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Plasma Cutting Service

Custom Plasma Cutting for Prototyping and Production Part Fabrication | Free Standard Shipping on All US Orders | Subject to availability. Xometry doesn't guarantee that we can provide this service at any given time.

Materials
Applications and Benefits
Tolerances
Design Guide
About Plasma Cutting
Download Guide

Custom Plasma Cutting Service

Xometry's custom, online plasma cutting service offers a cost-effective on-demand fabrication solution for your sheet metal needs. Thanks to our Instant Quoting Engine, we can provide instant pricing for any size fabrication run from low-volume prototyping to high-volume production. Xometry also offers a laser cutting service and a waterjet cutting service.

You can get an instant quote from a 3D CAD file or DXF file in our Instant Quoting Engine.

Xometry's Powerful DXF Quoting Tools

When it comes to sheet, we can't be beat. The Xometry Instant Quoting Engine is equipped with various features to ensure your sheet cutting quotes are quickly generated, straightforward, and unbeatable. In addition to 3D CAD, one of the most commonly used formats for plasma cut parts are 2D DXF. We made sure to include extensive features and support for the format. Below are a few of the key elements we've incorporated to offer you the most optimal DXF quoting experience for your flat plasma cut parts:

  • Automatic DXF File Repair -- Common issues found in DXF files are automatically fixed when detected.
  • 2D DXF File Viewer -- Our built-in vector based DXF viewer makes it quick and easy to review your uploaded designs.
  • Simple Material Selections -- Only see the sheet thicknesses applicable to your chosen material through easy to use drop-down menus.
  • Nested DXF File Support -- Upload a single pre-nested DXF file containing multiple components to consolidate your line items and receive discounted family pricing.
Use the 3D viewer above to preview Xometry's part rendering features.

Xometry's Sheet Cutting Service

Sheet metal laser cut and punched plate with Xometry logo

Sheet Cutting Services

Upload your CAD files to get an instant quote for laser cutting or waterjet cut prototypes and production parts. No minimums. Get parts in days and free standard shipping on all US orders.
Sheet Cutting Services

Plasma Cutting Materials

Materials Available at Xometry
AluminumCopperSteel
Aluminum

Aluminum 5052

Copper

Copper 101

Steel

Stainless Steel 301

Aluminum
Copper

Copper C110

Steel

Stainless Steel 304

Aluminum
Copper

Copper 260 (Brass)

Steel

Stainless Steel 316/316L

Aluminum
Copper
Steel

Steel, Low Carbon

Additional materials are available upon request!

Standard Sheet Thicknesses

Available Finishes

Standard

Minimal post-processing or treatment on parts is done.

Anodized (Type II or Type III)

Type II creates a corrosion-resistant finish. Parts can be anodized in different colors—clear, black, red, and gold are most common—and is usually associated with aluminum. Type III is thicker and creates a wear-resistant layer in addition to the corrosion resistance seen with Type II.

Powder Coat

This is a process where powdered paint is sprayed onto a part which is then baked in an oven. This creates a strong, wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that is more durable than standard painting methods. A wide variety of colors are available to create the desired aesthetic.

Chem Film (Chromate Conversion Coating)

Provides corrosion resistance and good conductivity properties. Can be used as a base for paint. Can leave surface yellow/gold.

Custom

Don’t see the finish you need? Submit an RFQ and we’ll look into a finishing process for you.

Available Types Of Plasma Cutters

2-Axis

This is the most common and conventional form of a plasma cutter and operates like any traditional CNC sheet metal fabrication tool, producing flat profiles with straight edges. These plasma cutters are best for cutting large parts from thick material quickly and are more cost-efficient than CNC laser cutters for the same work.

3-Axis

This type of CNC plasma cutter adds in an additional axis of rotation which allows the cutting tool to tilt and cut edges at an angle. This is extremely useful for cutting chamfers, countersunk holes or angled edges as part of weld preparation, which saves on secondary operations such as grinding or machining helping reduce overall cost.

Xomety X

Ready to get started on your plasma cutting quote?

Free shipping available for domestic plasma cutting orders ; learn more!

