Frequently Asked Questions

Custom processing solutions for metal and non-metal parts across electronics, marine, automation, medical and infrastructure projects. Find your industry and see how we can help.

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57

General & Process

8

Metal Cutting

7

Glass Cutting

6

PI Film Cutting

6

CNC Bending

6

Laser Engraving

6

Welding & Assembly

6

Polishing & Finishing

6

Laser Cleaning

6

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General & Process

Getting started, lead times, quoting and ordering

We are a Singapore-based precision processing facility offering nine core services: Metal Cutting, Glass Cutting, PI Film Cutting, CNC Bending & Folding, Laser Engraving, Non-Metal Cutting, Laser Welding & Structural Assembly, Polishing & Grinding, and Laser Cleaning. All services are performed in-house, allowing us to take a part from flat stock through cutting, bending, welding, finishing, and marking without changing suppliers.
 
 
We accept DXF, DWG (preferred for 2D cutting), STEP, IGES (for 3D reference and bending), AI, EPS, SVG (for engraving artwork), PDF (vector-based), and high-resolution PNG/TIFF at 300 dpi minimum for raster engraving. For welding and assembly jobs, a 3D STEP model of the finished assembly is ideal. If you only have a paper drawing or image, our engineering team can redraw it — note this may add a small charge and lead time for complex parts.
 
 

Lead times vary by service and quantity:

  • Prototypes (1–5 pcs): Often same-day or next-day for standard jobs placed before noon.
  • Small batches (6–50 pcs): 2–5 working days from drawing approval.
  • Production runs (50–500 pcs): 5–10 working days depending on complexity.
  • Large runs (500+ pcs): Quoted per job with a confirmed delivery date.

Lead times are always confirmed on the quote. If material needs to be sourced, add 3–5 working days.

No minimum order quantity for any of our services. We regularly process single prototype pieces alongside production batches. Pricing scales with quantity — the per-unit cost decreases significantly for orders over 50 pieces due to setup amortisation and nesting efficiency. We will always show you the unit price breakdown at each quantity tier.
 
 
Both options are available. We stock common grades of stainless steel (304, 316), aluminium (6061, 5052), mild steel, and standard acrylic thicknesses. For specialty materials — duplex stainless, titanium, carbon fibre, optical glass, PI film substrates — we can source to your spec or you can supply your own. If supplying your own material, ship it to our facility with your order reference number and we will handle the rest.
 
 
We are located at Ubi Tech Park, 10 Ubi Crescent, #03-22, Singapore. We offer local delivery across Singapore and self-collection is welcome. For urgent or fragile orders, we offer white-glove delivery. International shipping to Malaysia and the wider region is available on request.
 
 
Yes — this is one of our primary advantages. A typical combined order might be: laser cut flat blanks → CNC bend to shape → TIG weld assembly → deburr and polish → laser engrave serial numbers. All steps are performed in-house, quoted as one job, and delivered together. No inter-supplier handoffs, no re-quoting, and no risk of dimensional variation between operations.
 
 
Yes, at no additional charge. Before we quote or begin production on any new job, our engineers review your drawing for tolerance conflicts, minimum feature sizes, bend radius issues, and material suitability. We will flag problems and suggest solutions before the first part is made — catching issues early saves you time, cost, and material waste.
 
 

Metal Cutting

Fibre laser cutting for steel, aluminium, brass, copper and more

Our 6 kW fibre laser cuts all common engineering metals including stainless steel (304, 316, 316L, 430), mild and carbon steel (S275, S355, A36), aluminium alloys (6061, 5052, 7075), brass (C260, C360), copper (C101, C110), galvanised steel, tool steel, and spring steel. The fibre laser handles copper and brass — materials that CO₂ lasers cannot cut reliably due to their high reflectivity.
 
 
Standard tolerance is ±0.1 mm on cut dimensions, with positional repeat accuracy of ±0.03 mm. For tight-tolerance work we can hold ±0.05 mm on dimensions with additional programming care — specify this on your drawing. Tolerances are tighter on thinner material and slightly looser on plate over 12 mm thick.
 
