Materials
we cut
Plywood is a modern wonder. And being in panel form makes it the perfect material for CNC routing/milling/machining. Take a look at our instagram for examples of what’s possible with a 3-axis CNC and some plywood. YouTube is another great resource.
We’ve got some YT vids below to get you started.
SUPPLIERS 🪵
The BORD website is a great guide for pricing and availability in Melbourne. They’re very reliable and regularly deliver to us.
Bord Products
MELBOURNE WOOD PANELS is also worth considering for industry standard panels. Great on price, quick delivery.
Melbourne Wood Panels
Submit your job to be quoted and get a fixed price and delivery date.
C/D PLY
Cheap and rough. Knotty and less stable/prone to warping.
B/C PLY
Cheap and fewer knots than C/D. B face presentable but not guaranteed.
BIRCH PLY
Stable with an attractive grain and creamy colouring. Takes finishes well.
Timber VENEER
Birch core with solid timber veneer. The best of both worlds.
WHITE FILM FACE
No painting or oiling required (notwith-standing the cut profile).
FORMPLY
Good value option for utilitarian projects. Low maintenance results.
Be Humble
As well as being economical, composites, such as MDF, have great properties for CNC machining. Not having a grain pattern simplifies nesting / part orientation. Cut parts have good stability if properly treated (painted etc). And material thickness is reliably close to what’s on the label (nominal).
SUPPLIERS
MELBOURNE WOOD PANELS has great prices on composite panels. Phone them for pricing and inventory.
melbournewoodpanels.com.au
If MWP don’t have it BORD will.
https://www.bord.com.au/
Submit your job to be quoted and get a fixed price and delivery date.
MDF
Cheap and stable. Heavy relative to plywood.
MR MDF
Moisture resistant MDF. For wet areas indoors – typically bathrooms and kitchens.
FILM FACE MDF
Minimise finishing with a film face. Paint that spills onto the face while painting the edge won’t adhere to the film face – for a low-fuss clean result.
WHITE FILM MDF
Available in white as well as other colours. A hardy finish that saves on labour.
MELAMINE
Lightweight alternative to MDF. Various textures available. Low cost, low tensile strength.
BLACK MELAMINE
Less common than white.
PLASTIC CNC-TASTIC
Different plastics can look the same at first glance. But different plastics have different properties. ChatGPT is your friend.
Local Suppliers
Our suggestion for where to find pricing and availability:
JYCA Workshop
These guys can help you find what you need.
https://jycaplastics.com.au/
Submit your job to be quoted and get a fixed price and delivery date.
HDPE
Many colours available, various textures. Recycled HDPE is taking off ATM, worth looking into.
POLY-CARBONATE
Lightweight, colourful and strong.
ACRYLIC
Available in solid, clear and translucent, as pictured here. A popular substitute for glass.
MIRRORED
Shatterproof and lightweight.
MOULDED ACRYLIC
Can be achieved with a CNC machined mould.
MOULD
Reshape flat panels.
Solid timber is beautiful. So we’ve made a special effort to overcome the challenges presented by CNC routing solid planks.
Laminating boards, resulting in a panel, is one strategy. But there are others. Talk to us about what strategy best fits your job.
Recommended Supplier
Submit your job to be quoted and get a fixed price and delivery date.
VIC ASH
Get to know Aussie hardwoods. Vic Ash / Plantation Ash is the best place to start.
3D MILLING
Controlled shaping of solid timber blocks. Often resulting in striking grain patterns.
AMERICAN OAK
A highly workable timber. Attractive and available for a reasonable price. Possibly the most popular for furniture making in Australia. Seek Ash for a pale alternative.
PINE
Beautiful results can be achieved with humble pine when approached in a considered way.
CUT AND GLUED
Joins are easily achieved with the aid of biscuits. Yummy.
LAMINATED PANEL
Laminated boards result in panels. Serpentine profiles reveal grain. An outcome that won’t be apparent in most CAD.
Non-Ferrous Metals
Our CNC Router can machine aluminium composites, typically Alucabond. Our neighbour – under the same roof – can machine a range of metals including aluminium and steel. Everybody needs good neighbours. We can connect you with him by request.
Submit your job to be quoted and get a fixed price and delivery date.
ALUCABOND
Weather resistant. Low maintenance. A common cladding.
WATER JET
For steel and stone water-jet cutting is a good option. Aztech say they “only cut everything”. So they can probably handle your material.