We've Added CO2 Laser Cutting to Our Leeds Workshop
We're pleased to announce that CO2 laser cutting is now available from our Leeds workshop. From today, you can order precision-cut sheet parts in acrylic, MDF, plywood, leather, rubber, fabric, and more — alongside our existing 3D printing and CNC machining services.
Why we added laser cutting
3D printing is exceptional at complex geometry. CNC machining is unbeatable for tight-tolerance metal parts. But for flat sheet work — panels, enclosures, gaskets, models, signage — both technologies are either overkill or a poor fit. We've had clients asking us to refer them elsewhere for laser cut parts for a while, and we got tired of doing it.
Adding CO2 laser cutting to the workshop means we can now handle a much wider range of prototyping and production jobs in-house, without you needing to manage multiple suppliers or wait on quotes from different places.
What we can cut
Our CO2 laser handles a wide range of sheet materials:
- Acrylic (cast and extruded, all standard colours and clear) — clean, polished edges straight off the machine, no secondary finishing needed
- MDF and plywood (3 mm to 18 mm) — ideal for architectural models, jigs, and structural sheet parts
- Cardboard and greyboard — great for packaging prototypes, presentation models, and net development
- Leather and synthetic leather — clean cuts with no fraying, suitable for accessories and upholstery samples
- Rubber and neoprene — cut-to-shape gaskets, seals, and anti-vibration pads
- Fabric and felt — repeatable, accurate cuts for soft goods prototyping and custom textiles
We can also engrave on most of these materials — text, logos, patterns, and surface detail — in the same setup as the cut, at no extra charge.
How it complements our other services
One thing we're particularly excited about is combining laser cutting with our existing capabilities. A few examples of what's now possible in a single order:
- Laser cut acrylic panels combined with FDM printed mounts and clips — for custom enclosures and instrument housings
- Laser cut MDF formwork with SLS nylon functional inserts — for prototyping composite assemblies
- Laser engraved identification plates alongside CNC machined metal brackets — for production-ready labelled components
- Laser cut gaskets paired with a 3D printed housing — for sealed prototype enclosures
If your project needs more than one process, we can quote and deliver everything together rather than you piecing it together from multiple suppliers.
File formats and getting started
To order laser cut parts, send us a DXF or SVG file with cut and engrave lines on separate layers (or in different colours). If you're working in a standard CAD package or illustration tool, both formats are standard exports. If you only have a PDF or a rasterised image, get in touch and we can advise.
Lead time for most single-material jobs is one to two business days. For mixed-material jobs or larger batches, we'll confirm timing when you enquire.
Head to our laser cutting service page for more detail on materials, tolerances, and file requirements, or get in touch with your project and we'll get you a quote.
We're always adding new capabilities — follow along on our blog or contact us directly if there's something you need that isn't listed.