Detailed introduction of plywood laser cutting
Laser cutting plywood is a popular and efficient way of manufacturing a variety of products and items such as furniture, home furnishings, craft jewelry, decorations, toys, and more. Plywood is an engineered wood consisting of thin layers of wood veneer glued together in alternating grain directions. This makes it durable and versatile for different applications.
However, not all plywood is suitable for laser cutting. You need to choose the right type of plywood that can be easily cut and engraved with a laser machine without causing damage or catching fire. You'll also want to choose the right type of laser machine that can handle the thickness and density of the plywood, such as Glowforge, XTool, etc.
In this blog post, we'll guide you through the basics of laser cutting plywood, including types of plywood and laser machines, the pros and cons of laser cutting plywood, and some tips and tricks for getting the best results. We will also introduce you to the global supplier source of high quality laser cut plywood products: http://www.lasercutplywood.com/.
Types of Laser Cut Plywood
Plywood is divided into different grades according to the quality and appearance of the wood veneer. The grades range from A to D, with A being the highest quality and D being the lowest. The grade also indicates the number and size of defects such as knots, cracks, cracks, etc.
For laser-cut plywood, low-grade plywood (C or D) should be avoided as they have more defects and interply gaps that can lead to irregular cuts and burns. Low-grade plywood also contains more glue and resin, which emit toxic fumes when heated by a laser beam.
The best type of plywood for laser cutting is premium plywood (A or B) because they have fewer defects and a smoother surface that produces clean, precise cuts and engravings. High-grade plywood also contains less glue and resin, which reduces the risk of fire and smoke.
Some examples of high-grade plywood suitable for laser cutting are:
- Baltic Birch Plywood: This is a high-quality plywood made from thin layers of birch wood. It has a smooth surface and uniform thickness, making it ideal for laser cutting. It also has a light color and fine grain to enhance contrast and visibility of laser engraving.
- Basswood Plywood: This is another quality plywood made from thin plies of basswood. It has a smooth surface and consistent thickness, making it easy to cut and engrave with a laser machine. It also has a light color and fine grain, making for beautiful laser engravings.
- MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): This is an engineered wood made from wood fibers mixed with wax and resin. It has a smooth surface and uniform density, making it suitable for laser cutting. It also has a dark brown color that contrasts nicely with the lighter colors of the laser engraving.
Types of Laser Machines for Cutting Plywood
Laser machines are divided into different types according to the source of the laser beam. The most common types of laser machines used to cut plywood are:
- CO2 laser machines: These are powerful laser machines that use a gas mixture (mainly carbon dioxide) as the source of the laser beam. They can cut thick and dense materials such as wood, acrylic, leather and more. They can also carve intricate designs and patterns on a variety of materials with fine detail.
- Diode laser machines: These are less powerful but more affordable laser machines that use semiconductor diodes as the source of the laser beam. They can cut thin and lightweight materials such as paper, cardboard, fabric and more. They can also engrave simple patterns and characters on various materials with good quality.
The thickness of plywood that a laser machine can cut depends on the power and speed of the laser beam. In general, CO2 lasers can cut thicker plywood than diode lasers because they have higher power and faster speed. However, diode lasers can also cut thin plywood with good results if they have sufficient power and speed.
The table below shows some examples of how thick plywood can be cut with different types of laser machines:
| Laser Type | Power | Speed | Thickness |
|--------------------|--------|--------|--------- -- |
| CO2 laser | 40W | 10 mm/s | 6 mm |
| CO2 laser | 80W | 20 mm/s | 12 mm |
| Diode Laser | 5W | 5mm/s | 1mm |
| Diode laser machine | 10W
Hope the above information is helpful to you.
