CNC Laser Cutting Brass

VT machining provides CNC Laser Cutting Brass for customers who need accurate, repeatable Brass components. Because Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.

CNC Laser Cutting Brass at VT machining
CNC Laser Cutting Brass — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Laser Cutting Capability for Brass

  • Fiber 1–6 kW
  • Kerf 0.1–0.3 mm
  • Contour ±0.05 mm
  • N₂/O₂ assist gas

Brass Material Data

Brass — typical properties, quoted for C36000
Density8.50 g/cm³
Tensile strength340–470 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)125–310 MPa
Hardness78–130 HB
Melting point885–900 °C
Thermal conductivity115 W/m·K
Thermal expansion20.5 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity26%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)100% (the benchmark)
Grades we runC36000 free-cutting, C37700 forging, C26000 cartridge, C46400 naval

Published typical values for C36000. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining Brass — what actually causes trouble

Nothing much — this is the easiest metal in the shop. Worth asking about if a copper or bronze part is cost-driven rather than conductivity-driven.

How CNC Laser Cutting Brass Works

A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the Brass sheet along the programmed contour. Power, focal position, nozzle stand-off and assist-gas pressure are tuned to the alloy and thickness for a clean, square edge.

Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Laser Cutting Brass

CNC Laser Cutting Brass — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Contour dimension±0.10 mm±0.05 mm
Hole diameter±0.10 mm±0.05 mm
Kerf width0.20 mm0.10 mm
Squareness of cut edge0.5°0.2°
Heat-affected zone0.15 mm0.05 mm (N₂ assist)
Minimum hole diameter1.2 × thickness1.0 × thickness
Edge conditionlight drossburr-free, N₂ cut

Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.

CNC Laser Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish

Laser-cut Brass holds contour tolerances around ±0.05 mm depending on thickness, with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge.

Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.

CNC Laser Cutting Quality & Inspection

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Brass part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

Working with Brass

As a material, Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.

We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished Brass parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

Design Tips for CNC Laser Cutting Brass

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Keeping holes no smaller than the material thickness, allowing for kerf, and grouping features sensibly improves edge quality and nesting yield on Brass. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

Applications of CNC Laser Cutting Brass

Customers order CNC Laser Cutting Brass components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Laser Cutting Brass

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Parts We Have Run in Brass

Three representative CNC Laser Cutting Brass jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.

Machine guard panel

Material
Brass
Size
900 × 600 × 3 mm
Key callouts
Slot pattern ±0.10 mm, hole-to-edge 6 mm
Batch
150 pcs

Cut with common-line pairs to halve the pierce count.

Gasket / shim set

Material
Brass
Size
Ø120 × 0.5 mm
Key callouts
ID/OD ±0.05 mm, no heat discolouration
Batch
3,000 pcs

Small-diameter holes below 1.2 × thickness are punched, not lased.

Battery busbar

Material
Brass
Size
180 × 30 × 2 mm
Key callouts
Contour ±0.08 mm, hole ±0.05 mm
Batch
2,000 pcs

Copper is cut on the fibre laser with a reflective-material head; not every shop can run it.

Finishing Options for Brass

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Nickel plate5–15 µmHard, bright, corrosion resistant
Chrome plate0.3–1 µmDecorative, over nickel
Clear lacquer10–20 µmStops the natural tarnish
Tin plate3–15 µmSolderable contacts
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
Free — no sign-up

No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.

Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Laser Cutting Brass

  • GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
  • MaterialThe exact Brass grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
  • QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
  • TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
  • FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
  • DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.

Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.

Other Metals for CNC Laser Cutting

Other Processes for Brass

Send the drawing, the Brass grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.

Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CNC Laser Cutting Brass require dedicated tooling?

Most Brass cutting work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.

Can VT machining make custom Brass parts to my drawing?

Yes. Brass Brass cutting is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.

How clean are the edges produced by CNC Laser Cutting on Brass?

Laser cutting leaves Brass with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge and only a small heat-affected zone.

Which industries use CNC Laser Cutting Brass parts?

CNC Laser Cutting Brass parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Brass components are required.

What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Laser Cutting Brass?

CNC Laser Cutting prototypes for Brass can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.