 
Maximum cutting thickness varies by material: mild steel up to 25 mm, stainless steel up to 20 mm, aluminium up to 20 mm, copper up to 6 mm, and brass up to 10 mm. Thick plate (over 12 mm) uses oxygen assist gas for cutting efficiency. For very thick structural plate, we recommend discussing requirements directly so we can confirm cut quality expectations.
 
 
Minimum hole diameter is generally equal to the material thickness — so 3 mm material has a minimum hole diameter of approximately 3 mm. Smaller holes are possible but may have reduced roundness and require slower cutting speeds. For slots, minimum width is approximately 0.8 mm on thin sheet. We check all minimum feature sizes during DFM review.
 
 
Typical edge roughness is Ra 3.2 μm on thin stainless and aluminium with nitrogen assist — this is a clean, low-HAZ edge requiring no secondary finishing for most applications. On thicker plate or with oxygen assist, edge roughness is Ra 6.3–12.5 μm with slight striations. For applications requiring a finer edge, we can follow cutting with deburring or grinding to achieve Ra 1.6 or better.
 
 
Yes. Copper and brass are highly reflective and cannot be reliably cut with CO₂ lasers. Our 6 kW fibre laser at 1064 nm is absorbed efficiently by these metals, enabling clean cuts without back-reflection damage. Copper up to 6 mm and brass up to 10 mm are within our standard capability. We use nitrogen assist to prevent oxidation and maintain clean edges.
 
 
Yes — this is one of our most common order types. We laser cut the flat blank and bend it on the same day in the same facility. Combining both services eliminates inter-supplier dimensional variation (the most common source of fitment problems), reduces lead time, and simplifies your purchase order. Provide a 3D STEP model of the finished bent part and we handle flat pattern development, cutting, and bending.
 
 

Glass Cutting

CO₂ laser cutting for float, borosilicate, display and optical glass

No. Tempered glass cannot be cut after toughening — the internal stress causes the entire sheet to shatter. Glass must be cut to final shape before tempering. We cut annealed float glass to your dimensions and you can then send it for tempering. If you have already-tempered glass that needs to be cut, the only options are mechanical grinding (for edges only) or starting over with a new annealed blank.
 
 
We regularly cut glass down to 0.3 mm (300 μm) — typical for TFT display substrates and ultra-thin cover glass. At this thickness we use vacuum-chuck fixturing and scribe-and-break mode to prevent flexural breakage during handling. For glass below 0.5 mm, contact us to discuss handling and packaging requirements before ordering.
 
 
Yes — laser cutting handles any 2D profile from your DXF: circles, arcs, polygons, internal cutouts, and fully custom contours. Internal holes are possible from approximately 10 mm diameter and larger. This is a major advantage over diamond wheel cutting, which is limited to straight cuts and cannot produce internal holes. Minimum inside corner radius depends on glass thickness.
 
 
We cut float glass (clear and tinted), borosilicate (Pyrex/Schott Duran), display/TFT glass (Corning Eagle XG, Schott AF32), aluminosilicate cover glass, quartz/fused silica, frosted and patterned glass, optical glass (N-BK7 and similar), and mirror glass. Each type has different thermal properties — we maintain separate cutting parameters per glass type to prevent stress fractures and edge chipping.
 
 
Small pieces are wrapped individually in foam and packed upright in double-wall cartons. Larger panels are shipped in wooden crates with corner protection and foam interleaving between sheets. For ultra-thin or optical glass, we use anti-static foam and ESD-safe packaging on request. White-glove local delivery is available for high-value or fragile shipments.
 
 
CO₂ laser at 10.6 μm is absorbed efficiently by glass, giving precise thermal control and chip-free edges. Diamond wheel cutting causes subsurface micro-cracks and cannot produce internal cutouts. Waterjet is accurate but leaves a frosted edge and risks water ingress on coated glass. Mechanical saw creates heavy chipping. Laser cutting combines the best edge quality, the widest shape capability, and no mechanical contact with the glass surface.
 
