Laser cutting nickel

Laser cutting nickel – precise, dimensionally stable, and reproducible

Nickel offers impressive corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and excellent processing properties—ideal for applications in plant engineering, chemical processengineering, microelectronics, and industrial manufacturing.

LaserJob uses state-of-the-art lasertechnology to process nickel sheets in the range of 0.1–2.0 mm with precise contours and reproducibility, even with complex geometries and microfinestructures. To achieve optimal results, we carefully adjust the lasertype, power, pulseduration, focusposition, and feedrate according to the material. The result is dimensionally accurate, low-burrcuts with minimal heat input and low material stress. As a flexible service provider, we guarantee fast response times, high-quality work, and reliable delivery.

LaserJob – Your specialist in precise nickel laser cutting.

Your experts for laser cutting nickel

Precise CAD data: Experienced colleagues convert your drawing or sketch into CAD format. We manufacture optimizedto the tolerance center.

The perfect combination of machine and manual work: CNC-controlled laser cutting systems implement CAD data with µm precision. And yet, often only manual intervention in the cutting sequence can achieve the perfect result.

Technical understanding of your project: To manufacture your workpiece in the best possible way, we first record all technical requirements and try to understand its intended use precisely. This allows us not only to manufacture with precision, but also to provide you with specific advice and, if necessary, make suggestions for optimization.

Optimized cutting parameters: Minimal edge roughness is achieved through a combination of precise focusing, optimal cutting parameters, and dynamic beam shaping, based on many years of in-depth industry experience.

High-quality optics and machine precision: Our high-quality laser cutting machines with precise control of optics and cutting parameters contribute significantly to edge quality.

Material and thickness adjustment: Choosing the right material and using thinner materials in combination with optimally adjusted parameters results in lower roughness. With thicker materials, precise coordination of laser power and cutting speed is crucial for component quality.

Minimal heat-affected zone: The combination of a small focus diameter and cutting speeds reduces thermal stresses on the material, thereby minimizing material warpage.

Dynamic power control: Our modern fiber lasers adjust power in real time through pulse modulation and beam shaping. For thin materials, the energy supply is precisely controlled to minimize heat input. Depending on the material type and thickness, these technologies achieve tolerances of ±0.005 mm even with complex geometries, such as those used in aerospace or medical technology.

Excellent reproducibility: Thanks to CNC control and automation, modern laser cutting systems cut every part with extremely high precision and repeat accuracy. Computer-aided control ensures that even in large series, every workpiece is practically identical.

High cost-effectiveness: Laser cutting is fast, enables short setup times, and allows tool-free switching between different designs. This saves time and money, especially with varying or small batch sizes.

Minimal post-processing: High cutting quality and clean edges significantly reduce stress on the material, leading to lower post-processing effort and costs.

Our technologies

LaserJob utilizes advanced technologies and innovative processes to achieve maximum precision and efficiency in laser cutting nickel. Our method blends technical excellence with customized solutions designed specifically for your needs.

Our production

Our manufacturing conditions – precision and perfection

Climate-controlled production environment: Consistent temperatures ensure maximum precision and process reliability.
Versatile cutting areas: By expanding the cutting areas to 600 x 2000 mm and 1000 x 1000 mm, we can implement even more of your ideas. We specialize in material thicknesses from 10 µm to 3.0 mm.
In-house designed production machines: Our production machines were designed in-house to enhance the capabilities of conventional standard machines. When combined with proven laser technology from renowned manufacturers such as Trumpf and Alphalaser, we achieve powerful systems with unique production capabilities.
Versatile machines: 20 production machines enable both optimal production variants for each project and a wide range of services (laser cutting, laser welding, laser engraving, but also micro-bending and small-scale machining processes such as turning, milling, or countersinking).
In-house design and data preparation: Project-oriented and personal support from in-house experts.
Extensive material warehouse: Fast response times and high flexibility thanks to on-site warehousing and short links to renowned suppliers.
Redundant manufacturing systems: Consistent and timely delivery capacity through the use of multiple machines operating simultaneously.

With state-of-the-art technology and strict quality standards, we create solutions that meet the highest requirements—both now and in the future.

