CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys

CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys from VT machining delivers precision Hard Alloys parts produced to your exact drawing. CNC plasma cutting uses an ionized gas jet to sever thicker conductive plate at high speed, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Hard Alloys, which is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials.

CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys at VT machining
CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Plasma Cutting Capability for Hard Alloys

  • Plate to 30+ mm
  • High cutting speed
  • Conductive metals
  • Bevel-cut capable

Hard Alloys Material Data

Hard Alloys — typical properties, quoted for WC-Co (YG8 / K20)
Density14.5 g/cm³
Tensile strength2000–3500 (TRS) MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)
Hardness88–93 HRA / 1300–1800 HV
Melting point2870 (WC) °C
Thermal conductivity70–100 W/m·K
Thermal expansion5.0 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity10%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)grind / EDM only
Grades we runYG6, 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.

Machining Hard Alloys — what actually causes trouble

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 Plasma 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.

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 Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys

CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys — 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 Plasma 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 Hard Alloys part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

CNC Plasma 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.

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.

Design Tips for CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys

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

Working with Hard Alloys

As a material, Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials. 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 Hard Alloys 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.

Applications of CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys

Customers order CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys 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 Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys

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 Hard Alloys

Three representative CNC Plasma 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.

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.

Bracket blank

Material
Hard Alloys
Size
250 × 120 × 4 mm
Key callouts
Contour ±0.10 mm, bend-relief notches
Batch
800 pcs

Bend reliefs cut in at the same time so the press brake does not tear the corner.

Battery busbar

Material
Hard Alloys
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 Hard Alloys

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
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 Plasma 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 Plasma 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 Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys?

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

What surface finish is achievable on Hard Alloys with CNC Plasma Cutting?

Laser cutting leaves a clean cut face on Hard Alloys with a small heat-affected zone; most parts need little secondary finishing.

Can VT machining make custom Hard Alloys parts to my drawing?

Yes. Hard Alloys Hard Alloys 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.

What is CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys and how is it done?

CNC Plasma Cutting Hard Alloys refers to cNC plasma cutting uses an ionized gas jet to sever thicker conductive plate at high speed. Applied to Hard Alloys — wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.

Why is Hard Alloys a good choice for CNC Plasma Cutting?

Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials, which makes it well suited to CNC Plasma Cutting. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Hard Alloys cutting part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.