Cutting Techniques for
Material Flexibility

By cutting a 'bending cut geometry', otherwise known as a kerf cut, rigid sheet materials including wood and acrylic can be bent. There are many different shapes and geometries that result in differing flexural behaviour. We at Trotec decided to test different materials, including wood and acrylic (3 - 5mm), to see how effective this technique would be. Here, you can find all the appropriate graphic templates ready for downloading.

Straight cutting lines will form a sturdy, stable radius. The further apart the cuts are, the larger the bending radius will be. Depending on the graphic and material you are using, a distance of up to .5mm between each line can be selected. It’s a good, simple technique.

These tiny waves are all interconnected and make the material look extremely flexible. The cutting technique is suitable for materials that are 3mm thick or less. The bending radius is very large here, which can be a desirable trait depending on your application.

When using large honeycombs, the curves are tapered at each end and cut out of the sheet. This is a technique often used in model making. Wooden boards up to 5mm thick can be made very flexible. This is because the honeycombs can be easily pulled apart and pushed back together. These properties can also be combined with connections.

As with Kerf 1, this cutting pattern consists exclusively on straight cut lines. However, it does differ in its bending properties quite significantly. It is much more flexible than Kerf 1, so it can be used for a wider range of applications. It’s also a bit sturdier.

This specifically arranged cutting pattern allows extreme flexibility in all directions, as opposed to just up or down. This can make numerous creative applications possible. For example, you can try your hand at creating some laser cut bags made completely from acrylic or wood. The sky is your only limit!

These two cuts can work with almost any application and are appropriate to use with almost any material. The shape of the individual lines supplies your work with a fair amount of stability and flexibility. You won't have to worry about your completed product breaking or over-stretching because the technique is quite sturdy and safe. Give it a go if you're unsure of which technique is appropriate for your current application.

This is a very effective as well as aesthetically pleasing pattern. It can be bent in all directions and the pattern tends to be used as a graphic element. The triangular shape of this technique is suitable for materials approximately 3mm in thickness or less. From about 5mm and up, the bend will become rigid and inflexible.