Material: Nickel/-alloys

Laser cutting nickel is entirely possible, but places higher demands on the process than, for example, cutting stainless steel.

We process nickel and nickel superalloys (such as Nimonic or Inconel) in thicknesses ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm.

Nickel is a silvery-white, hard, and tough transition metal with high corrosion resistance. It is ferromagnetic up to approximately 355°C and is characterized by high electrical and thermal conductivity. Nickel is an important alloying element in metallurgy. Most stainless steels and superalloys, such as Inconel or Monel, contain nickel.

High corrosion resistance, especially against alkalis and oxidizing acids.
Excellent mechanical strength, even at elevated temperatures.
Good ductility and toughness – easily malleable and tough.
Excellent oxidation resistance at temperatures up to approx. 1,000°C.
Good solderability and weldability.

Nickel is used in the chemical industry, electronics, batteries, heat exchangers, and also in aerospace applications.

Why choose LaserJob?

high accuracy

You can rely on our passion for precision: we meet your requirements with millimeter accuracy.

no matter the quantity

We create products with precision, whether it's a single piece or a series, perfectly suited for prototypes and custom-made solutions.

direct contact

Your benefit: We take care of your request personally—quickly, skillfully, reliably, and we're only happy when you are.

quick delivery

Benefit from our fast delivery times—thanks to our flexible service, even urgent projects always stay on schedule.

Your ideas, our expertise

Let's get your project started!

The fastest way to reach our order colleagues is by email at mail@laserjob.de or by calling us directly during our business hours.

This enables us to process your request efficiently and promptly. Find your personal contact here.

When it comes to material processing, it is almost impossible to give general delivery time estimates. Requirements and projects vary too greatly. Please contact us directly to discuss how quickly we can deliver to you.

Nickel sheets are currently in stock in the following material thicknesses. Other thicknesses can be procured as required.

0.070 mm
0.086 mm
0.100 mm
0.120 mm
0.150 mm
0.200 mm

Alloy 718 (2.4668) is available at short notice in:

0.100 mm
0.150 mm
0.200 mm
0.250 mm
0.305 mm
0.381 mm
0.508 mm

and Alloy Mu (2.4545) in:

0.100 mm
0.200 mm
0.640 mm

We manufacture from a quantity of 1 – ranging from prototypes and individual items to full-scale production.
For maximum flexibility, we ensure reliable delivery of your products, regardless of batch size.

We support a wide range of file formats:

DXF, DWG, IGES/step, and all common 2D and 3D formats can be processed directly.

Image files such as JPEG and TIFF, as well as Photoshop documents, can also be implemented. We can even create exact cutting commands for our lasers from your drawings, whether they are precise designs or spontaneous hand sketches.

Our precise cutting technology enables us to deliver components with minimal or no burrs as standard. The following post-processing methods are available for special requirements:

Brushing
We use a CNC-controlled brushing process to remove burrs on the laser exit side. The brush head moves in a meandering pattern in four directions across the surface to ensure uniform processing.
Polishing and Manual Deburring (Grinding)
For delicate parts with a material thickness of less than 0.2 mm, we recommend manual deburring. This method ensures maximum precision and protects sensitive workpieces.
Vibratory finishing (barrel finishing)
This process is suitable for parts with a material thickness of 0.5 mm or more and a maximum size of 50 x 50 mm. In drums with a capacity of 5 or 10 liters, the workpieces are processed by friction with abrasive media, which rounds off edges and improves surface quality.

Through our extended workbench, we can offer you a wide range of surface treatments, such as:

Technical surface treatments

Electroplating
Passivation
Black oxide finish
Gilding
Sandblasting
Electropolishing
Anodic treatment

Machining

Turning
Milling
Countersinking
Bending
Grinding
Grating and other machining operations

Standard tolerances in the field of laser cutting are specified and manufactured in compliance with ISO 2768f. Even smaller tolerances are always determined by the material, material thickness, and contour.

These tolerances can be warranted based on experience:

±5 µm up to 50 µm material thickness
±10 µm up to 100 µm material thickness
±20 µm up to 600 µm material thickness
±50 µm up to >600 µm material thickness

with a positioning accuracy of ±10 µm.

