In today’s production environments, timing is everything. Whether you’re fabricating parts for machinery, building assemblies, or managing just-in-time delivery, lead times can make or break a job. One of the biggest factors affecting your production schedule? The cutting and processing methods you choose. In this blog we talk about how lead times matter and how processing choices impact your production schedule.
Not all cutting technologies operate at the same speed — and the wrong choice can quietly add days or even weeks to your timeline.
Understanding the differences can help you plan smarter, quote accurately, and keep projects moving.
Laser Cutting: Fast and Precise for Thin to Mid-Thickness Materials
Laser cutting is one of the fastest options available for steel and aluminum. It delivers:
- High cutting speeds
- Excellent edge quality
- Tight tolerances
- Minimal cleanup or secondary work needed
Best for: Thin to medium-thickness plate, high-detail parts, and projects that need quick turnaround with little post-processing.
Waterjet Cutting: Precision Without Heat — but Longer Lead Times
Waterjets can cut anything from aluminum plate to composite and stainless — with no heat-affected zone. But that precision comes with a tradeoff:
- Slower cutting speeds
- Longer setup and run times
- Ideal for materials that can’t handle heat
Best for: Intricate shapes, exotic materials, and parts requiring no thermal distortion.
Plasma Cutting: Power for Thick Plate at Competitive Speed
When you’re working with thicker material or structural components, plasma offers a strong balance between speed and capability.
- Handles heavier gauges well
- Faster than waterjet on thicker materials
- Good for structural shapes, brackets, and supports
Best for: Heavy plate, large parts, and jobs where speed matters more than fine tolerances
Saw Cutting: Simple, Straight, and Efficient
When all you need are dimensional cuts — flat bar, angle, tube, or plate — saw cutting is often the fastest option to get material production-ready.
- Less setup time
- Efficient for high-volume, uniform cuts
- Great for structural steel and aluminum
Best for: Stock length sizing, frames, beams, tubes, bar stock, and pre-fab components.
How Processing Choice Impacts Your Schedule
Even when you’re working with the same material, processing method can change your completion timeline. Here’s what affects lead times behind the scenes:
- Cutting speed – How quickly the method moves across the material
- Setup complexity – Fixtures, programming, and machine prep
- Tolerances and finishing needs – Some processes require extra cleanup
- Machine availability – Certain methods may have backlog priority
- Material thickness and geometry – Thicker or more complex shapes affect the time per part
A simple change — like switching from waterjet to laser or bundling operations together — can reduce turnaround significantly. See the chart below for some quick reference information.
Reducing Delays with the Right Partner
At Loftis Steel, cutting isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. With laser, plasma, waterjet, and saw cutting in-house, jobs are routed to the method that fits both your material and your deadline.
Our team regularly helps production planners, purchasers, and project managers:
- Choose the best cutting option for turnaround time
- Bundle services to reduce handling and delays
- Plan schedules based on process speed
- Avoid surprises in quoting and delivery
Bottom Line: The Cut You Choose Sets the Pace
Lead times aren’t just about when you place the order. They start with the processing method. When you align the right technology with your material and schedule, you can keep production flowing — and avoid the rush costs and downtime that come from guessing.
If you’ve got a project coming up, we can recommend the fastest route from raw material to finished part. Just tell us what you’re building — and when you need it.
