# SendCutSend

> Online sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, CNC, and finishing services. Upload a design file, choose a material, add services, and get instant pricing. No minimum orders.

SendCutSend cuts, bends, and finishes parts from 178+ materials including metals (aluminum, steel, stainless, titanium, copper, brass), plastics (acrylic, HDPE, Delrin, polycarbonate, ABS), composites (carbon fiber, G-10, phenolic), and soft materials (rubber, cork, wood, foam). Typical turnaround is 3–5 business days.

This file helps LLM agents order parts on sendcutsend.com. Two companion JSON files provide structured data:

- **`sendcutsend-catalog.json`** — Ordering data: material list with SKUs, thicknesses, stock status, available services, cutting process, and size limits. Plus 151 hardware items and 25 finish options. Use this to select materials and configure orders.
- **`sendcutsend-specs.json`** — Engineering reference: bend parameters (k-factor, bend radius, bend deduction), cutting tolerances, material properties (density, strength, hardness), countersinking/tapping/dimple specs. Use this for design validation and manufacturability checks.

Both files are co-hosted alongside this guide.

## Ordering Flow

The ordering process has four configurator steps, then checkout:

1. **Upload** — Go to https://app.sendcutsend.com. Drag-and-drop or browse to upload a design file. Accepted formats: STEP (.step, .stp) preferred for 3D parts with bends; DXF (.dxf) for 2D flat patterns; DWG (.dwg); SVG (.svg); AI (.ai); EPS (.eps). The system auto-detects geometry, dimensions, and units. After upload, a **"Confirm drawing units"** dialog appears — select INCH or MM and click CONFIRM before proceeding. No login is required to upload and get instant pricing.

2. **Select Material** — The app displays the part outline and detected dimensions. Select a material by drilling through four levels: **Group** (Metals, Composites, Plastics, Wood and MDF, Rubber and Gasket) → **Category** (e.g., Aluminum) → **Alloy/Grade** (e.g., 5052 H32 Aluminum) → **Thickness** (e.g., .063"). Alternatively, use the "LIST VIEW" toggle for a flat searchable list of all materials.

3. **Add Services** — Based on the selected material, the app offers applicable secondary operations: bending, countersinking, tapping, hardware insertion, dimple forming, welding. Not all materials support all services — check the material's `available_services` array in the catalog JSON to know what is offered. Set **quantity** in the right sidebar (volume pricing tiers are shown: e.g., 2, 10, 50, 100, 1000). Engraving and etching appear under Add Finishing (step 4), not here.

4. **Add Finishing** — Select optional finishing: anodizing (Type II or Type III), powder coating, plating, tumbling, deburring, engraving, etching. Availability depends on material — again, check `available_services` in the catalog JSON. Anodizing is aluminum-only. Click **"ADD TO CART"** to add the configured part.

5. **Review & Checkout** — After adding to cart, review line items, adjust quantities, and place order. Login/account required at checkout. No minimum order value. Pricing is instant and per-part.

## File Format Guidelines

- **STEP** (.step, .stp): Best for parts with bends. SCS extracts the flat pattern automatically.
- **DXF** (.dxf): Best for 2D flat parts. Use polylines and arcs, not splines where possible. Set $INSUNITS correctly (1 = inches, 4 = mm). Layer names matter for bend lines (see Bending below).
- **DWG** (.dwg): AutoCAD native format. Same geometry rules as DXF.
- **SVG** (.svg): Supported. Convert text to outlines. Set document units explicitly.
- **AI** (.ai): Adobe Illustrator files. Convert text to outlines.
- **EPS** (.eps): Encapsulated PostScript. Convert text to outlines.

Maximum part size depends on material — check `max_part_size` in the catalog JSON. Minimum part size is typically 0.5" x 0.5" — check `min_part_size`. Exact limits vary per material.

## Material Selection

Materials are organized in a four-level hierarchy. When selecting a material in the UI, navigate:

- **Group** (e.g., Metals, Composites, Plastics, Wood and MDF, Rubber and Gasket)
- **Category** (e.g., Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel, Acrylic)
- **Alloy/grade** (e.g., 5052 H32, 1018 Mild Steel, 304 #4)
- **Thickness** (each alloy comes in specific thicknesses; the SKU encodes this)

Material SKUs encode material and thickness but the format varies across categories (e.g., `ALU-063`, `CR1095-125`, `G90-048`, `UHMWBLACK-500`). Do not construct SKUs — look up the exact SKU for the desired material and thickness in `sendcutsend-catalog.json`.

