Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood-based sheet material composed by bonding wood fibres with a resin adhesive. MDF may be machined and finished to a high degree of quality and is incredibly versatile. As a result, MDF has taken the role of solid wood in many industrial applications as an affordable material.
Laser Cutting MDF
| Our supply | Stock / special order material |
|---|---|
| Thickness | Available in 2mm, 3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm |
| Sheet sizes | up to 3050 x 1525mm |
| Your supply | You can also supply your own MDF up to 18mm in thickness |
| Our Laser | Our laser bed sizes vary with our largest size being 1300 x 900mm |
MDF Material Properties
Many of MDF's characteristics make it an excellent substitute for plywood or particle board. The material is easily machined, dense, flat, sturdy, and free of knots. It is made up of small particles and offers dimensional stability in the absence of a prominent grain, unlike other wood materials. MDF has a high heat tolerance which makes it perfect for use with laer cuttting.
Laser Cutting MDF
The top surface is kept as free of flames, scorching, and charring as possible by using compressed air, which consistently blows towards the cut. This produces an almost flawless outcome, but occasionally there will be faint traces, especially where the laser first penetrates the material at the beginning of a closed vector shape (laser tails). We can sand these with a fine grit wet and dry paper to get rid of them. There are several brands of MDF which can be laser cut, we typically like to use Medite Premier MDF as this leaves a cleaner edge after cutting.
Laser Cutting Residue
As MDF is mostly used for structural applications and prototyping, we do not typically add a protective backing on the back. (Since most individuals finish or spray after using, burn marks are typically not a problem.) Remains on the laser bed transfer back onto the material owing to heat from the laser along with ejected resins from the material. We can however mask the material to prevent this if it's of importance.
Please indicate with your enquiry if you wish to minimise marking to the back of the material.
Laser Cut MDF Edges
Standard MDF when cut leaves a brown / black edge which darkens further the thicker the material is. When the edge touches the surface of another substance, it may be oily and occasionally leave marks.This is why we typically like to use Medite Premier MDF as this leaves a cleaner edge after cutting.
Laser Engraving MDF
MDF engraves clearly and with a coloration that is somewhat orange-brown. We usually start with a light surface scratch, primarily for aesthetic reasons but the engrave depth is usually adjusted to best suit the image.
Other Considerations
We can pre-paint panels prior to laser cutting them, please specify this when sending your enquiry.