 

PI Film Cutting

UV and CO₂ laser cutting for flexible PCB, Kapton and polyimide

CO₂ (10.6 μm) cuts pure PI film and simple outlines where copper traces are not near the cut line. UV laser (355 nm) is required for FPC with copper layers — its shorter wavelength ablates the polymer without thermally loading copper, preventing trace discolouration, delamination, and adhesive bleed. For multi-layer flex with trace-to-edge clearances under 0.3 mm, UV is the correct choice. We have both in-house.
 
Yes. We regularly cut multi-layer flex stacks in a single pass. Before production we run test cuts on your stackup to confirm parameters produce clean inter-layer separation with no adhesive bleed. Please provide your full stackup specification (layer order, thicknesses, adhesive type) when quoting. Practical limit is approximately 0.5 mm total stack thickness for single-pass cutting.
Our UV laser achieves slots as narrow as 0.1 mm and internal holes from approximately 0.2 mm diameter on single-layer PI film. Practical minimums are larger for multi-layer stacks due to kerf width and material relief. Always include your tightest feature dimensions in the drawing and we confirm feasibility during DFM review.
DXF is strongly preferred — supply the board outline layer only, not copper or silkscreen layers. Gerber RS-274X is also accepted for FPC board outlines. Ensure all lines are closed polylines with no gaps or overlapping segments — open paths cause incomplete cuts. Do not include drill layers; via outlines in the board outline DXF are fine.
 
 
Yes. We provide serialised job records, first-article inspection reports with dimensional measurements, and lot traceability documentation. For applications requiring PPAP, IPC, or ISO 13485 quality records, specify this when enquiring and we will confirm the documentation scope and any additional requirements.
 
Roll-to-sheet cutting is available for standard PI and PET film rolls up to 300 mm wide. We unwind, flatten, and cut to your specified sheet dimensions before laser processing. For high-volume continuous roll-fed cutting, contact us to discuss production volume and setup requirements.

CNC Bending & Folding

Press brake bending for sheet metal enclosures, channels and frames

Minimum flange length is approximately 3× material thickness for mild steel, and 4× material thickness for stainless steel and aluminium. For 2 mm stainless steel, minimum flange is approximately 8 mm. We check all flanges during DFM review and flag any that are too short before production begins.
 
Standard inside radius is 1× material thickness for mild steel and stainless steel. For aluminium we recommend a minimum of 1.5× material thickness to prevent cracking on the outer surface. Tighter radii are possible with dedicated tooling — note this requirement on your drawing. If no radius is specified, we apply standard values and confirm them on the quote.
 
Holes within approximately 2× material thickness of the bend line will distort during bending — this is a sheet metal physics constraint. We flag these during DFM review and suggest either moving the holes, adding relief cuts, or punching the holes after bending for tight-tolerance patterns near bends.
Our press brake has a 3,200 mm bed — single-hit bends up to 3.2 m long in a single pass. This is ideal for long architectural profiles, duct sections, and enclosure sides that would otherwise require seam welding. Multi-bend parts with overall lengths over 2.5 m are assessed per geometry for tool clearance.
 
All metals springback elastically after bending — the part springs open slightly when the tooling is removed. Stainless steel springbacks more than mild steel; 6061-T6 differs from 5052-H32. Our CNC programs apply material-specific overbend compensation built from production history, so the final angle after springback matches your drawing. You get the correct angle on the first part.
 
A 3D STEP file of the finished bent part plus a 2D DXF flat pattern with bend lines and angles annotated is ideal. If you only have a 3D model, our engineers can unfold it and generate the flat pattern. SolidWorks, CATIA, and Inventor native files are also accepted. For simple L-bracket bends, a dimensioned 2D drawing with material, thickness, and bend angle is sufficient.

 

Laser Engraving

Permanent marking for metals, plastics, glass and organic materials

Laser engraving physically removes material — the laser ablates the surface to create a recessed mark. Laser annealing heats the surface without removing material, creating a colour change (typically black on stainless steel) through oxide formation. Annealing produces a smooth, flush mark with no depth — preferred for medical instruments and surfaces where a recess would trap contaminants. We offer both; specify your preference or we’ll recommend based on application.
 
