Tips for Getting the Lowest Prices on Your Laser Cut Parts

Imagine this: you’ve poured your heart and soul into a design. It’s brilliant, innovative, and ready to take the world by storm. But then reality hits. Laser cutting those intricate shapes might push your project budget into the red zone. A-Laser is here to share some tips to help you achieve laser cutting savings without sacrificing quality.

Optimizing Your Design for Efficiency

Laser cutting costs are heavily influenced by the complexity and efficiency of your design. Here’s how to streamline your design for lower prices:

• Simplify, Simplify, Simplify: Scrutinize your design for unnecessary details, holes, or cutouts. Can functionality be maintained with a simpler design? Every intricate detail adds to the cutting time and, consequently, the cost.
• Consolidate Cuts: Look for opportunities to combine features or nest parts together within the material sheet. This minimizes wasted space and reduces the overall cutting time needed for your project.
• Minimize Pierces: Every time the laser needs to pierce the material to start a new cut, it adds to the processing time. Can you adjust your design to reduce the number of pierce points needed?
• Embrace Nesting Software: Nesting software helps automatically arrange your parts on the material sheet to maximize efficiency. A-Laser can assist you with this process, ensuring the most parts are cut from the least amount of material.

Material Matters: Choosing Wisely

The type and thickness of material you select significantly impacts the cutting speed and overall cost. Here are some considerations:

• • Thinner is Better (Usually): The thicker the material, the slower the cutting speed. If functionality allows, opting for a thinner material can significantly reduce cutting time and cost.
  • Standard is Your Friend: While there’s a vast array of materials available for laser cutting, sticking to commonly used materials often translates to lower costs due to higher availability and faster processing times.
  • Consider Alternatives: Can you achieve the desired outcome with a less expensive material? Explore different options and discuss them with A-Laser’s team to find the optimal balance between cost and functionality.

• Material in Hand: Having the material already in hand will make the cutting process more efficient if our team does not have to source it for you. 

Quantity: A Balancing Act

While ordering a larger quantity can unlock volume discounts, it’s important to consider your storage space and actual needs. Here’s how to find the sweet spot:

• Escape Minimum Orders: Many laser cutting shops have minimum order quantities. Plan your project accordingly to avoid paying for more material than you need.
• Batch Ordering: If you anticipate needing similar parts in the future, consider batch ordering to take advantage of quantity discounts.
• Splitting the Difference: Can your project be broken down into smaller, more manageable batches? This allows you to avoid large upfront costs while potentially qualifying for smaller order discounts.

Building a Strong Relationship with Your Laser Cutting Partner

Choosing the right laser cutting service provider can significantly impact your project’s cost-effectiveness. Here’s why building a strong relationship matters:

• Seek Expert Advice: A reputable laser cutting company like A-Laser will offer design for manufacturability (DFM) advice. This can help you identify areas for optimization and ensure your design is laser-cutting friendly.
• Embrace Transparency: Clearly communicate your budget and project goals to A-Laser from the outset. This allows us to tailor our recommendations and find the most cost-effective solution for your needs.
• Long-Term Vision: Consider establishing a long-term partnership with A-Laser. This allows us to understand your recurring needs and suggest cost-saving strategies based on your project history.

Conclusion

By following these tips and working collaboratively with A-Laser, you can achieve the best possible value for your laser cutting project. Remember, even small adjustments to your design, material selection, and ordering strategy can make a significant difference in your bottom line.

Ready to get started? Contact A-Laser today for a free quote and expert advice on optimizing your laser cutting project for both functionality and affordability.