Choosing the Right Manufacturing Route: Metal Pressing vs Laser Cutting
How Jenks & Cattell Engineering Helps You Make the Right Decision
For 140 years, Jenks & Cattell Engineering have been experts in metal pressing, and laser cut fabrication specialists for 20 years. When it comes to manufacturing sheet metal components, we are the right business to help our partners select the right production method which is critical to achieving the best cost, quality and lead time.
Understand Metal Pressing and Laser Cutting Processes
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting offers flexibility. It requires no upfront tooling cost and allows for rapid, risk-free changes to design.
Laser cutting is ideal for:
- Prototypes, conception phases and early-stage development
- Low production and variable quantity batches
- Projects with evolving and interchangeable designs
- Annual volumes typically below 5,000-10,000 units
Metal Pressing
Metal pressing (stamping) requires a tooling investment. The process is high quality, repeatable and cost effective for mid-high-volume projects.
Metal pressing is ideal for:
- Volumes beyond 5,000 per year
- Component tolerance and design is set and stable
- Cost per part is the key driver
- Consistency and speed are critical
Prototyping & Project Work: Start with Flexibility
Laser cutting is a quick option to manufacture without tooling investment. As our partners designs and tolerances evolve, or demand is not yet fully defined, laser cutting is a great option. For more complex components, we are able to offer soft prototype tooling. In addition, our 3D printer can print plastic components without investment so we can complete feasibility studies and weld accessibility etc…
At Jenks & Cattell Engineering, we regularly support:
- Prototyping for product development
- Pre-production and validation batches
- Bridge manufacturing before full-scale production
This approach allows customers to test and refine their designs while keeping costs controlled and lead times short.
Scaling Up: When Metal Pressing Becomes the Smart Investment
When designs are firm and quantities are higher, the economics begin to shift. Whilst laser cutting has no tooling cost, the cost per-part remains relatively high. Metal pressing introduces a tooling investment but reduces the cost per component at scale.
How to change from laser cut fabrication to metal pressing?
We support this transition by:
- Analysing your forecast volumes and cost models
- Identifying the optimal point to invest in tooling
- Ensuring a smooth migration from laser to press production
- Tool buy-offs will include a fit-for-function analysis, FMEA, ISIR to ensure the part is manufactured to CAD to tolerance
Tooling Investment
Tooling can often feel like a barrier due to investment costs, but we make the process straightforward and low risk.
- Tooling costs can be amortised over production volumes, reducing upfront financial impact
- We work with a trusted and established supply base to source high-quality, cost-effective tooling
- Our engineering team ensures tools are designed for efficiency and repeatability
- Tooling is maintained after in our in-house Tool Maintenance Area after every batch run
A Partner for the Full Product Lifecycle
One of the key advantages of working with Jenks & Cattell Engineering is our ability to support the entire product lifecycle:
- Prototype & Development – Fast, flexible laser cutting
- Project & Pre-Production – Scalable low-volume manufacturing
- Full Production – Cost efficient metal pressing solutions
Rather than choosing one process in isolation, we help you plan the manufacturing route.
Making the Right Choice
- If you need speed, flexibility, and low upfront cost → Laser cutting is the ideal starting point
- If you need efficiency, repeatability, and lower unit costs at scale → Metal pressing is the long-term solution
At Jenks & Cattell Engineering, our team combine both capabilities with commercial insight, helping you make informed decisions that deliver real value over time.
