cutting service is great for metals, CNC routing delivers a better-finished edge and higher part quality for composite materials, plastics, and wood.
SendCutSend’s CNC router cuts at an accuracy of +/-0.005” or better in composites, plastics, and wood products and is our go-to cutting machine for a variety of other materials like MDF, ABS, ACM, HDPE, UHMW, and Polycarbonate.
Additional Services for CNC Machined Parts
SendCutSend offers a variety of finishing processes and services to ensure your custom cut parts look exactly how you envisioned them to.
Bending
Bending is specific to each metal and thickness and requires a high level of precision. SendCutSend can bend your laser-cut parts to your exact specifications within one degree of accuracy or better.
Finishing
Our full line of finishing services bring your projects to life. We use a variety of different processes to remove small imperfections, scratches, and burr left over from the cutting process which we include at no cost to you, but we also provide additional finishing services like:
Choose SendCutSend’s Class II Anodizing service for lightweight corrosion resistance to add durability and character to your parts.
- Plating
Protect your designs with Zinc Electroplating to help your parts defend themselves against rust. This also increases your parts’ strength and resistance to wear.
- Powder Coating
Looking for clean colors and weathering protection? Custom powder-coated laser cut parts are scratch resistant and come in seven standard colors.
Tapping, Hardware & Countersinking
Solve your design problems with SendCutSend’s tapping, hardware installation, and countersinking services.
- Tapping
Save time and money. Ditch the hassle and easily add hardware to your laser cut design. Our tapping services can be applied to a variety of different materials and thicknesses.
- Hardware
SendCutSend uses PEM fasteners to set your parts up for success with self-clinching nuts, studs, and stand-offs.
- Countersinking
For flush surfaces, there’s countersinking. Increase the life of your hardware and create clean, high-quality parts with our online countersinking service. Increase the lifespan of your part and preserve your hardware from long-term wear.
Get CNC Machining Guidelines, Tips, & Tricks
At SendCutSend, we want you to get the best out of the services we provide, so we put together a handful of helpful guidelines to ensure you know exactly what you’re getting when it comes to your parts. From our Laser Cutting and CNC Routing guidelines to Tutorials and Material Charts, we have what you need to get the most out of your project.
Plus, if you’re looking for ideas, info about our machines and processes, tips, technical specs, or case studies, you can head to our blog.
Take Advantage of Online CNC Laser Cutting From SendCutSend
All it takes is a quality design, a few days, and a little bit of CNC machining magic to bring your project to life. Upload your file, check out our parts builder, and get your free instant quote today. Not sure which process to use? Don’t worry. When you upload your design to SendCutSend, we’ll pick between our CO2 fiber laser, waterjet cutter, and CNC router to assure your parts are cut on the best machine at the most affordable price. Guaranteed.
If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team! We’re always here to help.
