February 9, 2026
Laser cutting plays a central role in how Yorkshire Laser transforms raw sheet metal into precision-engineered parts for customers across many industries.
As part of our wider sheet metal fabrication capability, laser cutting allows us to deliver high-quality results with speed, accuracy and consistency, even on complex projects with tight tolerances.
Based in Leeds, Yorkshire Laser provides a professional laser cutting service that supports everything from one-off components to repeat production. By combining modern laser cutting machines with strong production controls, we help customers save time, reduce costs and keep projects moving without unnecessary delays.
In a series of blogs, we'll walk you through some of these processes, including laser cutting, metal bending, welding, powder coating, and assembly, showing you just what’s involved in sheet metal fabrication at YLF.
The journey begins with laser cutting, the most versatile process for profiling sheet metal components from flat, raw sheets.
Laser cutting is a metal cutting process that uses a highly focused laser beam to cut or profile material along a programmed path. The laser heats the material until it melts or vaporises, while a high-pressure stream of assist gas clears the cut and protects the surface finish.
At Yorkshire Laser, we use CNC laser cutting machines powered by fibre laser technology. Fibre lasers offer fast processing speeds, excellent cut quality and greater efficiency than older cutting methods like CO₂ laser profiling, making them ideal for modern metal fabrication. Because the process is computer-controlled, laser cutting delivers consistent results without physical contact, reducing distortion and improving accuracy.
This makes laser cutting particularly effective for intricate cutting, small holes and complex shapes that would be difficult to achieve using other cutting methods.
Laser cutting is highly versatile and suitable for a wide range of materials. Our in-house capabilities allow us to laser cut:
● Mild steel and carbon steel
● Stainless steel
● Aluminium
● Copper and other non-ferrous materials
We work with various thicknesses and sheet sizes, selecting the most appropriate cutting method for each material type. Fibre lasers perform especially well when cutting thin materials, maintaining burr free edge quality and precision without excessive heat input.
Careful control of material usage helps reduce waste and keeps project costs competitive, particularly on larger production runs or complex projects.
One of the main advantages of CNC laser cutting is repeatability. Once a design has been programmed, laser cutters can produce laser-cut parts with the same level of precision time after time. This consistency is essential for fabrication projects where components must fit accurately during bending, welding or assembly.
Laser cutting also integrates smoothly with other services under one roof, including CNC punching and CNC folding. Keeping processes in-house reduces handling time, shortens lead times and helps maintain quality standards throughout the entire production process.
Laser cutting is widely used across many industries, including automotive, electronics, construction and general manufacturing. It is particularly well suited to complex shapes, intricate designs and projects that demand high precision.
Whether producing enclosures, brackets or precision parts, laser cutting offers the flexibility needed to adapt to different materials, thicknesses and production requirements.
Choosing laser cutting as part of a fabrication project offers clear benefits. Customers benefit from:
● Fast processing speeds and rapid lead times
● High-quality cut edges with minimal finishing required
● Cost-effective production with reduced material waste
● The ability to produce complex shapes accurately
● Consistent results across minimum order quantities and larger runs
Laser cutting is often combined with sheet metal prototyping to validate designs before production, helping reduce risk and improve overall efficiency.
At Yorkshire Laser, laser cutting is more than just a standalone process. It forms the foundation of our wider metal fabrication service, supporting projects from initial design through to finished production.
Specialising in thin gauge steel, typically ranging from0.5mm to 3mm thickness, we cater to industries like automotive, electronics, power generation, telecoms and construction, utilising a range of core processes from our technology-driven toolbox to ensure our products are durable, consistently accurate and ready for real-world application.
Our talented team works with modern laser cutting machines, trusted material suppliers and proven production processes to deliver reliable results at competitive prices. By keeping key services in-house, we maintain control over quality, lead times and consistency, helping ensure every project meets specification.
Other benefits include reduced material waste, and tolerances as tight as ±0.1mm. Our automatic sheet loading towers and part picking facilities enable us to provide a 24-hour lights-out operation, meaning increased capacity and efficiency for us and a faster throughput and more competitive pricing for you. So, whether we're producing brackets, enclosures, or custom panels, laser cutting sets the foundation for quality, reliable lead times and affordable pricing at YLF.
