Aluminum Laser Cutting.
Yes, we laser cut aluminum. Upload a STEP or DXF and see the price for laser cut aluminum parts in 5052 or 6061 right away. Our fiber laser cuts aluminum up to 1.000″, depending on the material, and our waterjet takes plate up to 4.00″. No minimum order. We cut in Littleton, Massachusetts and ship across the US.
No CAD file? Send us a drawing, PDF or photo. Or call (800) 951-5127.
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Laser cut aluminum parts, priced in one upload.
Aluminum laser cutting is the quickest way to make flat aluminum parts, from thin covers to 1″ plate. Aluminum reflects a lot of laser light, so we cut it on a fiber laser, which handles reflective metals well.
We stock 6061-T6 from 0.032″ to 1″ and 5052-H32 from 0.040″ to 1/4″, so most aluminum parts price instantly and ship in days. Thicker plate goes on our waterjet, in the same building.
- Up to 1.000″ on the laser, depending on the material
- Up to 4.00″ on the waterjet, with no heat affected zone
- Parts up to 58″ × 118″, deburred as standard
Aluminum at a glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Alloys on the shelf | 6061-T6 and 5052-H32 |
| Stocked thickness | 0.032″ to 1.000″ |
| Laser cutting thickness | up to 1.000″, depending on material |
| Waterjet cutting thickness | up to 4.00″ |
| Maximum part size | 58″ × 118″ |
| Minimum part size, laser | 0.500″ × 0.500″ |
5052 and 6061 aluminum, both on the shelf.
5052-H32, the one that bends
It folds tight without cracking and stands up well to salt and marine exposure. Use it for enclosures, chassis, covers and brackets with tight bends. On our shelf from 0.040″ to 1/4″.
6061-T6, the one that carries load
Stronger and stiffer than 5052. It machines and taps cleanly and takes a clean anodize. Use it for mounting plates, gussets and frames. On our shelf from 0.032″ to 1″.
Choosing between them? Read 5052 vs 6061 aluminum. Need another alloy? Send the drawing for a custom quote and an estimator will confirm the material before you order.
Aluminum thicknesses we stock.
Every stocked thickness prices instantly in the quote portal. Anything marked custom quote can be sourced, and an estimator confirms the price and lead time.
Aluminum is ordered by decimal thickness more often than by gauge, so put the decimal on your drawing. Our sheet metal gauge chart shows the gauge for each thickness.
| Thickness | 6061-T6 | 5052-H32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0.032″ | Stocked | Custom quote |
| 0.040″ | Stocked | Stocked |
| 1/16″ | Stocked | Stocked |
| 0.080″ | Stocked | Custom quote |
| 0.090″ | Stocked | Stocked |
| 1/8″ | Stocked | Stocked |
| 3/16″ | Stocked | Stocked |
| 1/4″ | Stocked | Stocked |
| 3/8″ | Stocked | Custom quote |
| 1/2″ | Stocked | Custom quote |
| 3/4″ | Stocked | Custom quote |
| 1″ | Stocked | Custom quote |
| Over 1″ to 4.00″ | Waterjet, custom quote | |
Laser cutting or water jet cutting aluminum?
On sheet and light plate the fiber laser is the faster choice. The cut uses heat, so a thin heat affected zone can form along the edge.
Water jet cutting aluminum makes sense for thick plate, up to 4.00″, and for parts where heat should stay out of the metal. Our abrasive waterjet cuts cold, so there is no heat affected zone at the edge. Thick 6061 plate is natural waterjet work.
Both machines run in the same building, and you pick the process per part. Read Cutting Thick Metal: Waterjet vs Laser for the details.
Can a CO2 laser cut aluminum?
Aluminum reflects much of a CO2 laser's light, which is one reason shops cut it on fiber lasers. At ACP all aluminum runs on the fiber laser or the waterjet. Our Kern CO2 laser is kept for acrylic and selected plastics.
What about burrs and dross?
Laser cut aluminum edges come out sharp, and every part is deburred before it ships unless you ask otherwise. Tell us if a face is cosmetic and we will advise on the best process.
Custom aluminum fabrication, from cut to finished part.
Custom aluminum fabrication at ACP means the whole part in one shop: cut on the laser or waterjet, bent on TRUMPF press brakes up to 96″, tapped, fitted with hardware and deburred.
