Laser Cutting · Capacity · MJM Manufacturing Miami, FL
Laser Cutting Thickness & Gauge Capacity
What thickness can MJM laser cut? Material capacity by gauge and inch — documented for engineers and buyers specifying sheet metal parts, with a full gauge-to-decimal reference chart.
Section 01
Maximum Laser Cutting Thickness by Material
MJM Manufacturing’s five Amada laser systems cut a wide range of material thicknesses — from thin 16, 14, and 11 gauge sheet up to 1″ thick mild steel plate. Our laser department is anchored by the Amada Ventis 3015AJ (4kW) with Locus Beam Control (performing equivalent to a traditional 6kW fiber laser), backed by three Amada Ensis 3015AJ (3kW) fiber lasers with variable beam technology, plus an Amada LC2415 A III CO2 laser. All systems run on a 5′ × 10′ bed and hold ±0.005″ tolerance under our AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified quality system.
| Material | Max Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Steel / Hot Rolled Steel | Up to 1.000″ (25 mm) | Includes thick plate cutting |
| Stainless Steel (304, 316) | Up to 0.625″ (5/8″) | Nitrogen assist for oxide-free edges |
| Aluminum (5052, 6061, 3003) | Up to 0.625″ (5/8″) | Nitrogen assist for clean edges |
| Copper | Up to 0.375″ (3/8″) | Fiber laser handles reflective copper |
| Brass | Up to 0.375″ (3/8″) | Nitrogen assist gas |
| Galvanized Steel | Per gauge availability | Common gauges through heavy sheet |
| Titanium | Contact engineering | Cut with appropriate assist gas |
| Beryllium Copper | Contact engineering | Specialty alloy fabrication |
Section 02
Sheet Metal Gauge to Decimal Thickness Chart
Engineers and buyers often specify sheet by gauge. This chart converts common gauges to decimal inches for the materials MJM laser cuts. Gauge thickness differs between steel and aluminum — both are shown.
| Gauge | Steel (in) | Aluminum (in) | MJM Laser Cuts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 ga | 0.0299″ | 0.0253″ | Yes |
| 18 ga | 0.0478″ | 0.0403″ | Yes |
| 16 ga | 0.0598″ | 0.0508″ | Yes |
| 14 ga | 0.0747″ | 0.0641″ | Yes |
| 12 ga | 0.1046″ | 0.0808″ | Yes |
| 11 ga | 0.1196″ | 0.0907″ | Yes |
| 10 ga | 0.1345″ | 0.1019″ | Yes |
| 7 ga | 0.1793″ | 0.1443″ | Yes |
| 1/4″ Plate | 0.250″ | 0.250″ | Yes — steel, stainless, aluminum |
| 3/8″ Plate | 0.375″ | 0.375″ | Yes — all common materials |
| 1/2″ Plate | 0.500″ | 0.500″ | Yes — steel & stainless |
| 5/8″ Plate | 0.625″ | 0.625″ | Max for stainless & aluminum |
| 3/4″ – 1″ Plate | 0.750″ – 1.000″ | — | Mild / hot rolled steel only |
Section 03
Cutting Capacity by Thickness Range
Thin Gauge Laser Cutting (22 ga – 11 ga)
For thin sheet — 22, 18, 16, 14, and 11 gauge — MJM’s Amada Ensis fiber lasers with variable beam technology produce clean, burr-free edges with minimal heat-affected zone. Thin gauge cutting is the most common request for enclosures, panels, brackets, and electronics chassis. Our nitrogen assist gas (supplied by three CSD 75T Sigma nitrogen generators) delivers oxide-free, dross-free edges on thin stainless steel and aluminum — important for parts that will be welded, anodized, or left as visible finished surfaces.
Medium Plate Laser Cutting (1/4″ – 1/2″)
For 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ plate, the Amada Ventis 4kW (performing like a 6kW with Locus Beam Control) delivers fast, accurate cuts on carbon steel, stainless, and aluminum. This range covers structural brackets, base plates, mounting hardware, and heavy-duty enclosure components.
