Plywood is a versatile and durable material that can be used for making various products and items, such as furniture, jewelry, decorative items, and more. If you have the skills and tools to cut and engrave plywood, you can create a wide range of products for your inventory.
But how do you cut and engrave plywood with precision and quality? What kind of plywood should you use? What kind of machine do you need? In this comprehensive guide on laser cutting plywood, we will answer all these questions and more. We will also help you choose the best plywood and the right machine for plywood laser cutting with perfection.
Can You Laser Cut Plywood?
Yes. Plywood can be easily cut using a laser cutter, which is the reason it is mostly preferred for cutting as well as engraving. Furniture makers, artists, decorators, business owners, and professionals use laser cutters to cut plywood because it offers precision and fine results in minimal time.
What is Plywood?
Plywood is an engineered wood that consists of thin layers of wood veneer. These layers are glued together in alternating grain directions. The thickness of each layer can vary from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, depending on the requirement. The layers are stacked until the desired thickness is reached.
Thus, plywood is not harder than solid wood. Most of the time, solid wood is harder or sometimes equally hard. It means if a laser cutter cut solid wood of a particular type, it can also cut its plywood.
How Plywood Laser Cutting Works?
Laser cutting is a technique that uses a high-energy laser beam to cut through materials with precision and speed.
The process of laser cutting plywood involves focusing the laser beam on the surface of the plywood and moving it along the desired path, which is controlled by computer. The laser beam heats up and vaporizes the wood material along the cut line, cutting the plywood into desired shape.
In addition, laser cutters can also engrave intricate designs and patterns on plywood with fine details.
What Laser Should You Use to Cut Plywood?
To laser cut plywood, you need a suitable type of laser. You can only use a diode laser or CO2 laser to cut and engrave wood and plywood. Fiber laser cutters are mainly designed for cutting metals, and they are not recommended for cutting plywood. Fiber lasers are too powerful and can cause the plywood to catch fire. Moreover, fiber lasers create poor marks on wood that are not readable or aesthetically pleasing.
How Thick of Plywood Can a Laser Cutter Cut?
The thickness of plywood that a laser cutter can cut depends on the type of laser and the power of the laser. Let's understand these variables.
As far as the type of laser is concerned, CO2 lasers are quite powerful. They can cut plywood easily. Therefore, CO2 lasers are preferred for this task. However, diode lasers are also excellent, and due to new technologies, they can do a better job than traditional diode lasers. The most important thing about diode lasers is that they have a longer life compared to CO2.
The power of the laser plays a very important role. The higher the power, the more easily it can cut wood or other materials.
By power, we mean the laser optical/output power. You might see various power ratings listed in the specification. The machine power represents the power consumed by the machine.
The laser module also has two powers; one is the laser optical/output power, and the other is the laser electrical power. You need to see the optical/output while selecting a laser engraving or cutting machine.
The DIY laser engraving and cutting machines available on the market can cut plywood up to 15mm in one pass. CO2 lasers of around 40W can cut 10-15mm basswood, and diode lasers can cut 3-10mm basswood in one pass, depending on the optical/output power. For example, the xTool D1 Pro (20w) can cut 10mm basswood in one pass.
If the laser machine cannot cut the plywood in one pass, it will take one or two more passes. But several passes mean the machine will take more time, which will reduce productivity.
5 Simple Plywood Projects to Make with a Laser Cutter
With a laser cutter, you can transform plywood into amazing creations that showcase your creativity and skills. In this section, we will show you five simple plywood projects that you can make with a laser cutter. These projects are easy to follow and suitable for beginners and experts alike. Whether you want to make something for yourself or as a gift, these projects will inspire you to explore the possibilities of plywood laser cutting.
Wooden Wall Clock
Source: by 1LasercutFile via Etsy
Nothing beats a handmade wall clock to add some charm and personality to your home. With a laser cutter, you can turn a piece of plywood into a beautiful clock face that reflects your style and taste. Whether you prefer a simple or intricate design, a round or square shape, a natural or colorful finish, you can make it happen with a laser cutter. All you need is a clock mechanism and some hardware to hang it on the wall.
Wood Wall Art
source: by Maker Design Lab via instructables
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your walls, why not try making your own wood wall art with a laser cutter? You can cut out any shape or design you like from plywood and create a stunning piece of art that will impress your guests. You can also add some depth and dimension by stacking different layers of plywood together. Just glue them together and attach some hooks or hangers on the back.
Wooden Door Hanger
source: by JLeighDesignco via Etsy
A door hanger is a fun and easy way to decorate your door for the holidays. With a laser cutter, you can cut out any shape you want from plywood and paint it with festive colors. You can also add some text or embellishments to make it more personal and inviting. For example, you can make a snowman, a gingerbread man, a reindeer, or a Christmas tree door hanger and add some ribbon, bells, or ornaments to make it sparkle.
Christmas Ornaments
A Christmas ornament is a special and meaningful gift that you can make for yourself or someone else. With a laser cutter, you can cut out any shape you want from plywood and engrave it with