Design Your Own Metal Parts Without CAD Software

You Don't Need CAD Software to Get Custom Parts Made

Most people who need custom metal parts don't have AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Fusion 360. They have a rough idea of what they need — a bracket, a mounting plate, a gusset — and no way to turn it into a file a laser cutter can read.

That's the gap parametric templates fill. You pick the part type, set your dimensions, choose a material, and download a production-ready DXF file. No software to install, no learning curve, no account required.

We built five free parametric templates that cover the most common custom metal parts. Each one runs in your browser, generates a live preview as you adjust parameters, and connects directly to instant pricing.

---

The 5 Templates

1. Mounting Plate

What it is: A flat plate with configurable hole patterns — the most universal metal part in existence.

Use cases:

• Motor mounts and equipment bases
• Electrical panel backplanes
• Sensor and camera mounting plates
• Wall-mount brackets for shelving or equipment

What you can configure:

• Width and height
• Corner radius (sharp to fully rounded)
• Hole grid (rows × columns)
• Hole diameter and spacing
• Material and thickness

Why it matters: Every workshop, every project, every installation needs mounting plates. Instead of sketching one on paper and emailing it to a fabricator, you configure it in 30 seconds and get an exact laser cutting price.

Design a mounting plate →

---

2. L-Bracket

What it is: A right-angle bracket with two flanges — for connecting surfaces at 90 degrees.

Use cases:

• Shelf supports and furniture legs
• Equipment mounting to walls or floors
• Structural connections in frames
• Cable tray supports

What you can configure:

• Flange A and Flange B lengths (doesn't have to be symmetrical)
• Width
• Corner radius
• Mounting holes on each flange
• Hole diameter
• Material and thickness

Why it matters: L-brackets are ordered in the thousands every day across Australia. Most people buy generic ones from Bunnings. If your application needs a specific size, specific hole pattern, or a specific material — this template gets you exactly what you need, laser cut from real steel.

Design an L-bracket →

---

3. Shelf Bracket

What it is: A triangular bracket that supports a shelf from below — with two mounting faces (wall side and shelf side).

Use cases:

• Custom shelving in workshops and garages
• Display shelving in retail and hospitality
• Heavy-duty industrial racking supports
• Decorative shelf brackets in stainless or aluminium

What you can configure:

• Depth (shelf side) and height (wall side)
• Support style: solid triangle for maximum strength, or curved concave arc for a modern look
• Corner radius
• Wall holes and shelf holes (0–4 each)
• Hole diameter and edge inset
• Material and thickness

Why it matters: Off-the-shelf brackets are never the right size. Custom shelf brackets let you match exact shelf depths, exact wall stud spacing, and exact load requirements. The curved style looks great in stainless steel for kitchen or bar shelving.

Design a shelf bracket →

---

4. Gusset Plate

What it is: A reinforcement plate used at structural connections — triangular or rectangular, with bolt holes for fastening.

Use cases:

• Steel frame corner reinforcement
• Trailer and vehicle chassis bracing
• Structural connections in buildings and sheds
• Equipment frame stiffening

What you can configure:

• Base width and height
• Shape: right triangle, isosceles triangle, or rectangular
• Corner radius
• Bolt holes (0, 2, 3, 4, or 6) — auto-positioned based on shape
• Hole diameter and edge inset
• Material and thickness

Why it matters: Every structural steel project uses gusset plates. Fabricators cut them by hand or order generic ones that don't quite fit. This template lets you specify exact dimensions and bolt patterns for your connection, download the DXF, and get them laser cut with ±0.1mm accuracy.

Design a gusset plate →

---

5. Sign Blank

What it is: A flat plate in rectangular, rounded, or arch-top shape — ready for lettering, engraving, or mounting as-is.

Use cases:

• Address number plates and house signs
• Workshop and business signage
• Memorial plaques and dedication plates
• Decorative wall art blanks

What you can configure:

• Width and height
• Corner style: square, rounded, or arch top
• Corner radius (for rounded style)
• Mounting holes (0, 2, or 4)
• Hole diameter and edge inset
• Material and thickness

Why it matters: Stainless steel or aluminium sign blanks in custom sizes are hard to find. Sign companies charge a premium for non-standard dimensions. This template lets you specify exactly what you need and get it laser cut — clean edges, precise dimensions, ready to engrave or mount.

