For all your Gold Coast plastic fabrication, cutting, moulding and prototyping needs
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Perspex ∙ Acrylic ∙ Polycarbonate ∙ Aluminium Composite Panel ∙ Foamed PVC ∙ And more!
CNC Router & Laser Engraving Gold Coast
VISIT OUR ARUNDEL FACTORY OR CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE
Looking for custom engraved plastic items? Need plates and labels for items such as switchboards, machinery, instrument panels or signs? Not a problem! As your Gold Coast plastic expert, we specialise in customised nameplates, screens, badges, tags, labels and everything you need for your workplace, home or hobbies.
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Supply your own drawings or have our team help create a design for you. Chat to us over the phone or enquire online to find out more.
Rely on EXP Plastics for all your engraving needs
The Gold Coast's experts in router and laser engraving on sheet plastic and wood
Plastic experts
With 19 years of plastics experience, our team will answer all your questions and achieve a quality result every time.
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Fast turnaround
Where possible, we complete cut-to-size projects on the spot and deliver more complex orders within a week.
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Custom projects
From prototype to production runs. We work with you to perfect your product and bring your ideas to life.
CNC router engraving vs. laser engraving
FOR ALL YOUR ENGRAVING & ETCHING NEEDS ON THE GOLD COAST
What is CNC router engraving?
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router engraving is a specialised manufacturing technique that uses digital files to instruct a computer-controlled machine to cut, drill or carve shapes into a hard material, such as plastic or wood. A computer that runs Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) software guides a cylindrical bit to cut away unwanted material. Because the machine is computer-controlled, it can produce and replicate complex engravings with great efficiency and accuracy. We can produce a one-off item, replicate multiples of the same part, or engrave different parts on a single sheet of material.
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What is laser engraving?
Laser engraving is a process that uses a very thin, intensified beam of light (laser) controlled by computer software to remove material from the target surface (vs laser etching which adds material to the surface). Whereas a router bit removes material by cutting, a laser vaporises the material, leaving permanent, deep marks. Because a laser is extremely focused, you can achieve very intricate and precise engravings.
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What is the difference between CNC router engraving and laser engraving?
In both cases, we can produce a one-off item, replicate multiples of the same part, or engrave different parts on a single sheet of material. Both methods of engraving are computer-controlled and extremely accurate. However, there are some important differences in terms of material suitability, cutting bed size, 3D vs 2D engraving and cutting precision.
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Precision: Compared with laser engraving, CNC router engraving is limited in precision by the size of the router bit. The smallest router bit is approximately 1 mm, compared with our laser cutter which has variable tolerance down to 0.1 mm. With laser, the beam can also be switched from pulsed for holes and small details to continuous for cutting, edging, sharp angles for very precise 2D cutting.
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Dimension and depth: On the other hand, CNC router engraving can work on three axes, which allows for 3D cutting and milling. Being a mechanical blade, it also means that deeper engravings can be achieved with a router bit than with laser engraving, which is limited to a depth of about 10 mm.
Manufacturing: If your project involves replicating multiple parts, then machine bed size is also a consideration. Our very large CNC router machines can accommodate sheets up to 1220 x 2440 mm, which minimises operator time needed for machine set up and changing sheets.
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Materials: Some plastic materials are not suitable for laser engraving because they deform under the intense heat of laser, catch fire and/or release unwanted gases. Examples of sheet materials not suitable for laser engraving include polyvinyl chloride and aluminium composite panel. However, a wide range of plastic and wood sheet materials make excellent laser engraving surfaces, including polymethyl methacrylate, otherwise known as acrylic or Perspex.
Yes, we also work with wood!
PLYWOOD, MDF, ENGINEERED WOOD AND MORE
We can help you source sheet wood materials for your project, such as:
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Plywood
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Marine ply
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Engineered wood
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Medium Density Fibre (MDF) board
Or you are welcome to bring your own!
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Examples of router and laser engraving
FOR ALL YOUR CUTTING, ENGRAVING & ETCHING NEEDS ON THE GOLD COAST
Types of projects suitable for router and laser engraving
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The applications for engraving are almost limitless and cut across a wide range of industries, from sign-making and shop-fitting to jewellery-making, art and hobbies.
Here are just a few examples:
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Safety signs
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Switchboard labels
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Nameplates
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Retail displays
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Architectural components
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Car and boat part replacements
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Personalised gifts
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Trophies and awards
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Art and signage
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How much does engraving cost?
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The cost of CNC engraving will depend on the scale and complexity of your job and whether you need our help in developing a design and/or manufacturing files. We can manufacture from your custom design, a physical sample, or we can help you come up with a design. Please contact us to make a time to visit or request a custom quote online.
What materials can be CNC engraved?
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Many materials can be engraved. Among the most popular materials are:
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Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) and plywood
We keep a wide range of materials in stock and can usually order specialty materials for delivery to our Arundel factory within 48 hours (subject to availability).
Explore engraving projects
OUR FACTORY IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED AT ARUNDEL
Customised signs
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We can achieve all sorts of lovely engraving effects for your retail displays and signs, including affordable custom event signage.
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Customised gift ideas using engraving
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Transform an ordinary gift into something unique with a personalised message or image. We can engrave virtually any plastic item you have, big or small. Guitar picks, jewellery and signs for your home bar, BBQ area, shed or 'man cave' are just a few gift ideas.
Switch plates and nameplates
​If you need a label or nameplate that won’t fade or come off, talk to us about CNC engraving. We can put your message on anything from your pet’s name tag to machinery panels and parts.
Engraving on trophies and awards
Trophies, awards and plaques can be made into attractive and special mementos with CNC engraving. We can engrave shapes, designs and characters onto plastic. We can even custom cut and mould plastic into virtually any shape or representation.
Engraved wall art and decorative items
Add flair to your office or home with a design engraved onto a transparent or opaque screen.
Five-star reputation
I have been using EXP for over 5 years now. First at Nerang and now at Arundel. Nothing has ever been a problem for them - and I come up with some crazy stuff. I am always wanting one-off items for the boat or office. Amir has always been realistic with his delivery time frames and always delivers a quality product on time at what I consider to be a
very reasonable price.
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PHILLIP G.
Talk with a plastics expert
Phone, email or enquire online now