How CutLinq Works
From file upload to a binding quote in 12 hours, then production and delivery
CutLinq connects buyers of laser-cut, CNC-machined, bent and welded metal parts to a network of manufacturing suppliers across Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. A buyer uploads a DXF or STEP file, specifies material, quantity and finish, and receives a binding quote within 12 hours, without phone calls or back-and-forth email quoting.
The process runs in four steps: upload the file, receive a quote, approve and pay, and track production through to delivery. Suppliers in the CutLinq network hold ISO 9001 where relevant to the work.
Step 1: upload your file
Upload a DXF file for flat, laser-cut or punched sheet metal parts, or a STEP file for machined or 3D geometry. Include material grade, thickness, quantity and any finish requirement (galvanising, powder coat RAL colour, anodising type) alongside the file.
For bent parts, a flat pattern DXF plus a note on bend angle and direction is usually enough; parts with multiple bends benefit from a full drawing or 3D model to avoid ambiguity in the bend sequence.
Step 2: receive a binding quote within 12 hours
The file is matched against suppliers with the right equipment and material stock for the job. A binding quote is returned within 12 hours, covering price, lead time and any clarifying notes on tolerance or finish. This is not an estimate that changes later; it is the price and lead time the order is produced against.
| Step | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| File review and matching | within a few hours |
| Binding quote returned | within 12 hours |
| Order approval | buyer-controlled |
| Production start | same or next working day after approval |
Step 3: approve and production begins
Once the quote is approved, the order is placed with the matched supplier and production begins. Standard laser-cut or bent parts typically take 3-5 working days; CNC-machined parts take 4-8 working days; parts requiring finishing such as galvanising or powder coating add 2-4 working days.
Any change to quantity, material or finish after approval is requoted rather than assumed, to keep the binding quote accurate.
Step 4: delivery
Finished parts are delivered by courier for small orders (typically same-day or next-day within the same city) or by pallet freight for larger orders (typically 1-2 days locally, longer for cross-border delivery between Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia). WhatsApp support is available for order updates and questions throughout the process.
Design tips
- Upload a DXF for flat parts and a STEP file for machined or 3D geometry to get the fastest quote.
- State material grade and thickness explicitly rather than leaving it to be inferred from the file.
- Specify quantity upfront since unit price changes materially with batch size.
- Flag any tolerance tighter than ISO 2768 medium separately in your notes.
- For bent parts with 3 or more bends, send a 3D STEP model rather than a flat DXF alone.
- Note finish requirements (RAL colour, anodising type) at quoting stage, not after approval.
- Use WhatsApp support for quick clarifications rather than waiting on email during quoting.
Applications
| Industry | Example parts | Typical material |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Panel enclosures | Mild steel, 304 stainless |
| HVAC | Duct brackets, hangers | Galvanised steel DX51D |
| Machinery OEM | Housings, brackets | 6061-T6, S235JR |
| Signage | Facade panels, letters | Aluminium 5754 |
| Solar | Mounting structures | Galvanised steel, aluminium |
| Construction | Structural brackets | S235JR, S355 |
Pricing and lead time
Price is driven by three factors: material grade and thickness, part complexity (cut length, bends, machining features), and order quantity (batch pricing lowers unit cost significantly above roughly 20-50 pieces). Lead time ranges from 3-5 working days for simple laser-cut or bent parts to 4-10 working days for machined or finished parts, quoted precisely within the 12-hour turnaround.
Frequently asked questions
Within 12 hours, a binding quote covering price and lead time is returned based on the file, material, quantity and finish you specify.
Upload a DXF or STEP file now to receive a binding quote within 12 hours.