Applications of Plasma Cutting

Plasma cutting

Blank Preparation

Plasma cutting can build near net shapes of conductive metals, making it perfect for material preparation.

Fast parts and fast shipping

Rapid Prototyping

The range of plasma cutter materials available, low cost per unit, and speed of production makes waterjet a great option for prototyping.

Part Production

End-Use Production

Large format cutting, vast material options, and high throughput have made plasma cutting a favorable technology for end-use parts.

Advantages of Plasma Cutting

Durability

Similar to CNC machining, sheet metal processes produce highly durable parts well-suited for both functional prototypes and end-use production.

Scalability

All sheet metal parts are built on-demand and with lower setup costs compared to CNC Machining. Depending on your needs, order as little as a single prototype up to 10,000 production parts.

Material Selection

Choose from a variety of sheet metals across a wide range of strength, conductivity, weight, and corrosion resistance.

Rapid Turnaround

Combining the latest cutting, bending, and punching with automated technologies, Xometry provides instant sheet quotes and completed parts often within a week.

Plasma Cutting General Tolerances

DescriptionGeneral Tolerance
Description

Distance Dimensions

General Tolerance

For features of size (Length, width, diameter) and location (position, concentricity, symmetry) + 0.125", -0.000 is typical. Material length and thickness may affect tolerances.

Description

Thickness Dimension

General Tolerance

Thickness tolerances are determined by the material blank.

Description

Minimum Recommend Part Size

General Tolerance

1.000"

Description

Minimum Feature Size

General Tolerance

2X material thickness with a minimum of 1.000"

Description

Kerf (slit size)

General Tolerance

Approximately 0.50"

Description

Edge Condition

General Tolerance

Plasma edge will have vertical striations and be tapered. Upper edges may have a rounded area with top splatter.

Please check out Xometry's Manufacturing Standards for more information on tolerances per process. Unless we have agreed to other tolerances in your Quote, we will work to achieve and hold the tolerances noted.

Design Guide: Laser and Sheet Cutting

We've compiled our best tips into this guide to help you understand laser and sheet cutting processes, how to prepare your files, important design considerations for optimizing your parts for manufacturing, and information about Xometry's sheet cutting services.
Read the Full Case Study

An Overview of the Plasma Cutting Process

The Basics Of Plasma Cutters

Plasma cutting, or plasma arc cutting, uses an accelerated jet of hot plasma to cut through electrically conductive materials. Plasma cutters are the fastest way to cut through gauge material up to 6" thick and are more cost-efficient to run than high-powered CNC laser cutters. Plasma cutters do their best work on large sheet metal parts, versus CNC laser cutters which are better at more detailed work and creating holes — something plasma cutters struggle with.


How Plasma Cutters Work

When energy and heat are applied to a gas, the molecules travel faster and collide more violently, turning the gas into a plasma. Using compressed air or other inert gas, the plasma is accelerated out of the plasma torch toward the workpiece where it completes an electrical arc with the conductive workpiece. Similar to Electrical Discharge Machines, plasma cutting machines use electricity to melt and cut the workpiece.

Plasma Cutting Icon

Why Use Plasma Cutting For Your Parts?

Plasma cutters are a good all-around sheet metal fabrication tool, though they lack the material cutting diversity of waterjet cutters and don’t have the precision of laser cutters. For larger sheet metal parts, plasma cutting machines are more cost-efficient than CNC laser cutters and can cut thicker materials easily. Plus, they are easy to operate and can cut at high speeds while maintaining precision.


Sheet metal offers a cost-effective way to fabricate product device panels, boxes and cases for a variety of applications. We build enclosures of all styles, including rackmounts, “U” and “L” shapes, as well as consoles and consolets.

Plasma cutting parts

Why Choose Xometry for Plasma Cutting?

Xometry Illustration

Endless Options

Choose from millions of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.

Xometry Illustration

Easy to Use

Get your plasma cut parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.

Xometry Illustration

Vetted Network

We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, IATF 16949:2016, and AS9100D certified. Only the top shops that apply to become Suppliers make it through our qualification process.

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Designing for sheet metal? Check out our design guide!

Plasma Cutting Services Near You

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