Starweld Engineering delivers CNC plasma cutting in Sheffield for mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium and exotic alloys up to around 50mm thick. From our Sheffield workshop we cut single profiles, prototypes and full production batches for clients across Yorkshire and the wider UK, with quick turnaround, ISO 9001 quality documentation, and the option of free-issue material or full sourcing on your behalf.
What is CNC Plasma Cutting?
CNC plasma cutting uses a high-velocity jet of ionised gas — plasma — heated to tens of thousands of degrees to melt and blow material out of the cut line. The torch path is driven by computer numerical control, so complex profiles can be cut accurately and repeatably from CAD drawings.
Plasma is the go-to process for stainless steel and aluminium (which can’t be flame cut), and the most economical option for mild steel up to around 25mm. It’s faster than flame cutting on thinner plate, leaves a finer kerf, and produces a cleaner edge with less heat-affected zone. For a technical overview of the process, see The Welding Institute’s plasma arc cutting overview.
Our CNC Plasma Cutting Capabilities
Our Sheffield plasma cutting service handles:
- Mild steel up to around 50mm thick — including S275, S355 and other structural grades
- Stainless steel up to around 40mm — all common grades including 304 and 316
- Aluminium up to around 40mm — including 5083, 6082 and 6063
- Complex profiles from CAD drawings — straight cuts, curves, internal cut-outs, slots and holes with a fine kerf
- Single profiles, prototypes, and batch production runs
- Free-issue plate or material sourced through us — including mill test certificates
- Full material traceability under our ISO 9001 quality management system
For thicker carbon steel plate — typically over 50mm and up to 150mm — see our CNC flame cutting service, which is more economical on heavy mild steel.
Plasma Cutting vs Flame Cutting
Both processes are CNC-driven, but they suit different jobs:
- Plasma cutting — best for mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium up to around 50mm. Faster, with a finer kerf, cleaner edge and minimal heat-affected zone. Works on any electrically conductive metal.
- Flame cutting — best for carbon steel plate from around 25mm up to 150mm. Highly cost-effective on thick plate, but only works on ferrous materials (the cutting reaction relies on the steel oxidising in the oxygen stream).
If you’re not sure which process suits your job, send us the drawing and material specification and we’ll advise on the right route.
Materials We Plasma Cut
- Mild steel and structural steel — S275, S355 and similar grades
- Stainless steel — 304, 316, duplex and other grades
- Aluminium — all common grades including 5083, 6082 and 6063
- Copper and brass
- Specialist and exotic alloys — please confirm specification before quoting
Plasma cutting works on any electrically conductive metal, which makes it the most versatile of the CNC profile cutting processes. For non-conductive materials, or for very thick carbon steel, talk to us about alternative routes.
Industries We Serve
Starweld’s CNC plasma cutting service supports:
- Manufacturing and fabrication — brackets, plates, gussets, machinery components
- Construction and structural steelwork — base plates, cleats, fittings
- Food, pharmaceutical and chemical processing — stainless steel components and panels
- Architectural and decorative metalwork — intricate aluminium and stainless profiles
- Automotive and motorsport — chassis components, brackets, restoration parts
- Marine, defence and aerospace — including high-spec work such as our nuclear waste transfer flask programme
- Energy, pipeline and rail infrastructure
- Art, sculpture and signage — detailed profiles where a clean edge matters
Why Choose Starweld for CNC Plasma Cutting in Sheffield
From Profiled Plate to Finished Component, Under One Roof
Plasma cutting is rarely the end of the job — most profiles need further work. Starweld brings steel fabrication and welding, aluminium fabrication and TIG welding, precision engineering, and CAD design and 3D printing together in the same Sheffield workshop. That means profiled plate can be welded, machined to final tolerance and finished without leaving site — removing the lead time and quality risk of multi-supplier supply chains.
ISO 9001 Quality Documentation
Every plasma cut profile is produced under the ISO 9001 certified quality management system of our parent company, Heaps, Arnold & Heaps Ltd. Material certificates and inspection records are supplied with delivery, or available on request for jobs requiring full traceability.
