Materials we cut
As we have 4 different flatbed cutting methods together under one roof, we have the ability to profile an exhaustive range of metal and non-metallic materials. Our combined processes mean we can cut material from 0.1mm thin to 270mm thick. We keep a large material range in stock and anything we don’t, we can usually source within 24 – 48 hours. Equally, we’re happy to profile cut your free issue material if preferable. Even if it doesn’t appear on the list below, typically, if we can source it, we can cut it.
Profile Cutting Tolerances
At Charles Day Steels, we understand that precision is paramount when it comes to metal cutting. Whether you require laser cutting, waterjet cutting, flame cutting, or plasma cutting services, you can trust us to deliver exceptional results. We adhere to stringent tolerances in accordance with BS EN 10051:2010 for thicknesses, and BS EN 10029:1991 for flatness to ensure your parts meet the highest standards of accuracy and quality.
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting has the ability to effortlessly cut through a range of materials with a precision that is lacking in more traditional areas of profiling technology. Due to it’s fast, effective cutting, incredible accuracy and repeatability, Laser profiling is quickly becoming one of our more popular cutting services.
Laser Profile Cutting Tolerances
With unrivaled capacity and profiling facilities, our laser cutting machines are capable of handling sheet sizes of up to 6 metres x 2.5 metres, and profile cutting tolerances of +/- 0.12mm. Our laser cutting tolerances are in strict accordance with relevant guidelines to guarantee accurate and consistent cuts across a range of materials.. For further guidance and information, please see our dedicated Laser Profile Cutting Tolerances page.
Stainless Steel
We’re able to cut all stainless steel grades from 0.25mm-25mm in thickness on sheets up to 6m x 2.5m.
Carbon and Mild Steel
We can cut carbon steels, in a range of grades, in sizes up to 6m x 2.5m and between 0.25mm-20mm in thickness.
Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys
Up to 5mm thick aluminium can be cut on our fibre laser and up to 10mm on CO2 lasers.
Copper, Brass and Bronze
Traditionally difficult to laser cut, our fibre laser can easily cut up to 5mm thick yellow metal in sizes to 6m x 2.5m.
Titanium
Titanium and titanium alloys of all grades can be profiled using our lasers. We can process titanium sheets up to 6m x 2.5m.
Floor Plate (E.g. Durbar)
We can laser cut floor plate up to 12mm thick overplain (excl. “tear drop” pattern”) in sizes up to 6m x 2.5m.
Wear Plate
Our 6kW laser is able to cut up to 20mm thick, however edge quality can become an issue towards the upper end of our cutting range, where we suggest waterjet cutting.
High Yield Steel Plate
Boiler Plate
Our new 6kW laser is able to process steel boiler plate up to 15mm thick and sheet sizes up to 6m x 2.5m.
Water Cutting
Abrasive waterjet cutting is one of the fastest growing profiling methods. Due in part to its capability to cut almost any material, soft or hard, while maintaining the ability to process highly complex profiles. With a 8.25m x 4m cutting bed, Charles Day possesses one of the largest waterjet cutting beds in the UK.
Waterjet Profile Cutting Tolerances
Providing exceptional accuracy for a wide range of materials, Charles Day’s waterjet cutting offers highly accurate cutting at large scales, processing materials measuring up to 9 metres x 4 metres with top surface profile cutting tolerances of +-0.25mm to >41mm; all in accordance with relevant guidelines and standards.
Carbon and Mild Steel
We can cut carbon steels, in a range of grades, in sizes up to 6m x 2.5m and between 0.25mm-20mm in thickness.
Aluminium
In thicknesses over 5mm, our abrasive waterjet is more cost effective on aluminium up to 230mm.
Stainless Steel
Regardless of grade, we can easily waterjet Stainless Steel up to 230mm without heat or distortion.
Copper, Brass and Bronze
Over 5mm and up to 230mm thick, yellow metals are best suited to our Waterjet cutting machine.
Carbon Fibre
We’re able to cut extremely tough carbon-fibre reinforced plastics, quickly and cleanly in sheets up to 8.25m x 4m.
Titanium
All forms of titanium and titanium alloys up to 230mm can be processed with our 8.25m x 2m abrasive waterjet.
Glass
From thin sheets to thick panels, our abrasive waterjet has the ability to cut plain glass types, except toughened and laminated glass.
Floor Plate (E.g. Durbar)
Our waterjet profling machine can handle floor plate, such as Durbar, in sheets up to 8.25m x 4m.
Marble and Granite
Used for flooring, counter-tops and decorative pieces, we can cut marble and granite products of all types, however a weight limit applies.
Stone
We’re able to cut a range of stone, paving slabs and concrete in applications up to 230mm. As with marble, a weight limit is applicable.
Plastics and Acrylics
We can easily waterjet most kinds of plastics, most popularly acrylic, in sheet sizes up to 8.25m x 4m and 230mm thick.
