Laser Cutting Metal: What to Know
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Laser cutting in metal fabrication has come a long way since the process was introduced in the 1960s. Over the past 60 years, laser cutting has grown into a nearly $4 billion market, expected to nearly double by 2030.
That growing popularity speaks to lasers’ benefits to the part-cutting process. Moreover, the changes manufacturers have undergone since 2020 have made finding the right laser-cutting partner essential to maintaining, expanding, and improving operations.
“We’ve seen more clients shift processes that used to be done in-house to external providers,” explains Michelle Hack, Fabrication Sales Manager at Ryerson. “There’s considerable upside in having a partner handle those operations for you, especially amid ongoing labor shortages.”
Hack also works with Apogee, part of the Ryerson Family of Companies. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Apogee has served customers in Canada and the U.S. for over 30 years. It is a full-line fabrication company providing shearing, punching, forming, laser cut processing, welding, and hardware assembly services.
The Benefits of Laser Cutting
The most notable upside of laser cutting, Hack says, comes down to one word: Precision.
“I haven’t seen any other method as precise. With laser cutting, you get the tolerance you need every single time. It’s a clean cut unlike any other.”
Indeed, the tolerance of laser cutting—the variation acceptable between processed parts—can be tighter than any other method. While stamping can offer a tolerance around ‘+/- 0.005”, laser cutting goes as low as +/- 0.005”. That’s a 10x difference that doesn't go unnoticed.
“Compared to ‘legacy’ thermal cutting operations, laser cutting is faster and cleaner, in addition to being more precise,” adds Jarrett Jones, sales manager at LaserFlex. “You can cut a wider, more diverse selection of materials, which is a major benefit when considering costs.”
LaserFlex is another member of the Ryerson Family of Companies, specializing in laser cutting (as its name indicates). With facilities in Columbus, Ohio, and Greenville, S.C., Laserflex provides services to various manufacturers throughout North America.
Indeed, the cost concerns surrounding laser cutting versus stamping have gotten much narrower in recent years. Hack suggests considering overall affordability when deciding. “The cost per hour can be high, but when you look at the amount of parts, you’re handling with laser cutting, the winner is clear.”
Laser Cutting: Outsourcing vs. In-House
With the renewed emphasis on bringing operations closer to home after supply chain disruptions, in-housing laser manufacturing can seem viable or even recommended. Yet the cost calculation makes a strong case for outsourcing.
“If you want to go out and buy a laser today,” Jones says, “you’re going to pay several million just to acquire the system. How many parts do you need to cut to make up the difference? That gap in cost can outstrip the cost of the machine.”
"It’s not enough just to hear assurances—you want to know what your partner’s supply chain looks like to ensure operations stay consistent. "
Jarrett Jones, LaserFlex
Manufacturers who already have their laser systems benefit the most from outsourcing. When demand outstrips capacity, these firms rest easier knowing a trusted partner can handle the overflow.
“We have over 100 locations,” Hack notes. “That allows us to be flexible when one of our partners hits a bottleneck. There’s no delay to operations compared to operating entirely in-house.”
Choosing The Right Laser Cutting Partner
The ability to handle demand at volume sets Ryerson apart as a metal fabrication provider. “If something catastrophic happens, we always have someone in the pipeline who can handle the demand. There’s no disruption when you’re working with our network,” says Jones.
“Because of how large we are, our buying power makes a big difference,” Hack adds. Compared to service centers that need to procure parts externally, Ryerson’s network of supply chain partners offers best-in-class resilience and stability.
“It’s the vertical integration of Ryerson as a whole that sets us apart,” Jones notes. “Typically, if you’re looking for a laser cut part, you’re doing something with it. There’s probably another process behind that: forming, welding, machining, powder coating, etc.
With Ryerson, we do it all under one roof, whether it’s us or our network. You’re getting that high level of expertise and the flexible capacity to handle what comes next, precisely what our partners are looking for now.”
Grow Your Manufacturing with Ryerson
Laser cutting hasn’t made other methods like stamping obsolete yet, but the gap between methods is narrowing. Jones notes that automation has impacted decreasing costs and increasing volume for laser cutting operations.
Keeping up with the pace of change in manufacturing technology is challenging. With Ryerson, company leaders have a partner who understands the complete end-to-end process and the technical innovations like laser cutting that can impact the bottom line.
“It’s tough to understate the importance of having expertise on hand, especially when operations are complex,” says Jones. “It’s not enough just to hear assurances—you want to know what your partner’s supply chain looks like to ensure operations stay consistent. We have that at Ryerson, and it makes all the difference.”
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