Living Hinge GeneratorFREE
Generate laser-cut living hinge patterns for flexible wood and acrylic panels. Choose a pattern, enter your dimensions, download SVG + DXF.
Which pattern for which material?
| Pattern | Best for | Radius range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | 3–6mm basswood, plywood | 30mm+ | Most tested pattern. Predictable, fast to cut. |
| Lattice | 2–4mm material, acrylic | 15mm+ | Bi-directional flex. Needs clean kerf — use air assist. |
| Wave | 3mm wood, decorative pieces | 40mm+ | Decorative look, similar strength to straight. Slightly more cut time. |
Frequently asked questions
What is a living hinge?
A living hinge is a cut pattern in rigid sheet material (wood, acrylic, MDF) that allows it to bend like a hinge. The laser cuts many thin parallel slits, leaving thin ligaments of material between them. The result flexes smoothly along one axis.
What materials work best?
3mm basswood and 3mm Baltic birch plywood give the most reliable results. 2–4mm acrylic works but needs tight kerf and clean cuts — air assist is recommended. MDF is possible but fibres make it weaker. Avoid OSB and chipboard.
What's the ligament width?
The ligament is the uncut material between each slit. Smaller ligaments = more flex but weaker panel. For 3mm wood, 1–1.5mm ligament is typical. Auto-calculate starts there and adjusts based on thickness.
Why does my hinge crack when bending?
Usually one of: bend radius too tight for the material thickness, ligaments too narrow, or acrylic with internal stress. Try increasing the row gap, widening the ligament, or using a looser bend radius. Always test on scrap before cutting your final piece.
Can I use this for a hinged box lid?
Yes — that's one of the most common uses. Size the hinge panel to match the box width and the arc length of the bend. The box generator on this site produces finger-joint boxes you can pair with a living hinge lid.
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