Thick Plate Laser Cutting (5/8″ – 1″)
MJM cuts mild and hot rolled steel up to a full 1″ (25 mm) thick, and stainless steel and aluminum up to 5/8″ (0.625″) — a heavier capacity than many job shops offer. Thick plate laser cutting suits structural components, heavy brackets, base plates, machine bases, and weldment components. For thick stainless and aluminum we use nitrogen assist for clean edges; thick mild steel is cut with the optimal assist gas for the thickness. If your part exceeds these thicknesses, contact engineering — we can advise on alternatives including waterjet partners or plasma sourcing.
Section 04
Press Brake Forming Capacity by Thickness
Engineers specifying cut thickness usually need to form it too. MJM’s nine Amada press brakes — anchored by the HRB 2204 (240-ton, 14-foot), with six RG 80 (80-ton CNC) and two EG 4010 (servo-electric) machines — form a wide range of thicknesses and lengths. All use offline CNC programming with 3D bend simulation and springback compensation.
| Capability | Spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Max Bending Length | 14 feet | Amada HRB 2204 — long panels & enclosures |
| Max Tonnage | 240 tons | Heavy plate forming capacity |
| Bend Angle Tolerance | ±0.5° | Standard air bend; tighter via coining |
| Min Inside Bend Radius | 1× material thickness | Prevents cracking on outside radius |
| Springback | Compensated in programming | CNC offline programming with 3D simulation |
Note: bending max material thickness varies with part length and material. Contact our engineering team to confirm formability for heavy-gauge or full-length parts.
Section 05
Laser Cutting Equipment
Amada Ventis 3015AJ (4kW)
Locus Beam Control; performs equivalent to a traditional 6kW fiber laser. 5′ × 10′ bed.
Amada Ensis 3015AJ (3kW) ×3
Variable beam technology optimized for thin-to-thick cutting; production capacity across three systems. 5′ × 10′ beds.
Amada LC2415 A III
CO2 laser for specific material and application requirements. 5′ × 10′ bed.
3× CSD 75T Sigma Nitrogen Generators
Clean nitrogen assist gas for oxide-free, dross-free edges on stainless and aluminum.
See the full equipment list and our main laser cutting services page.
FAQ
Laser Cutting Thickness — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the thickest steel MJM can laser cut?
MJM Manufacturing laser cuts mild and hot rolled steel up to 1″ (25 mm) thick. Stainless steel and aluminum are cut up to 5/8″ (0.625″), and copper and brass up to 3/8″ (0.375″).
Can MJM laser cut 16 gauge steel?
Yes. 16 gauge steel (0.0598″) is a common thin-gauge thickness MJM cuts daily on our Amada fiber lasers with clean, burr-free edges.
Can MJM laser cut 1/2 inch steel?
Yes. MJM cuts 1/2″ (0.500″) steel and stainless steel. Mild steel can be cut up to a full 1″ thick.
Can MJM cut thick aluminum?
Yes. MJM laser cuts aluminum up to 5/8″ (0.625″) thick using nitrogen assist gas for clean, oxide-free edges.
What gauge sheet metal does MJM laser cut?
MJM cuts the full range of common sheet gauges — from thin 22 and 18 gauge through 16, 14, 12, 11, 10, and 7 gauge, and up into plate thicknesses of 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″, and (in mild steel) up to 1″.
What if my part is thicker than 1 inch?
Contact our engineering team at sales@mjmmfg.com. For material thicker than our laser capacity, we can advise on alternative processes or trusted sourcing partners.
How do I get a quote by thickness?
Email your drawings to sales@mjmmfg.com with material, thickness or gauge, and quantity, or call (305) 620-2020. Our engineering team responds within 24 to 48 hours.
Get a Quote by Thickness
Send your drawings with material, thickness or gauge, and quantity. Our engineering team responds within 24–48 hours.