Some materials may be temporarily out of stock. Check the `out_of_stock` field in the catalog JSON — if `true`, the material cannot be ordered until restocked. Select an alternative material or thickness when a desired option is unavailable.

### Material Categories and Counts

- Aluminum: 30 variants (5052 H32, 6061-T6, 7075-T6, 6063-T52, MIC6 Cast, etc.)
- Steel: 31 variants (1018 Mild, A36, 4130, 1095 High Carbon, etc.)
- Stainless Steel: 15 variants (304, 316, 430)
- Titanium: 6 variants (Grade 2, Grade 5/Ti-6Al-4V)
- Copper: 5 variants (110, 101)
- Brass: 5 variants (260, 360)
- Acrylic: 15 variants (cast clear, colored, mirrored)
- Carbon Fiber Plate: 6 variants
- G-10/FR4: 5 variants
- HDPE, ABS, Polycarbonate, Delrin, UHMW, and more

### Key Material Properties Available

Each material in the **specs JSON** includes: thickness tolerances, cutting tolerances, flatness tolerance, min hole size, min bridge width, density, tensile/yield strength, hardness, thermal properties, and detailed parameters for each supported secondary operation.

Each material in the **catalog JSON** includes: SKU, name, category, group, thickness, cutting process (fiber laser, CO2 laser, waterjet, CNC router), min/max part size, stock status, and the list of available services.

## Bending

Not all materials support bending. Check the material's `available_services` array in the catalog JSON — if it includes `"bending"`, the material supports it. Detailed bend parameters are in the specs JSON under `bending_specs`.

For materials that support bending:

- **Bend lines in DXF**: Place bend lines on a dedicated layer (any name — SCS does not enforce a specific layer name). Bend lines mark the center of each bend and must extend completely across the area to be bent. Line type depends on your CAD software: use a dashed line (not hidden) in SolidWorks and AutoCAD; use a solid line in Fusion 360 and Adobe Illustrator. Line color does not matter — SCS ignores it.
- **STEP files**: SCS extracts bend geometry automatically from the 3D model. STEP is preferred for bent parts.
- **Bend radius**: Each material/thickness has a specific inside bend radius (the `effective_bend_radius` or `bend_radius` field in specs JSON). This is not adjustable — it is determined by the tooling.
- **K-factor**: Used to calculate flat pattern dimensions. Each material/thickness has a specific k-factor (typically 0.33–0.50). Available in the specs JSON.
- **Bend deduction**: The amount subtracted from the flat pattern at each bend. Per-material/thickness values in the specs JSON.
- **Max bend length**: Typically 44" for metals, varies by material.
- **Max bend angle**: Typically 120–130 degrees (not a full 180° hem).
- **Minimum flange length**: The shortest tab you can bend. Varies by thickness — check `min_flange_length_before_bend` and `min_flange_length_after_bend` in the specs JSON.
- **Bend angle tolerance**: Typically +/- 1 degree for parts up to 24", +/- 2 degrees for parts over 24".
- **Corner relief**: Required near bends. Minimum distance from bend line specified per material.
- **Joggle (Z-bend)**: Min and max joggle dimensions available per material.

## Hardware Insertion

151 hardware items available in the catalog JSON: standoffs, flush nuts, nuts, and studs.

Each hardware item specifies:
- Thread size (M2.5 through M8, #4-40 through 3/8"-16)
- Fastener material (carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum)
- Min clearance-to-edge distance (typically 0.25")
- Max hardware diameter
- Compatible sheet materials and thicknesses (in `manufacturing_specs`)

Hardware placement requires the part to have a hole at the insertion point. The hole diameter must match the hardware spec. Check `min_cl_to_edge_distance` to ensure hardware isn't too close to the part edge.

