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.
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.
C/D (Construction Ply – Cheap, rough and ready. Knotty and less stable/prone to warping. Great as substrate.
B/C Ply – Still 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.
Hardwood Veneer – Birch core with solid hardwood 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.
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).
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/
MDF – Cheap and stable. Heavy relative to plywood.
MRMDF – 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-face 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 (benefits from substrate).
Black Melamine – Less common than white.
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/
HDPE – Many colours available, various textures. Recycled HDPE is taking off ATM, worth looking into.
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.
Moulding Jig – Shatterproof and lightweight.
Polycarb – Lightweight, colourful and strong.
