CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum

CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum from VT machining delivers precision Molybdenum parts produced to your exact drawing. CNC fiber laser cutting follows a programmed path to cut sheet and plate with a clean, narrow kerf, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Molybdenum, which is very high melting point and thermal stability.

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

CNC Laser Cutting Capability for Molybdenum

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

Molybdenum Material Data

Molybdenum — typical properties, quoted for Pure Mo / TZM
Density10.22 g/cm³
Tensile strength550–900 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)480 MPa
Hardness200–250 HV
Melting point2623 °C
Thermal conductivity138 W/m·K
Thermal expansion4.8 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity34%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)30%
Grades we runPure Mo (99.95%), TZM, Mo-La, MoCu

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

Machining Molybdenum — what actually causes trouble

Below its ductile-to-brittle transition it chips rather than cuts. Sharp corners get a radius, and thin sections are wire-EDM cut instead of milled.

How CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum Works

A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the Molybdenum 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 Molybdenum

CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum — 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.

Design Tips for CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum

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 Molybdenum. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

CNC Laser Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish

Laser-cut Molybdenum 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.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Most Molybdenum 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.

Working with Molybdenum

Molybdenum is very high melting point and thermal stability. 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.

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.

Applications of CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum

Molybdenum 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 Molybdenum

Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Molybdenum 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 Molybdenum

Three representative CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum 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
Molybdenum
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
Molybdenum
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
Molybdenum
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 Molybdenum

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
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
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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 Molybdenum

  • 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 Molybdenum 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 Molybdenum

Send the drawing, the Molybdenum 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 Molybdenum require dedicated tooling?

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

What is CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum and how is it done?

CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum refers to cNC fiber laser cutting follows a programmed path to cut sheet and plate with a clean, narrow kerf. Applied to Molybdenum — very high melting point and thermal stability — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.

Why is Molybdenum a good choice for CNC Laser Cutting?

Molybdenum is very high melting point and thermal stability, which makes it well suited to CNC Laser Cutting. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Molybdenum cutting part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.

Which industries use CNC Laser Cutting Molybdenum parts?

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