Maplex

[Doug McIntyre]

I've just discovered this material described as the perfect sheet material for laser cutting. It's made from super-compressed maple wood fibre by a company in Vermont.

I've ordered a few sheets for a trial. I'd like it a bit thicker but they only sell it in 1mm thickness at my source here in the UK.

Anyone on the forum tried this? - I'm surprised it has never been mentioned.

[Mike Null]

Doug
Do you have a web address or contact info for them?

[Craig Hogarth]

http://www.maplexmaterial.com/home.htm

never heard of it before.

[Doug McIntyre]

Mike,
I found the reference to maplex at http://www.mutr.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1422 but I have ordered some from ebay.co.uk because carriage costs are extortionate for small quantities.
Try this -
http://www.weidmann-electrical.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=122&Itemid=238 This is the company but I couldn't get much info on the Vermont division.

[Doug McIntyre]

Craig,
Thanks for the link - I remembered I'd been there before. There's not much information regarding laser cutting but it's certainly informative. If it is easily cuttable it will certainly give us another versatile material if it's freely available.

The stuff I've ordered is for a friend who paints Christmas tree decoration shapes. I've got no choice other than 1mm at the moment so I'll see how easy it is to work with before I look for other thicknesses.

[Mike Null]

Doug
Very interesting material. First time I heard about it but it looks like it has great potential.
Thanks

[Mike Null]

I checked out their web site and it is available in two versions. The heavier more structural of the two is considerably heavier than plywood or mdf of equal thickness.

It is available from .040" to 5/16" in 1/16 increments; sheet size is 48" x 96".

I'll do more checking Monday when their offices are open.

[John Lane]

My vector cutting tests on 1mm Maplex sheet produced clean, light brown, cut edges with no black soot (charring).

The material is however very dense and therefore cuts very slowly compared with plywood or MDF.

It is fairly rigid but has mottled surfaces on both sides.

It is available in the UK via eBay or MUTR Teaching Resources.

Hope this helps.

[Mike Null]

John

Can you tell us how you used the material?

[John Lane]

Mike

I purchased this material in order to test it's suitabilty as a substrate in the manufacture of jigsaw puzzles.

Although it cuts cleanly, it's high density and its rough surface make it unsuitable for this particular process.

If you have time, then please look at my latest post to see what I am up to....

Thanks