How to prepare a file for laser cutting

What file does laser cutting need — DXF or DWG?

A laser cutter reads a vector file — a mathematical description of lines, not pixels. A vector file is also called a drawing or a CAD file; these mean the same thing, and what matters is that the contours are stored as lines. The most trouble-free format is DXF (AutoCAD 2000-2018), which our cutting software imports directly. We also accept DWG, Adobe Illustrator (.ai), CorelDRAW (.cdr), SVG, and vector PDF. If the drawing was made in CorelDRAW or Illustrator, still export to DXF before sending — that avoids layer and font corruption between programs. JPG, PNG and BMP are raster files: they cannot be cut directly and must be converted to vector first, which takes extra time and often a separate fee.

• DXF — recommended, AutoCAD 2000-2018 version
• DWG, AI, CDR, SVG, vector PDF — also accepted
• JPG, PNG, BMP — not cuttable directly, needs vectorization

Why must the drawing be 1:1 scale with closed contours?

The drawing must be made at real size — 1:1 scale, in millimeters, not inches. A file that has been scaled up or down produces a part cut at the wrong size. The second condition is closed contours: each line must start and end at the same point, with no gap. With an open contour the software cannot tell inside from outside, and the cut comes out incomplete. Also delete duplicate and overlapping lines: a doubled line means the laser passes the same path twice, which burns the edge and adds cutting time. Before sending, run your program's 'join/weld' and 'overkill' functions, which find both faults automatically.

What is the minimum hole diameter for laser cutting?

Assessing hole diameter involves sheet thickness, metal grade, nearby contours, assist gas and machine settings. Heat accumulation in small holes can affect shape and edge quality. Send the required dimensions and tolerances; the team confirms the manufacturable minimum from the drawing. If the requirement does not suit laser cutting, the material, geometry or subsequent processing may need to change.

How much clearance do parts need, and what is kerf?

Kerf is the width of material removed by the cut and depends on the material and machine settings. Specify the required finished dimensions and tolerances in the drawing. Agree on kerf compensation before adjusting geometry so it is not applied twice in the drawing and machine program. Press-fit parts, small holes and tightly nested outlines also need review of heat effects and spacing.

How do I separate cut lines from engrave lines in one file?

If one part needs both operations — cutting the outline and engraving a logo — separate them by color or by layer. A widely used convention is red for cutting and black for engraving; we confirm the exact color coding when you place the order, so your own scheme also works as long as it's described in the file. Text must always be converted to outlines ('Convert to Curves' or 'Create Outlines') — if it stays as an editable font and we don't have that font installed, the letters shift or vanish from the file. This is the most commonly skipped step and the one that most often stalls file processing. Engraved characters on metal should be at least 3mm tall, below which legibility is lost.

What if the part needs bending?

This deserves a direct answer: we cut and engrave metal, but we do not bend it — a press brake, milling machine and lathe are not part of our equipment. If a part must be bent, we cut the flat piece and hand the bending to a vetted partner workshop. In that case send the drawing as a flat pattern, with bend lines on a separate layer and the angle noted — they must not be mixed into the cut contour. Keep in mind that metal stretches when bent, so the flat dimension is smaller than the sum of the finished part's sides; that allowance depends on the bend radius and we confirm it with the partner before cutting starts.