How to Flatten Bent Plywood for Laser Engraving

Have you ever faced the challenge of working with bent plywood on your laser engraver? Whether due to storage conditions or natural warping, bent plywood can be tricky to handle during engraving or cutting processes. Plywood made from solid wood veneers can warp because of changes in temperature and humidity. Here’s a simple yet effective solution to ensure your plywood stays flat and your laser projects turn out perfect every time.

Here is a picture of bent plywood. It's clear that if we simply place it on the honeycomb panel, it will bulge and cannot lie flat. Therefore, we need to find a way to ensure it lays evenly.

The white plywood in the picture is used to clearly show the effect.

Solution for Dealing with Bent Plywood in Laser Engraving

A common method people use is to soak the bent plywood in water, then press it flat with a heavy object and let it dry. However, the problem with this approach is that the plywood often dries unevenly, which can still affect the engraving results. That's why we recommend an alternative approach using small wooden blocks and screws to secure the plywood and keep it flat on the honeycomb panel.

What you need

• A small piece of wood
• Several screws and nuts

1.Preparation:

Cut the wooden blocks to match the thickness of the screws, ensuring the screws can pass through the blocks. This ensures that the screws can securely hold the blocks in place without protruding excessively or being too loose.

2.Positioning and Securing:

As shown in the picture, place the small wooden blocks on the bent areas of the plywood and secure them with screws and nuts. These wooden blocks provide even support and prevent the plywood from further warping during engraving.

3.Monitoring and Adjustments:

When engraving, continuously monitor the plywood to ensure it remains flat. Adjust the position of the wooden blocks or add more supports if needed to achieve the best results.

Tips:

The thickness of the screws should match the holes in the honeycomb panel to allow for a secure fit.

Ensure the wooden blocks are cut evenly and fit snugly under the bent areas of the plywood to provide the best support.

Advantages of This Method

Stable Support: Using small wooden blocks and screws provides stable and even support, ensuring the plywood stays flat on the honeycomb panel.

Versatility: This method can be adapted for various sizes and types of plywood, making it a flexible solution for different laser engraving projects.

Cost-Effective: Using simple materials like wooden blocks and screws is both economical and practical.

Conclusion

This method effectively solves the problem of bent plywood during laser engraving. It not only improves the quality of the finished projects but also enhances the efficiency of the engraving process. If you're looking for a simple and effective solution for dealing with bent plywood, this method is worth trying.

At Creatorally, we offer premium plywood specifically designed for laser cutting and engraving. Our high-quality wood materials ensure excellent results for all your projects, providing consistent and reliable performance.

For more tips and guides on laser engraving and cutting, check out our other articles:

• How to Remove Burn Marks in Wood Laser Engraving
• How to Choose the Best Wood for Laser Cutting and Engraving Projects

Explore these resources to enhance your laser engraving skills and achieve professional results with ease. Happy engraving!