VT machining provides CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys for customers who need accurate, repeatable Hard Alloys components. Because Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
CNC Laser Cutting Capability for Hard Alloys
- Fiber 1–6 kW
- Kerf 0.1–0.3 mm
- Contour ±0.05 mm
- N₂/O₂ assist gas
Hard Alloys Material Data
| Density | 14.5 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 2000–3500 (TRS) MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | — |
| Hardness | 88–93 HRA / 1300–1800 HV |
| Melting point | 2870 (WC) °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 70–100 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 5.0 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 10% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | grind / EDM only |
| Grades we run | YG6, YG8, YG15 (K10–K30), D2, H13, M2, SKD11 |
Published typical values for WC-Co (YG8 / K20). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Everything is done by grinding, wire EDM or sinker EDM. Design in a small corner radius wherever possible — a true sharp internal corner doubles the EDM time.
How CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys Works
A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the Hard Alloys 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.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Contour dimension | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Hole diameter | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Kerf width | 0.20 mm | 0.10 mm |
| Squareness of cut edge | 0.5° | 0.2° |
| Heat-affected zone | 0.15 mm | 0.05 mm (N₂ assist) |
| Minimum hole diameter | 1.2 × thickness | 1.0 × thickness |
| Edge condition | light dross | burr-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.
Working with Hard Alloys
Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
Design Tips for CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Keeping holes no smaller than the material thickness, allowing for kerf, and grouping features sensibly improves edge quality and nesting yield on Hard Alloys. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Hard Alloys parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
CNC Laser Cutting Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
CNC Laser Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish
Laser-cut Hard Alloys holds contour tolerances around ±0.05 mm depending on thickness, with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
Applications of CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys
Hard Alloys parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Hard Alloys grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Hard Alloys
Three representative CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys 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.
Gasket / shim set
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- 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.
Machine guard panel
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- 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.
Control panel face
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- 400 × 300 × 1.5 mm
- Key callouts
- Cutout position ±0.10 mm, no dross on visible face
- Batch
- 600 pcs
Cut with nitrogen so the edge takes powder coat without secondary grinding.
Finishing Options for Hard Alloys
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
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.
What We Need to Quote CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys
- 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 Hard Alloys 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 Hard Alloys
Send the drawing, the Hard Alloys grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What surface finish is achievable on Hard Alloys with CNC Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting leaves a clean cut face on Hard Alloys with a small heat-affected zone; most parts need little secondary finishing.
Does CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys require dedicated tooling?
Most Hard Alloys cutting work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
Why is Hard Alloys a good choice for CNC Laser Cutting?
Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials, which makes it well suited to CNC Laser Cutting. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Hard Alloys cutting part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Laser Cutting Hard Alloys?
Achievable tolerances for Hard Alloys cutting depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Laser cutting holds contour tolerances to around ±0.05 mm depending on thickness. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.