CNC Cutting Materials Guide
CNC cutting is a precise manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled tools to shape materials. At Wellan, we provide a variety of materials for CNC cutting, including metals, plastics, wood, and composites. Selecting the right material ensures your parts meet performance, durability, and budget goals. This guide outlines our offerings to help you choose wisely.
Quick Material Selection Guide
Answer these questions to pick the best material for your project:
- What’s the part’s main purpose?
- Structural: Metals like aluminum or steel
- Decorative: Acrylic or wood
- Functional: Plastics like ABS or composites
- Which properties matter most?
- Strength: Steel, carbon fiber
- Clarity: Acrylic, polycarbonate
- Impact Resistance: ABS, polycarbonate
- Light Weight: Aluminum, carbon fiber
- Cost-Effectiveness: Wood, MDF
- What conditions will it face?
- High Heat: Aluminum, polycarbonate
- Chemicals: Stainless steel, PVC
- Outdoors: UV-resistant plastics
- What’s your budget?
- Low Cost: Wood, PVC
- Moderate: Aluminum, ABS
- Higher: Stainless steel, titanium
- How easy should it be to cut?
- Easy: Wood, acrylic
- Moderate: Aluminum, ABS
- Challenging: Steel, titanium
CNC Cutting Materials at Wellan
Wood
- Overview: Affordable and versatile, great for natural looks and easy cutting.
- Uses: Furniture, signage, prototypes
- Options: Plywood, MDF, various woods
Plastics
- ABS: Tough, impact-resistant, good for functional parts.
- Acrylic: Clear, ideal for displays and signage.
- Polycarbonate: Strong, heat-tolerant, suits safety gear.
- PVC: Chemical-resistant, perfect for piping.
- Other: PETG, nylon, etc., on request
Metals
- Aluminum: Light, strong, widely used in aerospace.
- Brass: Corrosion-resistant, great for decorative parts.
- Steel: Strong, suited for structural components.
- Stainless Steel: Durable, corrosion-resistant, for medical or food use.
- Other: Titanium, copper, etc., on request
Composites
- Carbon Fiber: Light, strong, for high-performance needs.
- Fiberglass: Balanced strength and weight, for marine or automotive.
Foams
- Overview: Light, easy to cut, great for prototypes.
- Uses: Mockups, packaging
- Options: Polyurethane, polystyrene
Specialty Materials
- Invar: Low expansion, for precision tools.
- Kydex: Tough, chemical-resistant, for gear or interiors.
Custom Materials
Need something unique? We’ll source custom materials to fit your project. Just tell us what you require.