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CNC Routing MDF & Plywood — grades, grooves & pattern work

MDF and plywood routing is the trade workhorse — cabinetry parts, signage backers, props, shop-fit panels, and anything else that needs a clean machined sheet-goods cut.

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Standard capability

CNC Routing MDF & Plywood
Process
CNC routing
Machines
Avid CNC · Multicam SR3012V
Materials
MDF · Plywood
Stocked thicknesses
MDF 3–25 mm · Plywood 3–24 mm
Max sheet size
3000 × 1220 mm
Max cut thickness
50 mm
Standard cut tolerance
±0.2 mm

Job-specific details — yield, edge finish and lead time — are confirmed when we quote your file.

Cutting on the Gold Coast? MDF CNC routing — Gold Coast →

Materials

Industries

Browse the confirmed material list →

CNC Routing MDF & Plywood

MDF and plywood are the most-machined materials in our workshop, in the same way they're the most-used sheet goods in any builder's yard. Cabinet makers send us flat-pack carcass parts. Shopfitters send us shopfront backers and counter detail. Sign shops send us routed-letter backers. Prop and exhibition builders send us everything.

MDF cuts cleanest of the sheet goods — uniform density, predictable edge, takes paint and lacquer well. We see it in cabinetry doors, painted signage panels, jigs, props, fixture mock-ups, and the inside structure of upholstered furniture. The downside is dust and weight; the upside is finish quality and price.

Plywood adds strength and a visible grain face. Marine and exterior ply for outdoor signage and marine fit-out; standard interior ply for shop joinery, furniture and rustic signage. Both route well; name the grade you want or tell us the end use and we'll suggest. Voids in cheap builders' ply will catch out a clean cut — premium grades are worth the small extra cost for visible work.

For cabinet runs, send a cut sheet with quantities and we'll batch. For one-offs, send the file and we'll quote against the bed. We can route grooves, dadoes and shallow pockets in the same setup as the through-cuts — list them in your file with separate layers for each operation.

Good for

  • Cabinetry parts, doors, draw fronts, kicker rails
  • Shop-fit and counter panels, fixture mock-ups
  • Signage backers, painted faces, dimensional letter substrates
  • Props, exhibition pieces, theatre set work
  • Multi-operation jobs: cuts, grooves, pockets and dadoes in one setup

Not for

  • Outdoor unprotected MDF — it swells when wet, use marine ply instead
  • Food-contact surfaces (no commercial-food-grade finish certification)
  • Where weight is the constraint — MDF is heavier than ply at the same thickness

CNC Routing MDF & Plywood — common questions

Standard or marine grade — which should I order?
Standard interior ply for indoor furniture and cabinetry. Marine ply for outdoor signage, marine fit-out, or anywhere the part will see moisture. Marine ply is more expensive and uses waterproof glue rather than urea-formaldehyde.
Can you do grooves and pockets, not just through-cuts?
Yes — separate operations on separate layers in your file (e.g. CUT, POCKET-5MM, GROOVE-3MM) and we'll machine them in sequence. Tell us the target depth on each.
What file types can I send?
DXF is the cleanest — that's a single-line vector format the cutter reads directly. AI, SVG, PDF, EPS and DWG all work too. If you've only got a JPG or a sketch on paper, send it anyway and we'll tidy it for you (small file-prep charge applies).
How should I prepare a DXF?
Outlines only, no fills. One closed path per cut. Different operations (cut, engrave, drill) on different layers so we know what gets which tool. Convert text to outlines before exporting so we don't have to chase the same font. If anything's ambiguous, write it in the file name or add a note in the quote request.
How quick is a quote?
Most quote requests reviewed within 1 business day. Simple trade jobs may be quoted faster during business hours (Mon–Fri 8am–4pm AEST). Complex, review-required, or unusual jobs may take longer. We'll tell you up front if so.
Can I pick up or do you deliver?
Both. Pickup is from Helensvale by appointment — we'll send the address when your job is ready. Local delivery covers the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Logan and Tweed Heads, quoted per job. Freight elsewhere in Australia on request.

Related

File-prep rules · How to prepare your artwork for cutting

Ready to quote cnc routing mdf & plywood?

Quote back, usually within 1 business day. No card needed.

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