Additionally, we offer the option to measure the cut parts and document them in an initial sample test report, a CoC certificate, or a test report.

We can also accommodate smaller tolerances if required. Please contact us for more information.

Any further questions? Feel free to contact us directly— Your personal contact is looking forward to your call:

Online inquiry

Robert MassenhauserSales Laser material processing

+49 (0) 8141 52778 - 25 r.massenhauser@laserjob.de

Any further questions?

Let us advice you!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

What is laser cutting?

Laser cutting is a thermal process where solid materials are cut precisely and contactlessly using a highly focused laser beam. The material at the cut point heats up to such a high temperature that it melts, vaporizes, or burns. The removed material is usually extracted from the cut by a gas jet.

Functionality

A laser beam is focused onto a very small point using lenses or mirrors, creating an extremely high energy density.
When the laser beam hits the material, it is heated to a high temperature locally and melts or vaporizes.
A supporting gas flow (e.g., compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen) blows the molten or vaporized material out of the cut.
The cutting process is contactless and causes minimal mechanical stress on the workpiece.

Properties and advantages

Precision: Very fine, complex contours and delicate shapes can be cut with high precision and minimal burr formation (tolerances usually well below 0.1 mm).
Material diversity: LaserJob specializes in metals and metallic foils ranging from 0.01 to 3 mm in thickness. However, our CO² or USP laser can also be used to process plastics, wood, paper, glass, and ceramics.
Cutting quality: Smooth, clean-cut edges, often eliminating the need for post-processing.
Economic efficiency: This method is especially cost-effective for small quantities and prototypes since it does not incur any tool wear.
Speed: High cutting speeds, particularly with thin materials.

Span of application

Laser precision cutting is used in many industries, including:

Metal processing (e.g., sheet metal working)
Mechanical engineering
Automotive
Aerospace industry
Medical technology

Types of laser cutting

Depending on the material and its application, various processes can be distinguished.

Fusion cutting: The material gets melted and blown out with a gas jet.
Burn cutting: The material (mainly steel) gets burned, and the slag is blown out.
Sublimation cutting: The material vaporizes directly without melting.

Laser cutting allows for the creation of high-precision, complex geometries in thin sheets, with the technology particularly excelling in the thin sheet range from 0.01 mm.

The geometry to be cut is defined using CAD data, which can be directly transferred to the machine. The shape and steepness of the cut edges, as well as the smallest cuttable geometries, depend on the material, the type of laser being used, and the laser's focus.

Free-form contour: Arbitrary curved lines, complex patterns, and organic shapes can be precisely implemented.
Internal and external contours: Outer contours as well as openings, slots, windows, drill holes, and filigree cut-outs are possible.
Finest details: Laser fine cutting allows the realization of extremely delicate shapes and very small structures with minimal tolerances of just a few micrometers. (depending on the type and thickness of the material. More information here)
Small radii and bores: Depending on the material thickness, very small bore diameters and tight inner radii are possible. Rule of thumb: a bore diameter of approximately 60% of the material thickness is possible.
High Precision: Depending on the project, our cutting clearance can be as narrow as 36 µm.

The advantages of laser cutting lie in the processing of thin metals with a material thickness of less than 10 mm. In this case, the laser is usually faster, and the quality of the cut edges is more precise. With high cutting accuracy, the laser is better suited for very delicate structures or complex contours.

The advantages of plasma cutting lie in the processing of thick metals over 10 mm with high cutting speeds. Plasma cutting is also more flexible when it comes to surfaces. Even painted or rusted surfaces can be processed without any problems.

Limitations & Areas of Application

Process	Strengths	Weaknesses	Typische Anwendungen
Laser cutting	Highest precision, intricate geometries, fine cutting edges, automated processes	High investment costs, less efficient with thick/oxidized sheets	Thin sheet metal, prototypes, series production, electronics
Plasma cutting	Fast and inexpensive for thick metals, robust, and flexible in terms of sheet metal quality	Lower cutting quality, less precise with thin sheets	Structural steel, container construction, shipbuilding, heavy plate

Laser cutting

is economically advantageous for small series because no physical tools are required for this process. It eliminates the high costs and long lead times normally associated with the manufacture and replacement of punching or cutting tools, as is the case with conventional processes (e.g., punching, milling). This enables a quick start to production and allows for short-term design changes without additional tooling costs.

