How long the cut really takes
Arc-on time is only part of a parts cycle. Every pierce costs a second or two, and loading, rapids and lead-ins add up. This calculator adds the cutting, piercing and handling together so you get a realistic cycle time — the number you actually quote and schedule against, not just length divided by speed.
The formula
Cutting time = cut length / cutting speed. Pierce time = number of pierces x time per pierce. Total cycle = cutting time + pierce time + handling time. Parts per hour falls straight out of the cycle: 3600 / cycle seconds.
Typical cutting speeds
| Process / material | Speed (in/min) |
|---|---|
| Plasma, 1/4 in steel | 80 to 150 |
| Laser, 16 ga steel | 200 to 400 |
| Waterjet, 1/2 in steel | 3 to 10 |
| Oxy-fuel, 1 in steel | 12 to 18 |
Related cost tools
Once you have the time, price the job: see the plasma cutting calculator, laser cutting calculator, and waterjet cost calculator, which turn cut time into a dollar figure.
Worked example
A 60 in path at 120 IPM is 0.5 min of cutting. Four pierces at 1.5 sec add 6 sec, and 15 sec of handling brings the cycle to about 51 sec — roughly 70 parts an hour.
FAQ
Should I use rated speed or actual speed?
Use the speed you actually run, which is often 70 to 90 percent of the books rated speed once you account for corners and lead-ins. Quoting at rated speed underestimates the cycle.
Does this include cut quality slowdowns?
Tight corners, small holes and fine detail run slower than straight cuts. For detailed parts, drop the cutting speed you enter to reflect the average over the whole path.