## Countersinking

Available on select materials (check `available_services` for `"countersinking"`). Detailed specs are in the specs JSON under `countersinking_specs`:
- Min and max countersink diameters (`countersink_min_minor`, `countersink_max_major`)
- Minimum hole-center-to-edge distance
- Minimum hole-center-to-bend-line distance (where bending is also used)

## Tapping

Available on select materials (check `available_services` for `"tapping"`). Detailed specs are in the specs JSON under `tapping_specs`:
- Smallest and largest tap sizes (e.g., M4x0.7 through 1/2"-20)
- Min hole-to-edge distance
- Min/max part size constraints for tapped parts

## Dimple Forming

Available on select metals (check `available_services` for `"dimple_forming"`). Creates raised circular features. Detailed specs are in the specs JSON under `dimple_forming_specs`:
- Smallest/largest dimple diameter (typically 0.5"–3.0")
- Dimple height by diameter (varies)
- Min hole-center-to-bend-line distance
- Part size constraints

## Finishing Options

25 finish options in the catalog JSON across these categories:

- **Anodizing** (aluminum only): Type II (decorative, multiple colors), Type III Hard (wear-resistant, clear or black). Listed as `finish_type: "anodizing"` in catalog JSON.
- **Powder Coating**: Multiple colors and textures. Available on metals. Listed as `finish_type: "powder"` in catalog JSON.
- **Plating**: Clear zinc, black zinc, yellow zinc, clear nickel. Primarily metals — check `available_services` for `"plating"` per material. Listed as `finish_type: "plating"` in catalog JSON.
- **Tumbling**: Deburrs and smooths edges. Check `available_services` for `"tumbling"`. Tumbling is a service operation, not a finish option record — it does not appear in the `finish_options` array.
- **Deburring**: Basic edge cleanup. Check `available_services` for `"deburring"`. Like tumbling, this is a service operation.

## Design Rules Summary

| Rule | Typical Value | Notes |
|------|--------------|-------|
| Min part size | 0.5" x 0.5" | Check `min_part_size` in catalog JSON |
| Max part size | 44" x 24" | Check `max_part_size` in catalog JSON |
| Min hole diameter | Material-dependent | See `min_hole_size` in specs JSON |
| Min bridge width | Material-dependent | See `min_bridge_size` in specs JSON |
| Min hole-to-edge | Material-dependent | See `min_hole_to_edge` in specs JSON |
| Tab-slot tolerance | ~0.010" | For interlocking joints |
| Cut tolerance | +0.005" / -0.005" | Typical for laser; see specs JSON |
| Thickness tolerance | Varies | +/- 0.003" to 0.015"; see specs JSON |

## Rate Limiting and Politeness

When automating interactions with sendcutsend.com:
- The marketing site (sendcutsend.com) allows all AI crawlers; the app (app.sendcutsend.com) restricts crawlers via `robots.txt`. User-authorized browser automation (with the user logged in and directing the agent) is distinct from unsanctioned scraping.
- Do not scrape material specification pages — use the companion JSON files instead
- Space automated requests by at least 1 second
- Do not attempt to automate checkout without explicit user authorization

## Structured Data

Two companion JSON files are co-hosted alongside this guide:

**`sendcutsend-catalog.json`** — Everything needed to place an order:
- 178 materials with SKU, name, category, group, thickness, cutting process, min/max part size, stock status, and available services
- 151 hardware items (standoffs, flush nuts, nuts, studs) with thread sizes, dimensions, pricing, and compatible materials
- 25 finish options (anodizing, powder coating, plating) with colors and codes

**`sendcutsend-specs.json`** — Engineering reference for design validation:
- Per-material cutting specs (tolerances, hole/bridge minimums, flatness)
- Bending parameters (k-factor, bend radius, bend deduction, flange limits, joggle dimensions)
- Countersinking, tapping, dimple forming parameters
- Material properties (density, tensile/yield strength, hardness, thermal properties)
- Detailed parameters keyed by material SKU — join to catalog by SKU
- Engraving, etching, and welding specs (part size constraints) are included for materials that support them

## Optional

- [SendCutSend design guides](https://sendcutsend.com/resources/): Tutorials on designing for laser cutting, bending, hardware, and finishing.
- [Material pages](https://sendcutsend.com/materials/): Human-readable material detail pages with photos and specifications.
- [Instant quote](https://app.sendcutsend.com): Upload a file and get instant pricing (web UI, not an API).