Creating Living Hinges: Laser Cutting Flexible Wood
woodcuttingflexibledesign
How Living Hinges Work
A living hinge (or lattice hinge) is a pattern of nested, alternating laser cuts that allow rigid materials like plywood to bend along a curve without snapping.
Design and Execution
1. Select a material, preferably Baltic Birch 3mm. 2. Choose a 'straight lattice' or 'nested lattice' pattern (templates are common). 3. Crucial Parameter: The 'connecting bridges' (uncut material between parallel cuts) must be small enough to allow flex (approx. 1-2mm). 4. Cut the pattern. Post-Processing: Apply wood oil or clear coat after bending, as finishing can make the thin bridges brittle.