Thread: cnc router or laser cutter

Get it done on a CNC router. Mdf is wood and wood burns, this is what the laser will do to mdf.

Laser cutting leaves a burn mark where its cut the MDF

https://www.google.com.au/search?tbm....0.0Ba5l0RhNvM

If you're looking to build/buy a machine to do this I would assume the largest laser (CO2) wouldn't be able to cut 16mm MDF, someone feel free to correct me if those larger 150W lasers have enough power but I wouldn't think so.


A cnc router will also allow for 3D artwork (If building/buying a machine)

You can cut 16mm MDF with a laser; but as everybody will tell you, you will get a burnt edge. This is compensated for in part by the speed and accuracy of the laser coupled with the ease of no clamping.

If this is OK for you, then have a look at this machine (the first one I googled for).

Routers can do the same thing but with a more noise and dust, a larger kerf, but usually no smoke.

Laser on wood especially mdf makes a lot of smoke, we have a 60 watt unit and it would be pushing to cut through that, really it would take about 6 passes to make it happen