Bent without cracking
5052 bends tight. 6061-T6 can crack on a sharp bend, so give it a larger inside radius, or move formed parts to 5052.
Hardware pressed in
Nuts, studs and standoffs go into aluminum panels on our own insertion press, after bending, on the same order.
Thick plate on the waterjet
Aluminum plate over 1″, up to 4.00″ thick, goes on our abrasive waterjet, with no heat affected zone at the edge.
Need the whole assembly? Our aluminum fabrication services cover cutting, bending, tapping, hardware and finishing in one order. Anodizing and powder coat run through vetted partners after cutting and forming. See real parts on our projects page.
Aluminum parts our customers order.
Enclosures and chassis
Formed 5052 boxes, covers and wraps with tight bends.
Plates and gussets
6061-T6 mounting plates and gussets that carry load.
Brackets and frames
Light brackets and frames for robotics and automation builds.
Prototypes and one offs
No minimum order, so one part prices the same way as a run.
“ACP did a great job with our prototype. The online quoting tool was super simple to use and helped add some useful feedback to help improve our design.”
Laser cut aluminum, priced in minutes.
No emails back and forth, no waiting for a quote. Upload your file and watch the price change as you pick options. Here is how online metal fabrication works at ACP.
Upload your file
Drag in a STEP, STP or DXF. Your files stay private and you retain all intellectual rights.
Pick 5052 or 6061
Choose the alloy and thickness, set the quantity, and add operations like bending or tapping.
See price and lead time
The price updates as you change options, so you can adjust the design to fit your budget.
Check out and we cut
Approve the order and it goes straight into our schedule in Littleton, Massachusetts.
Upload a file, pick your options, and see price and lead time instantly. Try it live →
Common questions
Can you laser cut aluminum?
Yes. We laser cut 5052-H32 and 6061-T6 aluminum on our fiber laser, up to 1.000″ thick depending on the material, and every part ships deburred. Upload a STEP or DXF to see the price right away.
How thick can you laser cut aluminum?
Up to 1.000″, depending on the material. For thicker aluminum plate, our waterjet cuts up to 4.00″.
Which aluminum alloys do you stock?
6061-T6 from 0.032″ to 1″ and 5052-H32 from 0.040″ to 1/4″. Other alloys can be sourced for a custom quote.
Can a CO2 laser cut aluminum?
Aluminum reflects much of a CO2 laser's light, so we cut all aluminum on our fiber laser or our waterjet. Our Kern CO2 laser handles acrylic and selected plastics.
Is laser or water jet cutting better for aluminum?
The laser is faster on sheet and light plate. Water jet cutting is the better fit for thick plate, up to 4.00″, and for parts that must stay free of a heat affected zone. Both run in our shop, and you pick per part.
Can 6061 aluminum be bent?
Yes, with a larger inside radius. 6061-T6 can crack if it is folded sharp, especially across the grain. For parts with a lot of tight bends, 5052-H32 is the safer choice.
Do you anodize or powder coat aluminum parts?
Yes, through vetted finishing partners. Select the finish on your order and we schedule it after cutting and forming.
What tolerances do you hold on laser cut aluminum?
Holes and hole locations ±0.005″ and outside profiles ±0.010″ on parts up to 24″ × 24″. Add ±0.002″ to the profile for every 12″ beyond that. Tighter tolerances need a custom quote.
How fast can I get laser cut aluminum parts?
Instant quote orders ship in 7 business days and custom quotes in 14. You can expedite to 3 business days or the next business day. Order cut off is 1pm ET.
Is there a minimum order?
No. One prototype quotes and ships the same way as a production run.
Explore more services.
Add more processes to your order and get finished parts from one shop.
Laser Cutting
Steel, stainless, aluminum and acrylic, priced online in one upload.
Stainless Steel Laser Cutting
304 and 316 stainless, laser cut up to 1.000″ thick.
Waterjet Cutting
No heat affected zone, material up to 4.00″ thick, plus plastics and composites.
Sheet Metal Bending
Turn flat laser cut blanks into 3D parts on our press brake, up to 96″.
Hardware Insertion
PEM and press in fasteners installed so parts arrive assembly ready.
Finishing & Coating
Anodize, powder coat and plating through trusted partners, managed by us.
Have an aluminum part ready to cut?
Upload your file for instant pricing and lead times. Complex or multi process jobs get an estimator checked quote from our team.