In precision engineering and fabrication, tolerances are critical. When you’re designing a part, knowing what tolerances are realistically achievable can save time, reduce costs, and avoid delays in production. Simply put: precision matters – and understanding the limits of different cutting and forming methods is essential to making the right design decisions.
At West Country Profiles, we work closely with our customers to help define and meet the tightest tolerances possible across laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and press braking.
Laser Cutting Tolerances
Laser cutting is known for its accuracy, particularly on thin to medium-thickness metals. The precision of the laser beam allows for very fine detail and clean, consistent edges.
- Typical Tolerance: ±0.1mm
- Ideal For: Sheet metal parts, intricate profiles, fine features
- Material Suitability: Stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium and more
Laser cutting is an excellent choice when your design calls for tight, repeatable tolerances with minimal post-processing. It’s especially effective in high-volume runs where consistency is key.
Waterjet Cutting Tolerances
While waterjet cutting is slightly less precise than laser cutting, it makes up for this with its ability to cut through thicker and more varied materials without heat distortion.
- Typical Tolerance: Slightly wider than laser, but can still achieve a high degree of accuracy depending on material and thickness
- Ideal For: Heat-sensitive or layered materials, thicker gauges, complex shapes
- Material Suitability: Plastics, composites, stone, glass, metals and more
If your job involves materials that can’t be exposed to high heat, or requires clean, burr-free edges on thick substrates, waterjet is often the best option.
Press Braking Tolerances
Forming and bending parts adds another layer of complexity when it comes to tolerances. Accuracy in press braking depends on several factors, including:
- Material type and thickness
- Tooling used
- The complexity and number of bends
Because these variables affect the final outcome, we always recommend discussing your project with us during the design stage. Our team can advise on the best achievable specs, suggest design modifications if needed, and ensure that the final part meets your performance and fitment needs.
Collaboration Is Key
Precision isn’t just about machines — it’s also about partnership. By working closely with you from the outset, we can highlight any potential tolerance challenges, advise on best practices, and ensure that your components are delivered exactly as specified.
Have a project in mind? Email us at sales@westcountryprofiles.co.uk to discuss your requirements, or visit www.westcountryprofiles.co.uk for more about our profiling and forming services.