Design a sign blank →

---

How the Templates Work

Every template follows the same three-step process:

1. Configure your part

Adjust sliders and dropdowns to set dimensions, hole patterns, material, and thickness. A live SVG preview updates instantly so you can see exactly what you're getting. Dimension labels show real measurements.

2. Download the DXF

Click "Download DXF" to get a production-ready file. The DXF contains clean geometry — lines, arcs, and circles with exact coordinates. Open it in any CAD viewer to verify, or send it straight to a fabricator.

3. Get an instant price

Click "Get Exact Price" and the template generates a DXF, uploads it for analysis, and redirects you to the instant quote page with your part pre-loaded. You see the exact laser cutting price — material cost, cutting time, handling — broken down line by line. Add to cart and checkout if the price works.

No account, no email, no phone call. Configure → price → order.

---

When to Use Templates vs Full CAD

Use a template when:

• Your part is a common shape (plate, bracket, gusset, sign)
• You need specific dimensions but don't need unusual geometry
• You don't have CAD software and don't want to learn it
• You need a quick price estimate for budgeting

Use full CAD (DXF or STEP upload) when:

• Your part has complex geometry — curves, cutouts, internal features
• You need a 3D folded part (STEP files support automatic bend detection)
• Your design includes engraving or text
• You're working from an existing engineering drawing

Both paths lead to the same instant quote system. Templates just remove the CAD software barrier for common parts.

---

Materials Available

All templates support the same materials available through our instant quote system:

• Mild Steel — 1.6mm to 16mm. The workhorse. Cheapest option, easy to weld and paint.
• Stainless Steel 304 — 1.2mm to 10mm. Corrosion resistant, great for food, marine, and outdoor use.
• Stainless Steel 316 — 1.2mm to 6mm. Superior corrosion resistance for harsh environments.
• Aluminium 5052 — 1.6mm to 10mm. Lightweight, good corrosion resistance.
• Galvanised Steel — 1.2mm to 3mm. Pre-coated for outdoor use without painting.

Thickness options vary by material. The template selector shows only valid combinations.

---

Real Examples

Here are some real use cases where templates replace the need for CAD software:

Workshop equipment mounting: A mechanic needs four 150×100mm mounting plates in 5mm mild steel with M10 bolt holes to secure a compressor. Configure in the mounting plate template, order 4, done.

Custom garage shelving: A homeowner wants shelf brackets that match their 350mm deep shelves and 400mm wall stud spacing. No off-the-shelf bracket fits. The shelf bracket template produces the exact part in 3mm mild steel.

Trailer bracing: A trailer builder needs right-triangle gussets at 100×150mm in 5mm mild steel with 3 bolt holes. The gusset plate template produces them with ±0.1mm accuracy. Order 20, total cost is a fraction of buying generic and drilling.

Business signage: A cafe needs a 400×200mm arch-top sign blank in 1.5mm stainless steel 304 with two mounting holes. The sign blank template handles it — download the DXF or go straight to pricing.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to create an account to use the templates?

No. Every template works without signup, without an email address, and without any account. Open the template, configure your part, and download the DXF or get a price.

Are the DXF files generated by the templates production-ready?

Yes. The DXF files contain clean geometry that any laser cutter or CNC machine can read. They use standard LINE, ARC, and CIRCLE entities with exact coordinates.

Can I modify the DXF after downloading?

Absolutely. Open it in any CAD software — Fusion 360, AutoCAD, LibreCAD (free), or even our free DXF viewer to check dimensions before ordering.

What if I need a part that doesn't match any template?

Upload your own DXF or STEP file to the instant quote page for any custom geometry. Or contact us at 07 5616 4988 — we can draw it for you from a sketch or description.

How accurate is the laser cutting?

±0.1mm on all laser-cut features. Hole positions, outer dimensions, and cutout geometry are all cut to this tolerance on our 3kW fibre laser.

Is there a minimum order?

No minimum order — you can order a single part. The minimum charge for sheet metal is $47.25 ex-GST, which covers machine setup and handling.

---

Get Started

All five templates are free, instant, and require nothing except a browser:

• Mounting Plate — flat plate with configurable hole grid
• L-Bracket — right-angle bracket for 90° connections
• Shelf Bracket — triangular shelf support with two styles
• Gusset Plate — structural reinforcement plate
• Sign Blank — rectangular, rounded, or arch-top blank

Browse all templates at /tools/part-templates, or go straight to instant quoting if you already have a DXF or STEP file.