80 Years of Sheffield Engineering Heritage
Starweld was founded in Sheffield in 1944, and our parent group’s manufacturing heritage runs back to 1770. That depth of experience matters when you’re cutting safety-critical or food-grade stainless components.
Quick Turnaround and Flexible Material Supply
We work to fast lead times for both single profiles and batch quantities. Supply your own plate (free-issue) or have us source certified material on your behalf — whatever suits the job. If something on-site needs urgent attention, our mobile welding service can run alongside the cutting work.
Serving Sheffield, Yorkshire and the UK
Our CNC plasma cutting service operates from our workshop on Harleston Street, Sheffield (S4 7QB), serving clients across Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Chesterfield and the wider Yorkshire region. For UK-wide projects, we offer collection, delivery and project co-ordination as standard.
CNC Plasma Cutting FAQ
What materials can you plasma cut?
Plasma cutting works on any electrically conductive metal — mild steel, structural steel grades (S275, S355), stainless steel (304, 316, duplex and others), aluminium across all common grades, copper, brass, and specialist alloys. For non-conductive materials or for carbon steel over 50mm thick, talk to us about alternative routes such as CNC flame cutting.
What's the maximum plate thickness you can plasma cut?
Our CNC plasma cutting service handles mild steel up to around 50mm, with stainless steel and aluminium up to around 40mm depending on grade. For thicker carbon steel plate — typically over 50mm and up to 150mm — flame cutting is more economical and we'd route the job through our CNC flame cutting service instead.
What's the difference between plasma cutting and flame cutting?
Both are CNC-driven profile cutting processes but they suit different jobs. Plasma cutting is faster, gives a finer kerf, leaves a cleaner edge, and works on any electrically conductive metal — including stainless steel and aluminium, which flame cutting can't cut. Flame cutting (oxy-fuel) is more economical on thick carbon steel plate over around 25mm, and can handle thicknesses up to 150mm. Send us your specification and we'll recommend the right process.
Can you plasma cut stainless steel and aluminium?
Yes — plasma is the preferred CNC profile cutting process for stainless steel and aluminium, since flame cutting can't be used on either (oxy-fuel needs a ferrous material that will oxidise in the oxygen stream). We regularly cut 304 and 316 stainless, plus all common aluminium grades including 5083, 6082 and 6063.
Can I supply my own material for cutting (free-issue)?
Yes — we'll happily work with customer-supplied plate (free-issue material). Alternatively, we can source certified plate to your specification, complete with mill test certificates and full traceability under our ISO 9001 quality system. Whichever suits the job.
What file formats do you accept for CNC plasma cutting?
We work from standard CAD formats — DXF is most common, plus DWG and PDF drawings with clear dimensions. If you've only got a sketch or a physical sample, we can produce drawings for you through our in-house CAD design service.
Do you handle one-off profiles or only batch production?
Both — we cut single profiles, small batches and full production runs. Pricing scales with quantity, and we're equally happy with a single bracket or a few thousand identical parts.
Do you provide material certificates and traceability?
Yes — every job is produced under the ISO 9001 certified quality management system of our parent company, Heaps, Arnold & Heaps Ltd. Mill test certificates and inspection records are supplied with delivery, or available on request for jobs that require full traceability.
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
We're based at Harleston Street, Sheffield, S4 7QB, and serve clients across Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Chesterfield and the wider Yorkshire region. For UK-wide projects we offer collection, delivery and project co-ordination as standard.
How do I get a quote for CNC plasma cutting?
Send us your DXF or PDF drawing along with material specification, quantity and required lead time. Give us a ring on 0114 272 0283, email sales@starweld.co.uk, or call into the Sheffield workshop, and we'll come back with pricing and timings.
Get a Quote for CNC Plasma Cutting in Sheffield
Send us your DXF drawing or PDF along with material specification, quantity and required lead time, and we’ll come back with pricing and timings.
Call 0114 272 0283, email sales@starweld.co.uk, or call into the Sheffield workshop to discuss your project.
Starweld Sheffield — Precision. Strength. Reliability.