First of all, you need to determine what purposes you plan to use the selected machine for;
- if we want the plywood to have clear, unburned edges, milling the plywood with a CNC plotter will be a good solution,
- if we intend to make large production runs with high accuracy, it is better to decide to cut plywood with a laser.
Cost – when it comes to operating costs, you need to know that in the case of a CO2 laser, the main cost includes replacing the tube (it should be replaced every 2-3 years). However, in the case of a CNC plotter, it is necessary to replace the cutters quite often because they simply become dull. We also need to know that there are no universal cutters - you need to choose the right cutter depending on the application.
Time – this is a very important criterion, after all, production automation is about processing a large amount of material as quickly as possible. Therefore, cutting plywood with a laser is a much faster and economical method, but not universal enough to replace a CNC plotter in many functionalities.
CNC milling machines are the most popular choice for processing plywood. They enable both cutting and milling plywood in various shapes and sizes. Depending on the specificity and production needs, you can choose a machine with different power and work table size. The most common choice of PG CNC customers is the 2030 Special milling plotter. Why? – because it is the most universal device that even in its basic version has advanced functions. It is perfect for processing wood and wood-based materials. In the furniture industry, a plotter can be used for cutting, engraving, milling, cutting, drilling and 3D processing.
CNC laser devices use a laser beam to cut or engrave plywood. They are ideal for precise work, such as creating decorative details or cutting out complex shapes. The downside, however, is the inefficiency of the laser at greater material thickness. A laser worth recommending is the CO2 1490 milling plotter, due to its very precise, accurate and fast operation. He can make complex patterns, details and is excellent in both small-scale production and personalization, as well as prototyping.
Companies offering custom-made plywood cutting services often wonder whether it is better to purchase a CO2 laser or to cut plywood using a CNC milling machine.
The CO2 laser is a device that uses a thermal beam, ensuring accuracy and repeatability of cutting. The guide mechanism in a CO2 laser jigsaw is similar to that in CNC plotters - the difference lies in the cutting process itself: instead of mechanical contact, a thermal beam is used, which converts energy into heat, precisely cutting the material. The laser beam is extremely thin, usually about 0.2 mm, which allows for very precise and complex patterns. The advantages of this technology are the lack of sawdust, the ability to make right angles and very accurate and repeatable cuts. Disadvantages include dark discoloration visible on light plywood and smoke associated with the cutting process.
In turn, a CNC plywood milling machine is a machine that uses rapidly rotating cutters to cut plywood. The advantage of this technology is undoubtedly the lack of burnt edges and the ability to cut thicker plywood than with a CO2 laser. However, the disadvantages include considerable noise caused by the operation of the milling machine, sawdust, greater material losses and greater inaccuracy.
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