Materials
This section can be used as a general guide for selecting the die, laser or plasma cutting process. Be reminded this is only a guide and is in no way a guarantee of suitability for your application. The nature of material, complexity, and thickness of your components can change the process of production. As an example, many of the plastics you see listed here can be cut using laser or standard die cutting. The hardness, thickness and complexity of the part determine the best method. Please tell us your requirements and we will help you select the best method for your application.
ABS(<.090)
ABS(>.090)
Acetate
Acrylic(<.090)
Acrylic(>.090)
Aluminum(<.010)
Aluminum(>.010)
Aramid | Steel Rule
Laser Cutting
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Laser Cutting
Steel Rule
Plasma
Die or Laser |
| |
Brass(<.010)
Brass(>.010)
Burlap
Buna-N (rubber)
Butyl (rubber) | Steel Rule
Plasma
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
Canvas
Carbon Fiber (gaskets)
Carbon Fiber (pre-preg)
Cellulose (paper)
Chip Board
Cloth
Composites
Copper(<.010)
Copper(>.010)
Cork
Corrugated Plastic Cardboard(single)
Corrugated Cardboard(double)
Corrugated Cardboard(tripple)
Cotton | Steel Rule
Unable
Unable
Steel Rule
Both
Both
Both
Steel Rule
Plasma
Die or Laser
Die or Laser
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
ECH (rubber)
EPDM (rubber)
Ethylene Propylene
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate | Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
Felt
Fibreglass (cured)
Fibreglass (non-curred)
Flannel
Foam
Foam Core (art board) | Die or Laser
Die or Laser
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
Gore-Tex
Graphite (flexible gasketing)
Gum (rubber) | Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
HDPE (<.090)
HDPE (>.090)
Hypalon®(rubber) | Die or Laser
Laser Cutting
Steel Rule |
| |
Ionomer | Steel Rule |
| |
Kevlar(fabric)
Kevlar(plate) | Unable
Unable |
| |
Latex
LDPE(<.090)
LDPE(>.090)
Leather
Lexan(<.090)
Lexan(>.090) | Steel Rule
Die or Laser
Laser Cutting
Die or Laser
Steel Rule
Unable |
| |
Magnet(flexible)
Masonite(non-tempered)
Masonite(tempered)
Muslin Steel) | Steel Rule Die
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
Neoprene
Nitrile(rubber) | Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
Paper
Paper(fish)
Paper(Tissue)
Perfluoroelastomer
Plywood(<.125)
Plywood(>.125)
Polycarbonate(<.090)
Polycarbonate(>.090)
Polyester(fabric)
Polyetylene(<.090)
Polyetylene(>.090)
Polypropylene(<.090)
Polypropylene(>.090)
Polypropylene(felt)
Polyurethane
PVC(<.090)
PVC(>.090) | Steel Rule Die
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Die or Laser
Laser Cutting
Steel Rule
Unable
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Laser Cutting
Steel Rule
Laser Cutting
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
Rubber | Steel Rule |
| |
Santoprene(rubber)
SBR(rubber)
SBS Steel Rule Dies
Shim Stock(metal)
Shim Stock(plastic)
Silicone Sheeting
Sorbothane
Sponge
Stainless Steel
Steel(<.750) | Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Both
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Plasma Cutting
Plasma Cutting |
| |
Teflon®(gasketing)
Teflon®(plate) | Steel Rule
Laser Cutting |
| |
UHMW(<.090)
UHMW(>.090) | Steel Rule
Laser Cutting |
| |
Velcro
Velvet
Vinyl(<.090)
Vinyl(>.090)
Vinyl(fabric)
Vinyl(pressure sensitive)
Viton® | Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule Steel Rule
Steel Rule
Steel Rule |
| |
Wire Cloth
Wood(<.125)
Wood(>.125)
Wool | Both
Steel Rule
Laser Cutting
Steel Rule |
