LASER CUTTING WOOD – WHICH THICKNESS?

During laser cutting, the laser beam heats a small surface with extreme precision. This allows the laser to be used to cut wood by melting or burning it. During laser cutting, the laser light is brought to the cutting head of the laser via mirrors.

The demand for laser cutting comes from both the private and business market. In the business market, demand mainly comes from the furniture industry, yacht building, interior design, model building and model building.

View below to what thickness certain types of wood can be cut with our laser machines.

Hardwood – Thickness Lasering or Engraving

Hardwood is very suitable for engraving. In addition, hardwood up to a thickness of 8 mm can also be lasered very well.

HARDWOOD LASER CUTTING

Hardwood generally refers to the wood of deciduous trees. The term hardwood does not automatically say anything about the hardness or durability of the wood. In practice, however, the term is used for the harder and more durable types of wood. Woodlaser is specialized in processing hardwood materials. We do this by means of laser cutting and laser engraving.

Laser cutting & engraving of hardwoods such as Solid Oak and Acia

High-quality wood can be laser cut in different thicknesses. There are several solid woods that we can cut. The thickness depends on the type of wood.

Why laser cut or engrave hardwood?

Laser cutting and laser engraving of hardwood bring many advantages. For example, it is possible to laser engrave high-resolution images and reliefs. In addition, both laser engraving and laser cutting of wood are very fast and extremely accurate. Accurate laser cutting of motifs is therefore no problem at all. Other advantages of laser cutting and laser engraving of wood are:

  • Laser cutting is possible with virtually radius-free contours. (0.1 millimeters).
  • The laser cutting is contactless. This reduces the chance of breaks and cutting errors.
  • Splinter-free cutting edges, eliminating the need for post-processing.
  • You have little loss of material during laser cutting.
  • Laser cutting and laser engraving is fast and efficient.

MDF – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

MDF is very suitable for engraving. In addition, MDF up to a thickness of 15 mm can also be lasered very well.

MDF LASER CUTTING

MDF is pressed board with a medium density. The wood fibers are dried and bonded together by means of resins. MDF can be easily processed by means of laser cutting or laser engraving.

High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) is a higher quality MDF in which the fibers are pressed more strongly into a board with a higher density. Do you want to edit HDF? Then take a look at our “ HDF laser cutting ” page.

Laser cutting & engraving of MDF

MDF is very suitable for engraving. In addition, MDF up to a thickness of 15 mm can also be lasered very well.

Why laser/engrave MDF?

  • Laser cutting of extremely fine, almost radius-free contours possible (0.1 mm)
  • High degree of precision and repeatability in the laser cutting of MDF.
  • Precise laser cutting of motifs
  • Less breakage and cutting errors, because laser cutting is contactless
  • Splinter-free cutting edges – no post-processing required
  • Little material loss
  • Quick and efficient
  • Shatter-free sides

Birch Plywood – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

Birch is very suitable for engraving. In addition, Birch plywood up to a thickness of 9 millimeters can also be lasered very well.

BIRCH PLYWOOD LASER CUTTING

Birch plywood is a collective name for the wood supplied by tree species of the genus Birch. In the Netherlands and Belgium Birch plywood is mainly known as wood that comes from the rough and soft birch. This type of wood was imported from Scandinavia, i.e. the Baltic region and Russia. At Woodlaser we can process Birch by means of laser cutting or laser engraving.

Birch laser cutting & engraving

Birch plywood or Birch is very suitable for laser engraving. In addition to laser engraving, birch can also be laser cut very well. This is possible up to a maximum thickness of 9 millimeters.

Why laser cut or engrave Birch wood?

The laser cutting and laser engraving of Berken brings many advantages. Laser cutting is not only extremely accurate, but it is also fast and efficient. As a result, there is little loss of material after processing. Laser cutting of wood is therefore more sustainable than other processing methods. In addition, you have less chance of breakage and cutting errors during laser cutting. This is because the laser cutting is contactless. However, these are not the only advantages. That is why we have listed a number of advantages of laser cutting and laser engraving of wood for you below:

  • Extremely fine and almost radius-free contours are possible during laser cutting
  • Laser engraving of high-resolution images and reliefs is possible
  • Motifs are precisely laser cut
  • Splinter-free cutting edges
  • No post-processing required

Poplar Plywood – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

Plywood is very suitable for engraving. In addition, multiplex up to a thickness of 18 mm can also be lasered very well.