Other economic advantages for small series include:

Minimal setup times: The refitting to new geometries is software-based and takes only a few minutes, which is particularly important for frequently changing tasks and small quantities.
High flexibility: Different designs and customizations can be implemented without additional effort, as only the digital cutting data needs to be changed.
Precision and material utilization: Laser cutting works with very high precision and minimal cutting gaps, significantly reducing material consumption and waste.
Elimination of post-processing: The cut edges are generally smooth, requiring minimal reworking, saving time and money.

Laser cutting is therefore a particularly economical solution for start-ups, prototype construction, or companies with varying small orders, as it enables fast, flexible, and cost-effective production.

Nickel-Superlegierungen sind spezielle metallische Werkstoffe, bei denen Nickel den Hauptbestandteil bildet (meist >50%). Sie werden entwickelt, um extremen Bedingungen wie sehr hohen Temperaturen und starker Korrosion standzuhalten. Der Oberbegriff „Superlegierungen“ umfasst auch Legierungen mit Eisen- oder Kobalt-Basis, die Nickel-basierten sind jedoch am weitesten verbreitet und am wichtigsten für Hochtemperaturanwendungen wie Gasturbinen und Flugzeugtriebwerke.Nickel-Superlegierungen sind unverzichtbar für sämtliche Einsatzgebiete, in denen extreme Temperaturen, hohe mechanische Belastung und aggressive Umgebungen auftreten. Ihre herausragenden Materialeigenschaften sind das Ergebnis einer komplexen Zusammensetzung und gezielter Mikrostrukturoptimierung.

Eigenschaften von Nickel-Superlegierungen

Hervorragende Hochtemperaturfestigkeit: Sie behalten ihre mechanische Festigkeit und bleiben formstabil selbst bei Temperaturen über 1,000°C.
Hohe Kriech- und Ermüdungsfestigkeit: Sie widerstehen dauerhafter Belastung und Verformung (Kriechen), auch bei hohen Temperaturen.
Hervorragende Korrosions- und Oxidationsbeständigkeit: Sie bilden stabile Oxidschichten, die das Material vor weiterer Schädigung schützen.
Duktilität: Sie bleiben auch bei starker Beanspruchung plastisch verformbar, statt spröde zu brechen.
Mikrostruktur: Typisch ist das Zusammenspiel von verschiedenen festen Lösungen (insb. der γ-Matrix) sowie einer feinen Ausscheidungsphase (γ’-Phase, Ni₃Al), die für die außergewöhnlichen Eigenschaften sorgt.

Typische Legierungselemente

Neben Nickel werden gezielt andere Elemente zugesetzt, z.B.:

Chrom, Molybdän, Wolfram, Kobalt: erhöhen Festigkeit und Korrosionsbeständigkeit.
Aluminium, Titan, Niob: ermöglichen die γ′\gamma'γ′-Ausscheidungshärtung und weitere Verfestigung.
Eisen, Tantal, Zirkonium, Bor: beeinflussen Struktur und Eigenschaften je nach Anforderung.

Anwendungen

Luft- und Raumfahrt: Turbinenschaufeln, Brennkammern und andere Bauteile in Flugzeugtriebwerken.
Energieerzeugung: Kraftwerksturbinen, Dampfgeneratoren.
Chemie- und Verfahrenstechnik: Wärmetauscher, Ventile, Pumpen in korrosiven Medien.
Automobil- und Schiffbau: Ausgewählte Hochtemperatur- und korrosionsbeanspruchte Komponenten.

Bekannte Handelsnamen und Legierungen

Inconel, Incoloy, Hastelloy, Waspaloy, Nimonic

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[Translate to Englisch:] Ein runder schwarzer Schalterring, laserbeschriftet in sehr sauberem Farbabtrag in Weiß mit den Worten "Sport, Pfeilsymbolen und Green"

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Repair instead of replacing:

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