 
Yes. On anodised aluminium, the laser removes the anodised layer to reveal the bright aluminium beneath — producing a silver mark on a coloured background. On powder-coated or painted steel, the laser removes the coating to expose base metal, which can be filled with paint for two-colour contrast. We engrave on already-finished parts regularly — ensure parts are clean and free of oils before sending.
Yes. Send us a CSV or Excel file with the variable data (serial numbers, names, dates, codes) and we load it into our marking software. Each part receives its unique content automatically — no manual reprogram between pieces. We have handled batches from 10 personalised gifts to 50,000+ serialised industrial components. For QR and Data Matrix codes, we validate readability before production.
Yes. Laser-engraved marks are into the material — not on it. They survive autoclaving, chemical sterilisation, electroplating, powder coating, anodising, saltwater exposure, and UV radiation. Marks cannot be wiped, scratched, or chemically removed. This is why laser engraving is the mandated method for UDI marking on medical devices and for traceability on aerospace components that undergo post-processing.
Our fibre laser engraves all metals (stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper, tool steel). Our CO₂ laser engraves acrylic, glass, wood, leather, ceramics, and most engineering plastics. We select the correct laser automatically. Note: We do not engrave PVC — laser cutting or engraving PVC releases toxic chlorine gas and is refused regardless of quantity.
Vector formats preferred: AI, EPS, DXF, SVG. For raster artwork (photographs, gradients), high-resolution PNG or TIFF at minimum 300 dpi. Convert all fonts to outlines before sending. For QR codes and barcodes, provide the data string and we generate the code to the correct standard (QR, Data Matrix, Code 128 etc.).

Welding & Assembly

Laser welding, TIG, MIG and structural assembly

Choose laser welding for minimal distortion on thin sheet (under 3 mm), narrow cosmetic beads, high-speed production runs, and joints where TIG torch access is physically restricted. Choose TIG for thicker material needing filler rod, structural joints requiring wider beads, and where broader heat distribution is acceptable. MIG for structural volume production on mild steel. We recommend the right process after reviewing your drawings.
Yes. We offer visual weld inspection per ISO 5817, dimensional inspection reports, and weld maps for structural assemblies. For marine and offshore customers we provide material traceability certificates and mill certificates. Dye penetrant (DP) testing and pressure/leak testing are available on request. Specify documentation requirements when quoting so we include them in scope.

Yes. Aluminium TIG uses AC current with pure argon to break the oxide layer. We weld 5052, 6061, and 1100 series regularly. 6061-T6 loses strength in the heat-affected zone — for structural applications we advise on design changes to minimise HAZ impact. 7075 and 2024 are prone to hot cracking with TIG; we use laser welding with controlled parameters for these alloys.

We offer weld spatter removal, bead grinding and blending, stainless steel passivation (citric or nitric acid per ASTM A967), and surface finishing to specified Ra values including Ra ≤ 0.8 μm for food-grade and pharmaceutical applications. These are included in the overall quote — you receive a finished assembly, not a raw welded part.

Some combinations are weldable with the right filler — 304 SS to mild steel using ER309 filler, for example. Aluminium to steel is generally not weldable by fusion due to intermetallic formation. Send us the material combination and joint geometry and we advise on feasibility and recommended approach before committing to production.

Yes. For repeat assemblies we build custom weld jigs that locate every component in position before welding — ensuring every unit in a batch is dimensionally identical. Jig cost is a one-time charge included in the initial production order quote. For low-volume or first-off jobs we use adjustable fixtures rather than dedicated jigs.

