Customization capabilities have grown significantly in the last few years.
From wedding favors to detailed building models, we can now make any design we imagine all through the power of laser cutting.
In this article, we will take a look at the best laser cutting services in Cork and evaluate each provider’s pros and cons.
How much does laser cutting cost?
The cost of laser cutting does not only vary based on the company providing the service but also according to the material, laser type, labor, hours, and any necessary secondary tasks.
The material is crucial to this because materials can be offered at various thicknesses and different materials respond differently to the technology used.
Top Laser Cutting Services in Cork
We assessed the laser cutting services according to the following criteria:
1. Pat Dennehy Signs
| Range of services | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Materials’ availability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Range of project sizes | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Pat Dennehy Signs certainly lives up to its professional, efficient, and user–friendly services.
Their website has a full gallery with short descriptions of each material available and what would be the best projects for them. We appreciate that this is really helpful for customers unfamiliar with the different types of materials and their properties.
Pat Dennehy Signs has also shown tremendous adaptability to different product needs. They can categorize different product bundles for different events such as signs and brochures.
We also like this company because they openly ask customers to speak with them about materials, ideas and colors that are not within their list of presets.
This opens the doors for many design possibilities. Even given the option of an in–house design team, customers are empowered with the freedom of creativity .
Lastly, in terms of pros, unlike most other laser cutting services, this shop has their doors open on Saturday. From 9:00AM to 1:00PM, workers who are unable to visit the store during weekdays, have the chance to come in.
Their main focus for laser cutting is of course signs and so their offerings are limited to smaller, moderately sized projects. Clients with larger projects may not find the adequate amount of materials they need.
What’s more is that additional services cater more to the design aspect of the product instead of functional features. Features such as bending and forming the material, may be more supported in other laser cutting companies.
Overall however, if you find a laser cutting product that you enjoy from their portfolio, they are a great company to coordinate and discuss creative designs with.
Pros
- Offers digital printing as well
- Informative about materials available
- Consistent quality of products
- Wide array of materials to choose from
- Offer same day or 24 hour completion for urgent projects
Cons
- Limited to smaller, moderately sized projects
- Limited in additional utility focused services
Customer Reviews
Value added service
No matter the size of the project, Dennehys delivery is always the same – on time, to requirements and a very high spec. However, it’s the value added service which Dennehys deliver that sets them apart and why we continue to work closely with them. –Enda Lynch
Highly professional
M.A. Healy & Sons Ltd Safety Specialists have been dealing with Pat Dennehy Signs for a couple of years now and during that time we have found them to be a highly professional firm to deal with. –Peter Good
2. Graepel Perforators and Weavers
| Range of services | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Materials’ availability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Range of project sizes | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Graepels has to be one of the most artistic and ambitious laser cutting services out there. What makes this company unique is their attention to design and focus on a select few of materials, namely perforated metals and woven wires.
They have produced some of the most breathtaking projects combining both utility and imagination. Their project gallery paired with their accreditation in the field of architecture, makes it compelling for customers with similar visions.
Aside from art and architecture, Graepels also has an established history of working with different industries. From food processing, fish egg hatching trays, to landscaping, Graepels caters to a range of products that will satisfy numerous customers.
To round out their pros, because Graepels has focused particularly on perforated metals and woven mesh, they are very thorough when it comes to their services.
Each product listing contains possible applications, perforation patterns, and possible ranges of measurements. What’s more is that their laser cutting can be paired with their rolling, folding or welding services, acting as a one stop shop.
In terms of their cons, most of the products cater to established architects with large designs or huge industrial projects.
If you’re looking for a small custom laser cutting, you may have to look elsewhere.
Another downside is that customers may feel limited with the range of materials. Copper, brass or wood aren’t available options for materials. This company focuses on metals with particular structures (perforations and meshes) so not all projects will be welcomed.
Pros
- Experienced with more artistic designs
- Wide product portfolio (ex. Landscaping, food processing)
Cons
- Less open to smaller projects
- Limited to their core products of perforations and meshes
Customer Reviews
Technical expertise and involvement
The Dublin Port Diving Bell project provided an opportunity to revitalise a forgotten piece of Dublin’s urban history. The lettering was developed with Artist Vivienne Roche and Graepel fabricators, who worked collaboratively in the development of the font, the stroke of the lettering, the spacing of the letters and the size of perforations to provide the distinctive perforated lettering which now form part of the character of the re-interpreted bell… the technical expertise and advice of Graepel were beneficial in the development and realisation of the project . Graepels were involved with the project from concept through to realisation, this is apparent in the refined simplicity in the detail of the final product.–Kieran Fitzgerald | Móla Fitzgerald
Stunning and precise perforations
Fred, I know how much time went into making the Corten walkway for Chelsea – and you made it absolutely beautifully! The perforations were perfect, they simply looked stunning and the whole walkway was precision perfect. I know time was getting short at the end, but you pulled it off and helped me achieve a gold medal! Thanks Fred. Graepels [is] a company I will definitely work with again, and I will also highly recommend to others.–Hugo Bugg
3. Crowley Engineering
| Range of services | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Materials’ availability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Range of project sizes | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Crowley Engineering has had years of experience in dealing with the engineering and energy sector. Although some of their large-scale projects can seem overwhelming at first glance, this company has opened its services to even small-scale signages for businesses.