POPLAR PLYWOOD LASER CUTTING 

Poplar Multiplex and plywood are plate-shaped composite materials that are made up of an odd number of wood veneer layers that are glued together crosswise. Originally, the name Triplex was only used for boards with three layers. Plywood, on the other hand, was used for the designation of boards with five or more layers. Do you want to edit plywood? 

Laser cutting & engraving of Poplar Plywood

Poplar Plywood is very suitable for engraving. Poplar Multiplex up to a thickness of 18 mm can also be lasered very well.

Why Laser or Engrave Multiplex?

  • Laser cutting of extremely fine, almost radius-free contours possible (0.1 mm)
  • Chip-free cutting edges when laser cutting thick plywood
  • Highest precision in laser cutting of plywood
  • Lettering by means of laser engravings
  • Less breakage and cutting errors, because laser cutting is contactless
  • Splinter-free cutting edges – no post-processing required
  • Little material loss
  • Quick and efficient

Hardwood plywood/plywood – Cutting thickness with a laser or Engraving

Plywood is very suitable for engraving. In addition, plywood can also be lasered up to a thickness of 5.5 mm.

HARDWOOD PLYWOOD LASER CUTTING

Plywood and plywood are plate-shaped composite materials that are made up of an odd number of wood veneer layers that are glued together crosswise. Originally, the name Triplex was only used for boards with three layers. While Multiplex was named for the boards with five or more layers. Do you want to edit Multiplex? 

Laser cutting & engraving of Plywood

Plywood is very suitable for engraving. Plywood can also be cut with a laser up to a thickness of 5.5 mm.

Why Plywood Laser cutting or engraving?

  • Laser cutting of extremely fine, almost radius-free contours possible (0.1 mm)
  • Chip-free cutting edges when laser cutting thick plywood
  • Highest precision when laser cutting plywood
  • Lettering by means of laser engravings
  • Less breakage and cutting errors, because laser cutting is contactless
  • Splinter-free cutting edges – no post-processing required
  • Little material loss
  • Quick and efficient

Bamboo – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

Bamboo can be lasered up to a thickness of 15 millimeters. Engraving is also possible and provides contrasting, dark lines.

BAMBOO LASER CUTTING

Bamboo is the name for a number of plant species that form a genus of grasses. The length of the bamboo trunk can vary from a few centimeters to more than 30 meters. The diameter of the trunk also varies. For example, the trunk can be only a few millimeters to more than 25 centimeters thick. The giant bamboo is the largest of all bamboo species. This bamboo can grow up to 35 meters high and have stems of 30 centimeters thick.

Laser cutting & engraving of Bamboo

Bamboo can be laser cut up to a thickness of 10 millimeters . Laser engraving is also possible and provides high-contrast, dark lines.

WHY BAMBOO LASER CUTTING OR LASER ENGRAVING?

  • Possibility of laser cutting extremely fine and almost radius-free contours.
  • When engraving Bamboo, beautiful, dark and contrasting lines are created.
  • The laser cutting of Bamboo is done with extreme precision.
  • The laser cutting is done without contact. This reduces the chance of breakage and cutting errors.
  • You have little loss of material during laser cutting or engraving.
  • Laser cutting and laser engraving of Bamboo is fast and efficient.
  • Sustainable production.

Veneer – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

Veneer can be engraved and lasering is also suitable for all thicknesses. 

VENEER LASER CUTTING

Veneer is the ultimate expression of wood . Wood veneer is a thin layer of wood that is cut from a log. A different process than the manufacture of solid wood. Solid wood is sawn from a log, so there is more loss than when manufacturing wood veneer. At Woodlaser we process Veneer by means of laser cutting or laser engraving. Read more about the advantages of laser cutting and engraving of Veneer below.

