Jinan Weihua Machinery & Equipment Co., Ltd · Jinan Shandong China
Wood panel engraved with a CO2 laser
Knowledge Centre

Laser Cutting Machine in Making of Notebook

Published 2019-08-01 by the Weihua Laser engineering desk.

Why Wood Cover Notebooks Use Laser Cutting

Laser cutting and engraving allow for the creation of personalized wooden notebook covers without the need for physical tooling. This method supports custom designs, names, and dates directly on the wood surface. It is suitable for small batch production or one-off custom orders where traditional die-cutting or routing would be too costly or time-consuming.

What A CO2 Laser Does To Wood Board

A CO2 laser vaporizes material along the cut path. On wood board, this creates a clean edge for cutting shapes and a high-contrast mark for engraving text or logos. The process does not apply mechanical pressure, so there is no risk of cracking thin wood covers or displacing the material during the cut.

Customization Options For Notebook Covers

The laser can engrave specific elements such as the owner's name, the purpose of the notebook, or the date of use. These markings are permanent and integrated into the wood surface. This level of customization adds perceived value to the product, making it distinct from standard paper or plastic-covered notebooks.

Production Considerations For Wood Engraving

Wood grain and density vary, which affects the contrast and depth of the engraving. It is necessary to test the specific wood board material to determine the correct power and speed settings. Consistent material sourcing helps maintain uniform appearance across multiple units.

Machine Requirements For This Application

A CO2 laser engraving and cutting machine is required for this work. Fiber lasers are not suitable for wood. The machine must have a work area large enough to accommodate the notebook cover dimensions and a control system capable of handling vector files for cutting and raster images for engraving.

Machines Mentioned Here

All machines

Fiber Laser Cutting Machines

Glass Laser Cutting Machine

The Glass Laser Cutting Machine uses a Wuhan Huaray picosecond laser source at 30w, 50w or 70w to cut glass on a 500 x 400 mm marble work table.

Buyer Questions

Questions On This Topic

Can I cut the wood board and engrave the design in one pass?
Yes, CO2 laser machines can perform both cutting and engraving operations in a single job sequence, provided the file is set up correctly with different power and speed settings for each operation.
What thickness of wood board can be cut?
The cutting capability depends on the laser power. Higher wattage allows for thicker cuts. You should provide the thickness of your wood board so we can recommend the appropriate machine power.
Does the laser leave a smell or residue on the wood?
Laser cutting wood produces smoke and a burnt smell. An exhaust system is required to remove fumes. Residue can be minimized by using air assist to blow away smoke during the cutting process.
Can the laser engrave on dark or light wood?
Yes, CO2 lasers can engrave on both dark and light wood. The contrast of the mark will vary depending on the wood type and the laser settings used.
Is a fiber laser suitable for notebook covers?
No, fiber lasers are designed for metals and hard plastics. They cannot effectively cut or engrave wood. A CO2 laser is the correct tool for this application.
What file formats are needed for the notebook designs?
Vector formats such as AI, DXF, or PLT are used for cutting outlines. Raster formats like BMP or JPG are used for engraving images or text.

Still Not Sure Which Machine Fits

Send the material and the thickness. We answer with a model and the settings that go with it, not a catalogue.