Laser Cutting Time per Part Calculator
Laser quotes often fail on time, not material. This calculator splits a job into cutting, piercing and handling so you can see where the minutes go and what changes when the feed rate or contour count changes.
Your numbers
Total contour length including holes and slots.
One pierce per contour: outer profile plus each hole or slot.
Use the blended feed after corner slowdown, not the machine maximum.
Depends on material, thickness and laser power.
Rapid moves between contours.
Include pallet change and part sort if not automated.
Your results
Use feed rates and pierce times from your own machine cutting chart for the material, gas and thickness. This is an estimating tool, not a CAM simulation.
Total job time vs cutting feed rate
Sweeps Average cutting feed rate from 1 to 12, holding your other inputs fixed.
Estimate vs actual laser time
Want a comparison of quoted and reported machine time from your ERP? Tell us what system you use. Optional.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use it
Enter the total job quantity, cut length and pierce count for one part, then your average feed rate. Use a blended feed rate rather than the top speed from the cutting chart, since corners, small holes and lead-ins slow the head. Add pierce time and rapid positioning per pierce, then sheet count and handling time. The tool returns total minutes, seconds per part and parts per hour, plus the share of run time spent piercing. Small parts with many holes are often pierce dominated, which changes what you optimise.
The method
Cutting time is quantity times cut length divided by feed rate. Pierce and positioning time is quantity times pierces times the sum of pierce and move seconds, converted to minutes. Handling time is sheets times load and unload minutes. Total time is the sum of the three. This mirrors how most CAM and nesting packages build a machine time estimate, minus lead-in and corner detail. Compare it with the time your nesting software gives and calibrate your blended feed rate from actual job history.
- Cut time = parts x length / feed
- Pierce time = parts x pierces x (pierce + move) / 60
- Handling = sheets x change minutes
Reading the result
If the pierce share is above about a third of run time, reducing contours through common line cutting, microjoints or fewer small holes may beat a faster feed rate. If handling dominates, consider larger sheets, automation or better nest grouping. The chart shows diminishing returns: doubling the feed rate does not halve the time once piercing and handling are fixed. Record real run times in your ERP routing so next quote starts from actual data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What feed rate should I enter?
Use an average that includes corner slowdown and small features, usually well below the machine maximum for that material and thickness. Calibrate it by comparing past jobs with the nest report time.
Does this include gas and power cost?
No. This tool is for time. Multiply total minutes by your machine rate, which should include power, gas, lens and nozzle wear, depreciation and labour, to build a cost.
How do I reduce pierce time?
Use common line cutting, fewer contours, lower power piercing strategies where the machine allows, or consolidate small holes by redesign. Pierce time rises quickly with thickness.
Why is parts per hour lower than expected?
Handling, sorting and sheet changes often add more time than operators expect, especially for small parts. Check the handling share and consider automation or tabbed nesting.
We can compare estimated laser times against actual shop floor reporting in your ERP, so quotes use measured cycle times rather than guesses.
Related Tools
Sheet Metal Scrap Credit and Net Material Cost Calculator
Compute the material cost of a nested sheet, subtract the scrap value of the skeleton, and get a net material cost per part.
Costing & FinancePress Brake Batch Size and Setup Amortisation Calculator
Calculate the batch size where setup time stops dominating bending cost, and see cost per part fall as quantity rises.
Costing & FinanceSheet Metal Routing Operation Cost Worksheet
List each operation from laser to powder coat, enter setup and run minutes and hourly rates, and see hours and cost per operation and in total.
Discrete ManufacturingSheet Metal Flat Blank Length Calculator
Turn outside leg dimensions and bend data into the flat pattern length, using outside setback, bend allowance and bend deduction.
More Discrete Manufacturing tools
See all- Sheet Metal Bend Allowance Calculator
- Sheet Metal K-Factor Worksheet
- Press Brake Tonnage Calculator
- Sheet Metal Gauge Thickness Chart
- Sheet Metal Nesting Yield Calculator
- Punching Force Calculator for Sheet Metal
- Press Brake Die Opening and Minimum Flange Calculator
- Sheet Metal Springback and Overbend Calculator
- OEE Calculator (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)