What should I send to order CNC-cut carbon fiber sheet parts?
Send five things: a drawing, the thickness, the surface finish on each face, the fiber grade and the quantity. With those, a quote needs one round instead of three.
1. Thickness
Standard 3K T300 sheets come in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm, from 500 × 500 mm to 1000 × 1000 mm.[1] Custom sheets can be made from 0.2 mm to 150 mm thick.[2] Drone arms and frames commonly use 2–5 mm; thick blocks are used for machined fixtures. Ask for the thickness tolerance on your quote.
2. Sheet size
Custom sheets go from 100 × 100 mm up to 9000 × 3000 mm.[2] Most CNC parts are nested on standard sheets, which costs less. Say so if a single part is larger than about 1 m.
3. Surface finish
- Glossy: a clear resin face that shows the weave. The usual choice for visible parts.
- Five-point matte: a soft matte face that hides fingerprints and small scratches.
- Full matte: a flat, non-reflective face, often used on camera and optical equipment.[2]
Say whether one face or both are visible.
| Finish | Look | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Glossy | clear resin, weave visible | visible parts |
| Five-point matte | soft matte, hides fingerprints | handled parts |
| Full matte | flat, no reflections | camera and optical equipment |
4. Fiber grade
T300 suits most parts. Higher grades, from T700 and T800 up to M40, M55 and M60, make stiffer or stronger plates for long, thin arms or precision fixtures, at a higher price.[2] If stiffness is not the limit, stay with T300.
5. Drawing
Send a DXF or DWG for 2D cutting, and a STEP file if the part has countersinks, pockets or chamfers. Mark tolerances only where they matter, and give hole sizes and quantities.
Edges, holes and inserts
Cut carbon edges can be sharp. Ask for sanded or chamfered edges on parts people handle. Holes for threaded inserts need the insert specification.
How long does it take?
Samples ship in 5–7 days and are charged for sheets and parts. Bulk orders take about 30 days.[3] Send your drawing through the quote form or see the carbon fiber sheet page.