So don’t be intimidated by all of the silos and agricultural products that you might see in their portfolio, because Crowley has you covered with your more personalized designs.
Particularly for customers looking for laser cut options in the farming industry, Crowley has an impressive range of options. Some of these include the largest feeding systems down to very specific customized spare parts.
Crowley also has one of the widest arrays of materials available. Some of these materials include acrylic, foam, marble, rubber, slate, stone, and wood.
However, in terms of their laser cutting services, Crowley does primarily focus on agricultural and industrial products, so more intricate designs for laser cutting might be better elsewhere.
What’s more is that their preference for large scale products may not be the most cost effective for clients with smaller projects in mind. It would be best for these clients to look for smaller companies in that regard.
Pros
- Has a range of experience from large to small scale requests
- Wide array of materials
- Impressive portfolio in the farming industry
Cons
- Not cost effective for clients with smaller projects
- Less experienced with design focused products
4. Lasercut
| Range of services | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Materials’ availability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Range of project sizes | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Lasercut impressed us with their attention to technology and focus on a primary service.
Clients will enjoy their up-to-date technology that caters to both laser and plasma cutting. We like that with both available, customers have a wider option of applications.
They also have a close relationship with Irish Rollforming, which pairs their laser cutting service with other great options such as roofing and gutters. It is a great one stop shop for those looking for both laser cutting and renovation supplies.
What impressed us as well was the company’s attention to detail with their technology. They provide fiber laser and True Hole technology for efficient and detailed results.
This True Hole technology reduces the tapering of the hole made for bolts and thus is able to let parts connect smoother .
However, Lasercut appears to have a more limited range of applicable materials. This includes stainless steel, aluminum and mild steel up to 80mm thick so it might not be best for customers looking for other options.
They also tend to have busier phone lines and coordinating with them may be difficult. Considering this, placing urgent orders may be risky for clients looking for faster output.
If you are looking for a service that truly focuses solely on laser and plasma cutting for steel and aluminum, Laser Cutting might be your best bet.
Pros
- Paired with Irish Rollforming renovation supplies
- Detailed information on laser technology
Cons
- Less guided information about materials
- Possible longer waiting times
Customer reviews
Fiercely helpful
We find Lasercut very easy to deal with and fierce[ly] helpful. The Lasercut team [is] always willing to help out with new projects and challenges that we have coming up. The cutting quality of parts is excellent and [we] can depend on them.–Blackwater Engineering
5. ROS Precision Sheet Metal
| Range of services | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Materials’ availability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Range of project sizes | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
ROS Precision Sheet Metal which is a company that provides helpful in–house amenities, making the laser cutting process easy and efficient for any client.
What stands out about this company is the highlighted computer aided design and manufacturing system. Customers can be assured of the reliability of their processes as well as the shortened design time.
They accommodate both professionals using advanced formats as well as novices with a rough sketch of their designs.
Even if clients have only an idea, the company also has a design team that can help fully form the plan as well as apply it to their systems. This team is also open to various sizes of projects no matter how large or small.
The company has produced products in various industries, from farming tools to cabinets and even catering. If your project requires custom laser cut services in various applications and fields, don’t hesitate to ask them about their expertise.
Another notable detail of praise for this company is that they also have an installation team. This is an offering that not many laser cut services possess so it just goes to show how this company went above and beyond to aid the customer in all steps.
In terms of the company’s limitations, as stated in its name, it does only focus on steel and metal products. Customers looking for a range of options in materials may have to look at other services.
The company also does not state any notes of flexibility to their design process. While they have created products for various industries, most of their products fall under practical tools.
Looking at their gallery of products as well, there is a huge lack in showcasing products of more creative designs in favor of the industrial. Therefore, the limits of what their design team can help with is unclear and more decorative designs may be compromised.
Pros
- Computer aided design system
- Possess an installation team
- Experience with products from different industry
Cons
- Less experienced with products that are non–industrial
- Limiting to projects that have more intricate designs
FAQs About Laser Cutting
From laser cutting involving large industrial equipment to a small sign at your local store, we hope that this list helped you out in considering the options out there.
You can also check out our reviews on the best construction companies in Ireland.