Laser cutting & engraving of veneer wood

Veneer is excellent for engraving and lasering is also suitable in almost all thicknesses.

Why laser cutting or engraving Veneer?

  • High-resolution laser engraving of images and reliefs possible
  • Precise laser cutting of veneer inlays
  • Delicate cutting edges without damaging the material
  • Fewer breakage and cutting errors, because laser cutting is contactless
  • Low material loss
  • Quick and efficient

Balsa Wood – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

Balsa wood can be engraved and lasering is also suitable up to a thickness of 15 mm.

BALSAWOOD LASER CUTTING

Balsa wood is the lightest type of wood available on the market. The specific gravity of balsa wood is 40 to 300 kilos with a moisture content of 12%. Balsa wood is one of the most commonly used materials in model building. Mainly because the weight is low and the mechanical load capacity is high. This makes balsa wood very suitable for building model airplanes, among other things. Such model airplanes can be made by laser cutting Balsa wood.

Laser cutting & engraving of Balsa wood

Balsa wood is excellent for engraving and laser cutting of Balsa wood is also possible up to a thickness of 6 mm.

Why laser/engrave Balsa wood?

  • Due to the low weight, very suitable for model building
  • High-resolution laser engraving of images and reliefs possible.
  • Delicate cutting edges without damaging the material
  • Fewer breakage and cutting errors, because laser cutting is contactless
  • Low material loss
  • Quick and efficient

Cork – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

Cork is very suitable for engraving. In addition, cork up to a thickness of 3 millimeters can also be lasered very well. 

CORK LASER CUTTING

At Woodlaser you can laser cut , mill and engrave cork . Cork is made from the bark of the tree. Removing the bark is a craft that has been passed down from generation to generation over the centuries. After harvesting, the cork is boiled. Boiling purifies the cork, making it more elastic and reaching a greater density. Woodlaser specializes in lasering and engraving cork.

Laser cutting, milling & engraving of cork

Cork is very suitable for engraving. In addition, cork up to a thickness of 3 millimeters can also be lasered very well. Milling is an option for processing cork thicker than 3 millimeters.

Cork laser cutting

Cork milling

Why laser / engrave cork?

  • Laser cutting of extremely fine, virtually radius-free contours possible
  • Laser cutting and engraving in one pass
  • Delicate cutting edges without damaging the material
  • Fewer breakage and cutting errors, because laser cutting is contactless
  • Splinter-free cutting edges – no post-processing required
  • High-contrast laser engravings in high resolution
  • Quick and efficient

HDF – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

HDF is very suitable for engraving. In addition, HDF can also be lasered up to a thickness of 12 millimeters. 

HDF LASER CUTTING

HDF is the abbreviation of High Density Fibreboard and is a further developed form of MDF. Like MDF, HDF is not a brand name, but a generic name. HDF has improved properties compared to MDF. The density of HDF is higher than MDF, namely 700 to 800 kg/m3. 

Laser cutting & engraving of HDF

HDF is very suitable for engraving . In addition, HDF can also be lasered up to a thickness of 12 millimeters.

Why HDF Laser/engraving?

  • Laser cutting of extremely fine, virtually radius-free contours possible (0.1 millimetres)
  • High precision and repeatability in HDF laser cutting
  • Precise laser cutting of motifs
  • Fewer breakage and cutting errors, because laser cutting is contactless
  • Splinter-free cutting edges – no post-processing required
  • Little material loss
  • Quick and efficient

Chipboard – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

Chipboard is suitable for engraving. In addition, chipboard up to a thickness of 8 mm can also be lasered. 

CHIPBOARD LASER CUTTING

Particle board is made from sawdust, wood chips and a binding agent, usually a synthetic resin. Chipboard parts are widely used in, for example, the furniture industry.

Laser cutting & engraving of chipboard

Chipboard is very suitable for engraving. In addition, chipboard up to a thickness of 8 mm can also be lasered very well.

Why laser/engrave chipboard?

