Gleicher Manufacturing offers all the precision laser cutting services you require for adhesive tapes, foams, films and other flexible materials. Our laser cutting equipment enables your engineering team to create intricate shaped parts and geometries without the tooling costs associated with knife or die cutting, this is perfect for prototyping as well as some production runs.
With over 75 years of experience in the converting business, and as both a Velcro® and 3M Preferred Converter, we are able to manufacture custom laser-cut parts with close tolerance control and tightly held specifications.
What is laser cutting?
Laser cutting is a process that focuses a thermal beam of light to cut or “burn” a material into a defined pattern. Unlike traditional methods, there is no physical blade touching the surface. The material is cut by heat, which removes tool wear and reduces mechanical stress on the edges. The result is a precise cut, although the finish will vary depending on the material being processed.
Laser cutting is especially effective for detailed work on delicate substrates.It can also be more efficient than traditional machinery in certain production applications. When designs are too complex for flatbed or rotary dies, the laser follows precise instructions that can be imported directly from CAD files.
It is one of the fastest methods for prototyping and short runs, making it easy to test and adjust designs without tooling delays.
Laser cutting capabilities at Gleicher
Our laser cutting services move beyond regular and simple through-cutting. We are proud to offer full through cutting services, which separates parts from sheet or roll stock, but we also offer kiss cutting, where only the face of the material is cut while the liner remains intact. This is ideal for peel-and-place adhesive applications.
Laser cutting is particularly effective for complex shapes including tight radii, and fine features that exceed the capabilities of traditional die-cutting.
With Gleicher, you get cutting and finishing all in one location.
Materials for laser cutting
Gleicher has been a 3M Preferred Converter for over 30 years. This gives us direct access to a large range of 3M adhesive materials. We laser cut a wide range of materials, including adhesive transfer and double-coated tapes, 3M VHB, specialty foam tapes, gasket materials, films such as polyester and polyimide, nonwovens, hook and loop fasteners, and multi-layer laminate structures.
Industries and applications
Our laser cutting service supports manufacturers in a variety of sectors including:
- Electronics: EMI shielding gaskets, display bonding tapes, thermal interface materials
- Transportation: Interior trim attachment, sensor mounting, vibration dampening components
- Aerospace: High-performance bonding tapes, surface protection films
- Medical devices: Biocompatible adhesive components can be processed in a clean room or white room.
- General industrial: Custom gaskets, seals, spacers, and assembly tapes
If your application requires a controlled manufacturing environment, our white room die cutting capabilities provide ISO-certified processing for sensitive components.
Why choose Gleicher for laser cutting?
What sets Gleicher apart is that we tailor our production capabilities to your product. We are proud to be a custom converter that specializes in converting adhesive tapes, films, and foams. These materials require a different level of process control and expertise than standard metal laser cutting.
To support this, we operate both flatbed and galvo-style laser systems, giving us the flexibility to match the right cutting approach to your specific material and geometry requirements.
As a 3M Preferred Converter, we have direct access to 3M materials and technical resources, including new product development, lab support, and application testing. With three generations of converting experience, we understand how materials perform in real-world applications, from adhesive behaviour through to long-term durability.
We also convert a wide range of reclosable fastening systems, including VELCRO® Brand products, which are commonly used in applications that require repeatable access and secure fastening.
Our approach is not just to cut what is supplied. We work closely with your engineering team to identify the right material and construction for your application, and then convert it into a format that fits your production process.
From initial prototype quantities through to full production volumes, our process is designed to scale with your needs.
Contact us to discuss your project and find out how our laser cutting service fits your next application.
Frequently asked questions about laser cutting service
What is a laser cutting service?
A laser cutting service uses focused light energy to cut materials into custom shapes from CAD designs. In converting, that means cutting adhesive tapes, films, foams, and other flexible materials with high precision and no tooling costs.
How much does laser cutting cost?
Costs depend on the material, part complexity, quantity, and any secondary operations required. For prototyping and short runs, laser cutting is often more cost-effective than traditional die cutting because there are no tooling costs. As volumes increase, die cutting may become more economical depending on the application.
For an accurate quote, it is best to review the specific requirements of your project.
What materials can be laser cut?
Adhesive tapes, films, foams, nonwovens, polyester, polyimide, and plenty of other flexible materials work well with laser cutting. Some materials such as PVC-based products in particular, aren't suitable because of the fumes they produce when heated.
What is the difference between laser cutting and die cutting?
Die cutting uses a physical blade or die to cut material. Laser cutting uses a focused light beam. Laser cutting requires no tooling, handles more intricate geometries, and costs less for prototypes and short runs. Die cutting tends to be faster and more economical at high volumes.
Can laser cutting handle small production runs?
Absolutely. Because there’s no tooling involved, you don’t have tooling costs that need to be spread across thousands of parts. That makes laser cutting a natural fit for prototyping, short runs, and products where designs change often.
