Is it possible to cut Plywood with a CO2 laser?

[TurkishDelight]

I have a 150W laser cutter and somebody has asked me if it was capable of cutting plywood. What are your experiences with laser cutting machines and plywood? Is is possible or is it a no-go? What power is needed for which thickness?

[mondo50m]

Not that this is going to help much. But, I have a 40w laser and am cutting up to 1/4" plywood in one pass. It requires full power and a very slow speed. Plywood is a little difficult for my machine as it depends on how much of the bonding agent is used in the construction of the plywood. But, yes, you can cut plywood.

Milt

[keebler303]

Yes it will cut plywood.
How thick? Depends on the quality you need. Guys making steel rule dies use 400W CO2 lasers to cut 1/2" and 3/4" plywood. They need straight sides. With lower power, you will end up with a tapered cut. Depending on what the cutting is for, it may or may not be acceptable. Just try it and see.

Matt

[RossMosh]

150W I could see you getting through 3/4". Whether the end product will be acceptable and if it's worth the time (I expect the machine to run pretty slowly) will be the real questions.

I'd buy a 1/4 or 1/2 sheet and test it out. It's worth the $30 to gain the knowledge.

[Melody-gweike]

150W can cut plywood. But too thick plywood can not be OK.

[jqlaser31-fancy]

yes, CO2 laser can cut plywood,but for different thickness, the cutting speed is different.

[lrob]

Stay away from exterior type plywoods. The glues make it very difficult. Baltic Birch is one of the best for cutting by laser

[lucylucky]

Hi TurkishDelight,

We had cut 18-20mm 5-layers board by 150W Reci tube with 180W peal power. Yes no problem for 20mm plywood cutting.

Ms. Lucy 0086-18254116182
Jinan Quanxing Mechanical Equipment Co.,Ltd-CNC Router Machine,Woodworking Machine
Jinan Quanxing Mechanical Equipment Co.,Ltd

[Exsecratio]

We had cut 18-20mm 5-layers board by 150W Reci tube with 180W peal power. Yes no problem for 20mm plywood cutting.

Cut yes indeed thats thick ply Lucy, with the greatest of respect though the quality of that edge is terrible. It looks more burnt than actually cut.

best wishes

Dave

[neilw20]

I suppose you can paint it black.

[RossMosh]

It's a heat element that is cutting. It's always going to burn. If you look at the edge, it's also far from straight.

Laser cutting is great for some applications and not so great for others.

[lucylucky]

Dear Dave, for wood cutting by laser, the cutting edges are always black, no matter thick or thin. So some more clients use cnc router for woodworking. If clients accept that effection, they will find way to solve the black part.

Lucy

Cut yes indeed thats thick ply Lucy, with the greatest of respect though the quality of that edge is terrible. It looks more burnt than actually cut.

best wishes

Dave