CNC Information | CNC Videos

Antony G asked:


I have a sheet of MDF (2500 x 1250 x 30mm) and I want to find out if it is possible to cut 3mm (or the width of the minimum size router bit possible) square grooves/slits across the MDF exactly 12mm apart. These grooves/slits would run the length of the MDF from top to bottom, but importantly would not run right to the edges of the sheet.

Basically this would mean I would end up with a large thick piece of MDF with very long slits (aproximately 1200mm long and 12mm apart) running right across the material.

I have spoken to a number of people who have suggested this is not possible because cutting the grooves/slits that close together would move the material or at least make it unstable to the point where the grooves/slits would not be straight.

Is this really correct? I find this very strange as I would have though that doing something like this would be incredible easy for a CNC router.
Also, would CNC router be able to cut the grooves/slits in one pass or would the machine likely cut the top section first and then lower the router bit to cut the bottom section of the grooves/slits?
The reason I want to use a CNC router is because I need the cuts absolutely straight and with hardly if any tool marks on the cut surfaces.

Importantly, the grooves/slits would be cut completely through the material so that you would be able to see through the MDF e.g like a big set of prison bars sort of thing.

CNC Forum