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CNC Routed Wood Parts Cut From Your Files

Parts cut and drilled on CNC routers from solid wood, plywood or MDF: seat backs, curved rails, store fixtures and nested flat-pack kits. Send DXF or STEP files.

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CNC routed parts: a carved wood panel with a floral relief pattern

CNC routed parts are cut, shaped, drilled and grooved on a computer-controlled router from a file rather than a template. Flat parts are nested on full sheets of plywood or MDF. Solid wood parts are held in fixtures and shaped on three or more axes, which is how most curved chair parts, arms and seat backs are made.

Because a new part is mostly a new program, CNC routing suits short runs, frequent design changes and parts with many holes in exact positions. Accuracy depends on the material as much as the machine: sheet thickness varies, solid wood moves and tooling leaves marks. Ask how the plant holds parts, how it checks the first part and which steps happen after routing.

What this covers

  • Nested plywood and MDF parts for flat-pack furniture
  • Shaped solid wood parts: curved rails, arms and seat backs
  • Store fixture and display parts
  • Drilled and grooved case parts for cabinets
  • Carved and three-dimensional parts on five-axis machines
  • Signs, engraved panels and decorative screens
CNC routed partsAt a glance
Species
Plywood, MDF, Particleboard, White oak, Black walnut, Hard maple, Beech, Rubberwood, Ash
Processes
Kiln drying, Rough milling, Finger jointing and edge gluing, CNC routing, Veneering and pressing, Joinery and assembly, Sanding and finishing, Inspection and packing
Order size
CNC routing suits short runs and frequent design changes because a new part needs a new program, not new tooling. Programming and fixtures still take time, so very small runs carry a higher unit price and repeat runs get cheaper.
Rules
  • TSCA Title VI for plywood, MDF and particleboard parts sold in the US
  • EU formaldehyde emission limits for wood-based articles under REACH (Regulation (EU) 2023/1464)
  • EUDR due diligence for wood placed on the EU market

CNC routed parts by product line

Each line has its own page with typical specs, species, construction options and the RFQ checklist factories quote from.

Retail display fixtures

Wall units, gondolas, display tables, counters and POP displays in plywood, MDF and veneered panels, CNC nested and packed per store for a single shop or a rollout across many locations.

How it is built

  • Three-axis nested sheet partsParts cut from full sheets on a flat table. Fast and low waste for plywood and MDF.
  • Three-axis solid partsSolid blanks held in fixtures, often in two setups, one for each face.
  • Five-axis shaped partsCompound curves, angled holes and chair parts in one setup. Higher machine rate, fewer setups.
  • Routed and edge-banded panelsPanels cut to shape, then edge banded and drilled for fittings.

What to send for a quote

  1. DXF or DWG files for flat parts, STEP files for shaped parts, plus a PDF drawing with tolerances
  2. Material, thickness and face grade, or species and grade for solid parts
  3. Edge treatment: edge band, round-over radius or sanded edge
  4. Hole and groove positions and the fittings they must match
  5. Finish, or unfinished and sanded to which grit
  6. Quantity per part and per kit

Where orders go wrong

  • Sheet thickness off nominalPlywood and MDF vary from the nominal thickness, so a groove cut to nominal can be loose or tight. Give the actual thickness or ask the plant to measure and adjust.
  • Inside cornersA router bit leaves a radius in every inside corner. If a part needs a square corner, say so, because it adds a step.
  • Tear-out and fuzzy edgesDull tools and the wrong cutter tear veneer faces and fuzz MDF edges. Ask for a sample cut from the actual sheet.
  • Tab and fixture marksNested parts are held with tabs or vacuum. Tab marks need sanding. State which edges are visible.
Send an RFQ for CNC routed parts

Questions about CNC routed parts

Related guides:

  • CNC Routing for Wood Parts: What Drives Tolerance and Price
  • MDF vs Plywood vs Particleboard: Choosing a Panel for Wood Products
What tolerance can CNC routing hold on wood parts?

On sheet parts a typical range is about ±0.1 to ±0.3 mm on hole positions and part sizes. Solid wood moves with moisture after cutting, so tolerances there depend on the species and the time between routing and assembly. Put tight tolerances only where parts meet or take fittings.

Do I need to send nested files?

No. Send one file per part with the material and quantity, and the factory nests them on its own sheet size. Mark grain direction on veneered parts and any edges that must come from the factory edge of the sheet.

What drives the price of CNC routed parts?

Machine time, the number of setups and material yield set most of the cost. A part that needs two setups or a five-axis machine costs more than a flat nested part. Edge banding, sanding of tab marks and finishing are separate steps that add labor.

Can I order a small first run before a full order?

Yes. CNC routing suits small runs because a new part needs a program rather than new tooling. Expect programming and fixture time to be charged or spread over the first order, so ask the factories to show setup and unit price separately.

Other product types

One RFQ, up to 3 factories that make CNC routed parts

Free for buyers. We reply within 24 business hours with matched factories or a clear no.

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