Foam and Rubber
Despite it’s ability to process hard materials, our waterjet can handle soft materials such as foam and rubber with ease.
Wear Plate
Our waterjet profling machine can handle wear plate (400, 500 grades etc) up 230mm thickness and in sheets up to 8.25m x 4m.
Boiler Plate
We can easily waterjet cut steel boiler plate (or pressure vessel plates) up to 230mm thick.
High Yield Steel Plate
We can waterjet profile 690 high yield structural steel sheet up to 8.25m x 2m and 230mm thick.
Flame Cutting
Our multi-head flame profiling machines are the ideal choice for performing high-production runs. While applications are limited to carbon and low alloy steels, this profiling method remains the most economical and simple method of cutting materials.
Flame Profile Cutting Tolerances
A cost-effective and efficient method of metal profiling, our flame profile cutting services are all informed by the necessary guidelines for both thickness and flatness tolerances. Our flame cutting facilities are capable of cutting materials of up to 42 metres x 5 metres, and tolerances of +/-2.0mm to +/-6.0mm, depending on thickness and length.
For more guidance, please refer to our dedicated Flame Profile Cutting Tolerances page.
Carbon Steels
We can flame cut a range of mild/carbon steel grades, including S275, S355 and 080A40 up to 270mm.
Floor Plate (E.g. Durbar)
Our 22m x 5mm cutting area is able to handle large sections of this “tear drop” studded, non-slip patterned steel.
Wear Plate (E.g. 400, 500 grades)
We’re able to flame cut sheet up to a thickness of 80mm.
High Yield Steel Plate
We can profile 690 high yield structural steel sheet up to 180mm thickness on sheets as large as 22m x 5m.
Boiler Plate
Our large cutting bed allows us to flame cut boiler plate up to 22m x 5m in thicknesses up 270mm.
Plasma Cutting
The benefit of high definition plasma cutting over flame is it’s ability to cut stainless steel. With a cutting bed area of 12m x 5m plasma cutting is an idea choice for large sheets requiring a higher accuracy edge squareness than flame.
Plasma Profile Cutting Tolerances
Often referred to as a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to flame cutting, Charles Day Steel’s plasma cutting services offer a profiling tolerance top face of +/- 1.0mm, and is able to cut materials up to 12 metres by metres; all in accordance with relevant quality management guidelines and standards.
Carbon Steels
Our HD plasma machine can cut a full range of carbon and mild steels up to 30mm thick.
Stainless Steel
With a 12m x 5m cutting bed, our High-def plasma cutter can handle large sheets of stainless steel.
Aluminium
We’re able to flame cut sheet up to a thickness of 80mm.
Floor Plate (E.g. Durbar)
We’re able to profile “tear drop” style floor plate up to 12.5mm thick on our 12m x 5m thick cutting bed.
Wear Plate
We can cut steel wear plate in thicknesses up to 40mm, however above 35mm we can only preform edge start cuts (i.e. no piercing cuts).
High Yield Steel Plate
We’re able to plasma cut high-yield steel up to 40mm thick, however for cuts above 35mm thickness only edge start cuts can be performed.
Boiler Plate
Steel boiler plate up to 40mm can be plasma cut. Above 35mm thickness, only edge start cuts can be preformed.
Press Brake Tolerances
The tables below show the tolerances and permissable deviations for Press Braking
Table 1 – Permissible deviations for linear dimensions except for broken edges
(external radii and chamfer heights, see table 2)
0.5 - 3mm |
3 - 6mm |
6 - 30mm |
30 - 120mm |
120 - 400mm |
400 - 1000mm |
1000 - 2000mm |
2000 - 4000mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
-
|
±0.5
|
±1
|
±1.5
|
±2.5
|
±4
|
±6
|
±8
|
For nominal sizes below 0.5 mm, the deviations shall be indicated adjacent to the relevant nominal size(s)
Table 2 – Permissible deviations for broken edges (external radii and chamfer heights)
0.5 - 3mm |
3 - 6mm |
over 6mm |
|---|---|---|
|
±0.4
|
±1
|
±2
|
For nominal sizes below 0.5 mm, the deviations shall be indicated adjacent to the relevant nominal size(s)
Table 3 – Permissible deviations of angular dimensions per bend
Permissible deviations for ranges of lengths, in millimetres, of the shorter side of the angle concerned
up to 10mm |
10 - 50mm |
50 - 120mm |
120 - 400mm |
over 400mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
± 3°
|
± 2°
|
± 1°
|
± 0°30'
|
± 0°20'
|
Quality Assurance
Quality. Accuracy. Compliance.
From drawing to delivery, Charles Day take pride in delivering quality profile cutting services to boost downstream efficiency and profitability.
Factory production controls comply with construction product regulation BS EN 1090 EXC4 for intricate cutting of construction and nuclear regulation profiles.
Certified to BS EN ISO 9001:2015 for all profiling requirements.
