Short answer: Al Malek Carpentry cuts MDF, plywood, HDF, WPC, acrylic, aluminium, GRP and Corian sheets on a CNC router in Ras Al Khaimah, and also carve V-grooves and 3D panels and cut moulds, templates and dies. We cut sheets of 1220 x 2440 mm and 1220 x 3600 mm, from 2 mm to 30 mm thick as standard and up to 100 mm for carving. Send a DXF, DWG or CDR file with the material, thickness and quantity, and standard orders are typically cut in about 48 hours.
What is CNC router cutting?
A CNC router is a computer-controlled cutting machine. It follows a digital drawing and cuts the sheet with a spinning bit, so every panel matches the design exactly and can be repeated as many times as you need. Because the bit cuts in depth as well as along a line, a router can also carve grooves, flutes and raised patterns into thicker boards.
We cut on a CNC router only. We do not offer laser cutting, and we do not cut mild steel or stainless steel.
More than cutting: V-groove and 3D carving
A CNC router does more than cut shapes out of a sheet. Because it controls the depth of every pass, it can also carve into the surface:
- V-groove carving: a V-shaped bit cuts sharp, angled grooves for engraved lettering and logos, line patterns and grooved decorative panels.
- 3D panels: relief carving of waves, textures and raised patterns in thicker MDF and wood, for feature walls, headboards and furniture fronts.
- Moulds, templates and dies: accurate moulds, routing templates, patterns and dies cut to your drawing, so parts can be repeated exactly in production.
- Other router work: pockets, recesses, edge profiles and drilling for furniture and joinery parts.
Carved panels are usually supplied raw, ready for paint, so the finish can match your room.
Which sheets can be CNC cut?
| Material | Good for | Points to know |
|---|---|---|
| MDF | Mashrabiya screens, partitions, ceiling panels, arches, painted wall features | Smooth and stable; the best base for painted designs. For indoor use. |
| Plywood | Furniture parts, shelving, strong decorative panels | Stronger than MDF and holds screws well; the layered edge shows after cutting. |
| HDF | Thin decorative panels, wall cladding, backing boards | Denser and thinner than MDF, good for fine patterns in thin sheets. |
| WPC | Panels near water, bathrooms, semi-outdoor areas | Waterproof and termite-resistant. |
| Acrylic | Signage letters, displays, decorative and backlit panels | Clear, coloured or mirror sheets, cut with clean edges. |
| Aluminium | Outdoor mashrabiya, gates, railings, facade screens | Cut in-house on our router; suits outdoor use. |
| GRP (fibreglass) | Decorative panels and screens that need to resist weather | Light and strong. |
| Corian / solid surface | Wall features, counters, backlit panels | Can be joined almost seamlessly and repaired. |
| Not cut | Mild steel and stainless steel | We do not cut steel. |
Not sure which material suits your project? Tell us where the panel will go, indoors or outdoors, and whether it will be painted, and we will advise.
Sheet sizes and thicknesses
| Specification | What we cut |
|---|---|
| Sheet sizes | 1220 x 2440 mm and 1220 x 3600 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm to 30 mm as standard, up to 100 mm for heavy carving and thick panels |
| Turnaround | Typically about 48 hours for standard cutting orders |
| Finish | Supplied raw (unpainted) as standard; painting on request adds time |
A design that fits the sheet saves material and cost. Large screens, such as a full-height wall or a long partition, are cut as several panels; we plan where the joins fall so the pattern continues across them.
How to prepare your design file
- Best: DXF or DWG, drawn at true scale in millimetres.
- Also accepted: CorelDRAW (CDR) files.
- No CAD file? Send a PDF, a sketch or a photo of a design you like, or choose a pattern from our design catalogue. We prepare the cutting file and confirm it with you before cutting.
- Use closed shapes: every shape to be cut out should be a closed line, with no gaps or overlapping lines.
- Allow for the bit: a router bit is round, so inside corners come out with a small radius, and details narrower than the bit cannot be cut. We check this and suggest small changes if needed.
- Write it down: material, thickness, finished size and quantity for each part.
How to order CNC cutting
- Send your file or catalogue code on WhatsApp, with the material, thickness, sizes and quantity.
- We check the design and send a clear quote, including the delivery charge if you need delivery.
- Once you approve, we cut the panels in our Ras Al Khaimah workshop, typically in about 48 hours for standard orders.
- Collect the panels from the workshop, or we send them by courier anywhere in the UAE.
Painting is available on request and adds time. Installation is available in Ras Al Khaimah only; outside RAK we cut to your measurements and your own team or contractor installs.
Who we cut for
We cut panels for fit-out contractors, joinery workshops, and interior designers, as well as homeowners who want a mashrabiya screen, a partition or a feature wall. Trade clients can find more on our CNC cutting for contractors page.
See our CNC cutting solutions, mashrabiya and decorative designs pages for more of our work.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer laser cutting?
No. We cut on a CNC router only, in our own workshop in Ras Al Khaimah. A router cuts with a spinning bit, which suits wood-based boards, acrylic, aluminium, GRP and solid surface, and can also carve depth into thicker panels. We do not offer laser cutting.
Can you cut steel sheets?
No. We do not cut mild steel or stainless steel. For metal, we cut aluminium sheet in-house on our CNC router, which works well for outdoor screens, gates and facade panels.
What sheet sizes and thicknesses can you cut?
We cut sheets of 1220 x 2440 mm and 1220 x 3600 mm. Standard thickness is from 2 mm to 30 mm, and we can work up to 100 mm for heavy carving and thick panels. Larger screens are split into panels, and we plan the joins with you.
Which file format should I send?
A DXF or DWG file at true scale in millimetres gives the most accurate result, and we also accept CorelDRAW (CDR) files. If you only have a PDF, a sketch or a photo of a design you like, send it: we prepare the cutting file and confirm the details with you before we cut.
How long does CNC cutting take?
Standard cutting orders are typically ready in about 48 hours once the design, material and quantity are confirmed. Painting, very large quantities or detailed carving add time, and we confirm the timing with your quote.
Do you deliver CNC-cut panels outside Ras Al Khaimah?
Yes. We send cut panels by courier anywhere in the UAE, or you can collect them from our workshop. The delivery charge depends on the location and the size of the order and is confirmed with your quote. Installation is available in Ras Al Khaimah only.
Can you do V-groove and 3D carving?
Yes. Besides cutting shapes out of a sheet, our CNC router carves V-grooves for lettering, line patterns and grooved panels, and carves 3D relief panels such as waves, textures and raised designs in thicker MDF and wood. Send your design or a photo of the effect you want, and we will advise on the material and thickness.
Ready to cut? Send your design, material, thickness and quantity on WhatsApp or call +971 7 223 5362, and we will reply with a quote.