Cutting technique for bending applications

By cutting so-called bending cut geometries or ‘kerf cut’, rigid sheet materials such as wood or acrylic can be bent. There are a variety of different shapes and geometries which result in different flexural behavior. We have tested different materials, such as wood and acrylic from 3 to 5 mm, and selected a few for you. Here you can find the appropriate graphic templates to download.

Straight cut lines form a stable radius. The further apart the individual cutting lines are, the larger the bending radius. Depending on the graphic and material, a distance of up to 0.5 mm between the lines can be selected. 

The small waves are interconnected and make the material look flexible. This cutting technique is suitable for materials up to 3mm thick. The bending radius is very large here.

With the large honeycombs, the curves are tapered at each end and cut out of the sheet. This cutting pattern is often used in model making. Due to the large honeycombs, wooden boards up to 5mm thick can also be used flexibly.
The honeycombs can be easily pulled apart and pressed together and these properties can be combined easily with connections, for example, with bracelets.

Like pattern 1, this cutting pattern consists exclusively of cut lines, but it differs in the bending properties, because it is much more flexible.

The specially arranged pattern of this bending cut allows flexibility in all directions. This makes numerous creative applications possible, for example, in bag design.

These cuts are all-rounders and work well with many different materials. The shape of the individual cut lines gives stability and flexibility.

This cutting pattern can be bent in all directions and due to its design, the pattern is often used as a graphic element.
The triangular shape of this cutting technique is very suitable for materials up to approximately 3mm. From 5mm material thickness, the bend becomes rigid and inflexible.