  • Laser cutting of extremely fine, almost radius-free contours possible (0.1 mm)
  • High degree of precision and repeatability when laser cutting chipboard.
  • Precise laser cutting of motifs
  • Less breakage and cutting errors, because laser cutting is contactless
  • Splinter-free cutting edges – no post-processing required
  • Little material loss
  • Quick and efficient

High Quality Wood – Thickness Laser Cutting or Engraving

High-quality wood can be lasered in different thicknesses. There are several solid woods that we can cut. The thickness depends on the type of wood. For example, we can cut solid oak up to 15mm and acacia up to 18mm.

HARDWOOD LASER CUTTING

Hardwood generally refers to the wood of deciduous trees. The term hardwood does not automatically say anything about the hardness or durability of the wood. In practice, however, the term is used for the harder and more durable types of wood. Woodlaser is specialized in processing hardwood materials. We do this by means of laser cutting and laser engraving.

Laser cutting & engraving of hardwoods such as Solid Oak and Acia

High-quality wood can be laser cut in different thicknesses. There are several solid woods that we can cut. The thickness depends on the type of wood.

Why laser cut or engrave hardwood?

Laser cutting and laser engraving of hardwood bring many advantages. For example, it is possible to laser engrave high-resolution images and reliefs. In addition, both laser engraving and laser cutting of wood are very fast and extremely accurate. Accurate laser cutting of motifs is therefore no problem at all. Other advantages of laser cutting and laser engraving of wood are:

  • Laser cutting is possible with virtually radius-free contours. (0.1 millimeters).
  • The laser cutting is contactless. This reduces the chance of breaks and cutting errors.
  • Splinter-free cutting edges, eliminating the need for post-processing.
  • You have little loss of material during laser cutting.
  • Laser cutting and laser engraving is fast and efficient.

What are the best tips for laser cutting wood?

Laser cutting of wood is a method of using a high-powered laser to vaporize or burn away material to create designs for decorative furniture. Originally an industrial process used on metal sheets and pipes, this process has extended to craftsmen and schools in the creative manipulation of many artificial and natural, hard and soft materials. While the process is guided by automated movements and computer-aided design (CAD) software, experiencing woodcarving requires experience and experimentation, familiarity with materials, and technical knowledge.

Laser-cutting wood draws material with concentrated beams the thickness of a human hair and relies on the elements of speed and strength to vary the cut. By reducing speed and increasing power, an operator can make a cut by increasing the laser contact time with the wood. Reduction of force and extension of speed create the shallower etchings used in shading and shapes on the surface of the wood. Experiments and experience allow operators to hone their techniques across different wood species and wood thicknesses. As with other arts, improving the technique takes practice and the acquisition of detailed knowledge.

Keep in mind that dry, light wood is easier to cut than dense, damp wood. Lasers also vary by power, polarization, mode and control. Laser cutting of wood requires careful control over the feed rate; even the type of gas used to clear the path of the laser affects the cut quality. Remember that differences between computer and reality result in variance in the laser cutting dimensions; beam notch, or the width of the hole, may appear slightly larger than drawn, while solids may appear fractionally thinner than planned. Thin lines can disappear in the etching and thin wood can warp or break under the heat of the laser.

On most laser engravers, lasers reflect angled mirrors until they are pointed at the surface of the material being cut. Once the angle is established, the laser then travels through the focusing lens as a narrow beam for smooth lines that intersect vectors or etch shadows and gradations. Etching allows the operator to aim the laser directly at the surface. However, cutting produces a slight angle that becomes more noticeable depending on the thickness of the wood. Carefully plan and move points of interest to avoid such pitfalls before they occur.

For more difficult designs, operators on many machines can use “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) software to create artistic renderings with stunning detail. Software comes in varying degrees of difficulty, from user-friendly to the endless learning curve of professional suites. Materials can extend to natural, plastic, ceramic, stone, glass and metals, but not vinyl, Lexan or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as these contain chlorine which can damage the laser mechanism. Laser cutting of wood enables extensive design discoveries in a material people thought they knew.