Polishing & Grinding

Deburring, brushed finish, mirror polish and surface grinding

Specify the Ra value on your drawing — e.g. “Ra ≤ 0.8 μm all over” or “Ra 1.6 μm on machined surfaces”. Alternatively, specify the application standard: “food-grade per EHEDG”, “architectural #4 brushed”, or “cleanroom Class 10,000”. If you have a reference sample, send it with your parts and we’ll match it. Common grades: Ra 3.2 (deburr), Ra 1.6 (#3 ground), Ra 0.8 (brushed #4), Ra ≤ 0.8 (food-grade), Ra 0.1–0.4 (mirror #8).

Tools used on carbon steel embed iron particles into the abrasive. When applied to stainless steel, these particles deposit onto the surface and corrode — causing rust spots within days. This is called ferritic contamination and invalidates food-grade and marine certification. We maintain entirely separate abrasive inventories for ferrous and non-ferrous metals and never mix them.

Polishing is a mechanical process — removes material to produce a specific surface texture (Ra value). Passivation is a chemical process (citric or nitric acid per ASTM A967) that removes free iron and restores the chromium-oxide passive layer on stainless steel. Passivation does not change texture. For food-grade and marine stainless, both polishing to Ra ≤ 0.8 and passivation are typically required — they are complementary.

Yes — polishing welded assemblies is one of our most common jobs. We grind weld beads flush, blend into parent material, and refinish to the specified Ra with matched grain direction. Weld zones have different hardness and grain structure, and tool access is sometimes restricted by adjacent geometry — we assess all this during quoting.

Yes. For architectural and enclosure projects requiring consistent finish across batches, we use the same abrasive grade and direction throughout. Panels are processed in sequence to ensure the grain pattern matches. For large runs, we retain a reference panel approved by the customer against which we check consistency throughout production.

Electropolishing is not performed in our facility, but we coordinate with qualified electropolishing subcontractors in Singapore for jobs requiring Ra ≤ 0.4 μm on complex geometries, or FDA 21 CFR / USP Class VI surface requirements. We manage the coordination and include it in the quote — one supplier, one delivery.

Laser Cleaning

Rust, oxide, paint and contamination removal without abrasives

Pulsed laser cleaning exploits the difference in ablation thresholds between contaminant and substrate. The contaminant (rust, oxide, paint) absorbs the laser energy and vaporises at a lower energy density than the base metal. By tuning pulse energy below the substrate’s threshold but above the contaminant’s, only the contaminant is removed. The base metal is untouched — Ra value and surface texture remain unchanged.
 
 

Yes. Multiple passes handle heavy flaking rust, achieving bare metal without dimensional loss. For severely pitted surfaces where corrosion has entered the base metal, laser cleaning removes loose rust and active corrosion from pits but cannot restore metal that has been consumed. We assess corrosion depth during quoting and advise on achievable results.

Laser cleaning removes chromium-depleted heat tint oxide, exposing the underlying chromium-rich layer which re-passivates naturally in air within hours. For applications requiring documented passivation, we recommend following laser cleaning with citric or nitric acid passivation per ASTM A967 — this accelerates and certifies the passive layer. We include passivation in the same job scope.

Yes — selective zone cleaning is a primary advantage of laser over blasting and chemical methods. We program the beam path from your DXF or from a marked area on the part. The beam stays precisely within the defined zone. No masking, no overspray, no risk of damage to surrounding surfaces. Common uses: weld seam only, corrosion patches, pre-bond zones, and contact pad areas.

Laser cleaning on bare aluminium removes oxide and adhesive contamination effectively. On anodised aluminium, the laser will remove the anodised layer — so we only clean specific uncoated zones (edges, weld prep areas, bonding spots) while leaving the anodised surface intact. Tell us which zones to clean and we program the beam path accordingly.

Laser cleaning does not embed abrasive particles in the surface (critical for stainless steel where iron contamination causes rust), does not alter surface texture or Ra value, allows selective zone cleaning without masking, produces no contaminated grit requiring disposal, and can access complex geometry that blasting cannot. Abrasive blasting remains faster for very large surface areas of heavily rusted mild steel where texture preservation is not a requirement.

Still Have Questions?

Our engineering team reviews every enquiry and responds within one business day. Send us your drawing and we’ll give you a direct, technical answer — not a generic response.

 
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