2D Laser Cutting Services
GSM runs 13 TRUMPF 2D fiber lasers across our South Bend, Indiana and Tomah, Wisconsin plants. We cut flat sheet and plate up to 6.5 x 13 ft and up to 1.5″ thick, then move parts straight into deburring, bending, welding, and assembly under the same roof. From prototypes to high-volume OEM programs, 2D laser cutting at GSM keeps your parts accurate and on schedule.
Comprehensive Metal Manufacturing Solutions
We offer an extensive range of metal manufacturing capabilities, eliminating the need for multiple manufacturers.
Robust Supply Chain Support
We excel in providing enhanced supply chain stability and dedicated support for minimal disruptions.
Manage Large-Scale Projects
We offer a state-of-the-art facility equipped to tackle projects requiring large metal components.
Collaborative Engineering
Our expertise helps improve manufacturability and reduce costs.
Our 2D Laser Cutting Equipment
Every 2D laser on our floor is a TRUMPF laser with a minimum 5 x 10 ft (1500 x 3000 mm) bed. Running 13 flatbed lasers across two plants gives your program built-in redundancy: one machine down never stops your parts. See the full equipment list.
| Machine | Qty | Sheet size | Max thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRUMPF 5040 TruLaser 24Kw | 1 | 6.5 x 13 ft | 1.57″ (40 mm) |
| TRUMPF 5040 TruLaser 5Kw | 2 | 6.5 x 13 ft | 1″ (25 mm) |
| TRUMPF 1030 TruLaser 12Kw | 1 | 5 x 10 ft | 1″ (25 mm) |
| TRUMPF 5030 TruLaser 8Kw | 3 | 5 x 10 ft | 1″ (25 mm) |
| TRUMPF 3030 TruLaser 6Kw | 2 | 5 x 10 ft | 1″ (25 mm) |
| TRUMPF 5030 TruLaser 5Kw | 2 | 5 x 10 ft | 1″ (25 mm) |
| TRUMPF 5030 TruLaser 10Kw | 1 | 5 x 10 ft | 1″ (25 mm) |
| TRUMPF 5000 TruMatic Punch / Laser (6 Kw) Combo | 1 | 5 x 10 ft | 0.31″ (8 mm) |
Materials: carbon steel and stainless steel up to 1.5″, aluminum up to 1″, brass, copper and other reflective alloys quoted per job.
What Is 2D Laser Cutting?
2D laser cutting cuts flat sheet or plate along an X-Y path. A CNC-controlled fiber laser follows your CAD profile while assist gas clears the kerf, leaving clean edges and a small heat-affected zone. It is the fastest, most economical way to make flat blanks, brackets, panels, and gussets, including parts that will be bent or welded later.
Every job starts with your CAD file. We program offline, nest parts for material yield, simulate toolpaths, and set power, feed rate, focus, and assist gas for the print. Nitrogen gives oxide-free edges on stainless and aluminum; oxygen speeds cutting on thick carbon steel.
Compared with plasma or mechanical cutting, a laser produces fine features, tight radii, and small holes with minimal burr in a single pass, with no hard tooling. Narrow kerfs and quick changeovers make better use of material and keep setup costs down, so parts go to the next operation without extra cleanup.
2D vs. 3D Laser Cutting
2D laser cutting works on flat stock: the head moves in X and Y over a sheet. It is the lowest-cost option for blanks, brackets, panels, and gussets. 3D laser cutting adds rotary and tilting axes, so it can cut tube, structural shapes, and parts that are already formed.
GSM runs both: 13 flatbed 2D lasers, plus 2 TRUMPF tube lasers and a 5-axis 3D laser cell. Not sure which your part needs? Send the print and our engineers will tell you.
From Flat Blank to Finished Part
Most 2D laser-cut parts don’t stop at the laser. At GSM they go straight to:
- Automatic deburring and edge rounding (Lissmac and Timesavers, up to 1″)
- Part leveling for flatness on heavy plate
- Bending on 24 TRUMPF and robotic press brakes, with ACB (automatic angle control) laser measurement holding bend angles within ½°
- Welding and kitting and assembly
- CMM and portable-arm inspection
One quote, one PO, no freight between suppliers. We stage material and programs ahead of your dates and schedule changeovers around them, so demand spikes don’t stall the work downstream.
Why OEMs Choose GSM for 2D Laser Cutting
- Capacity with redundancy: 13 flatbed lasers across two plants, so one machine down never stops your program.
- Heavy plate: 24 kW fiber power cuts steel plate to 1.5″ with weld-ready edges.
- Efficient nesting: we nest for material yield and keep programs staged for repeat orders.
- Prototype to production: the same cells and team run your first article and your volume orders.
- Precision built in: offline programming, first-article checks, and in-process cut monitoring hold tolerances across long runs.
Plant Tour
See our South Bend facility in action and discover how GSM combines so many capabilities under one roof.
Introducing the TRUMPF TruMatic 5000 Punch Laser Combination
The TruMatic 5000 combines the speed and efficiency of punching with the precision and flexibility of laser cutting in a single, fully automated machine — delivering faster turnaround times, greater design flexibility, and an even higher level of quality on every part we produce.
Learn More →Request a 2D Laser Cutting Quote
Send your print, material, and volumes, and we’ll return a fast, accurate quote. Because everything happens under one roof, one quote can cover cutting, forming, welding, and assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about 2D laser cutting at GSM.
What sheet size can your 2D lasers cut?
Our 2D lasers take sheets up to 2000 x 4000 mm (78″ x 157″ or 6.5 x 13 ft).
How thick can you laser cut?
We cut carbon and stainless steel up to 1.5 inches and aluminum up to 1 inch thick on our 24 kW TRUMPF fiber laser, and up to 1 inch on our other 2D lasers.
What tolerances can you achieve with 2D laser cutting?
Tolerances are +/- 0.002″ and can vary by material type, thickness, and feature size. We quote to your drawing and hold tight, repeatable results on production runs, with a small heat-affected zone that helps parts fit downstream without extra rework.
How does GSM ensure part quality and accuracy?
We program offline, simulate toolpaths, and set power, speed, focus, and assist gas for your part. First-article checks validate edges and features, and in-process monitoring keeps cuts consistent across long runs.
Gallery
Browse laser-cut parts from our floor, highlighting fine features and large panels cut from heavy plate. You’ll see how GSM holds tolerances, tackles complex geometries, and delivers to real production schedules. Each image exemplifies the same attention to detail we bring to all our OEM work.
