Cut-out 1–2 mm smaller than the object
Draw the cut-out 1 to 2 mm smaller than the object; the foam expands and grips it securely. Use 1 mm as standard, and 2 mm for large or organic shapes.
PE rigid foam laser cutting
Firm, lightweight PE foam for inlays in cases, drawers, and flight cases. It has a clean cut edge, is engravable, and doesn't absorb moisture.
- resilient, holds parts securely in an inlay
- clean, soft cut edge that doesn't mark
- engravable for labels and logos
- cut approx. 1 mm wide, not suitable for fine details
- underside slightly wrinkled at 15 and 20 mm
Price indication · black · 10.0 mm · excl. btw
From€14,72één klein onderdeel op de kleinste plaat, levertijd 4 werkdagen
- Higher quantity
- Price per piece gets cheaper quickly: setup and material costs are shared.
- Larger design
- You pay for the smallest standard format your parts fit on. Tot 1200 × 600 mm.
- Delivery time
- Express · 2 wd · 4 wd · 13 wd, up to approx. 75% difference.
Exacte prijs zie je direct na upload.
PE rigid foam
From
Offer price€14,72
per assignment
€17,81
incl. btw
In print runs as low as €0.05 per part!
Specifications
Material
| Abbreviation | PE (polyethylene) |
|---|---|
| Structure | Closed-cell |
| Max. dimensions | 1200 × 600 mm |
| Density | 28 kg/m³ |
| Transparency | Opaque |
| Gluing | Yes, with contact, spray, or plastic adhesive; double-sided tape |
| Painting | No |
Laser cutting
| Kerf | 1.0 mm |
|---|---|
| Thickness tolerance | ± 0.2 mm |
| Min. width | 4.0 mm |
| Cut edge | Clean and soft, doesn't mark; cut approx. 1 mm |
| Protective film | Not possible |
| Adhesive film underside | Optional |
Resistance
| Temperature | -80 … 100 °C |
|---|---|
| Chemical | Good: acids, alkalis, alcohol, oil. Not resistant to fuel and solvents |
| UV | Good |
| Moisture absorption | Low, approx. 1 vol.% after 7 days (closed-cell) |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Outdoor use | Suitable for outdoor use |
About PE rigid foam
About PE rigid foam
PE foam is a sturdy, resilient closed-cell polyethylene foam, well-known in the flight case industry. Use it to laser cut custom foam inlays: recesses that keep tools, measuring equipment, or products precisely in place.
When should you choose PE foam?
Choose PE foam when a component needs to be held securely and protected: inlays for cases and tool drawers, shadow boards, packaging for fragile products, and damping interlayers. The surface is fine and uniformly black, so an inlay looks finished without post-processing. Thanks to its closed cells, it does not absorb moisture or oil and is easy to keep clean; black PE foam is also highly resistant to UV light. If a temporary or more affordable inlay is sufficient, consider soft foam. If you're looking for a soft, compressible material for seals, then cellular rubber neoprene is the better choice.
PE foam laser cutting: what to expect
The laser melts a clean, soft cutting edge in the same colour as the surface. The edge does not rub off and has no odour; at 15 and 20 mm, the underside is slightly rippled. The cut is wider than with hard plastics, so take this into account for small details. You can engrave letters, names, and logos directly into the surface. PE foam can be easily glued with contact, spray, or plastic adhesive, and thick inlays can be built up from multiple layers: choose adhesive film on the underside and stick them together in one go. The dimensions for clamping an inlay are listed in the design tips.
Design tips for PE rigid foam
Walls between cut-outs: minimum 4 mm
Keep the strips between cut-outs at least 4 mm wide. Thinner, they won't hold their shape.
Finger hole: 25–35 mm
Add a round hole of 25 to 35 mm to the edge of a cut-out, so you can easily lift the part out of the inlay.
Engraving: minimum 5 mm letter height
Engrave labels, names, and logos directly onto the surface. Keep letters a minimum of 5 mm high for good readability.
Multiple layers: choose adhesive film
Order multiple layers? Choose adhesive film on the underside and affix them all at once. Add alignment holes so the layers align perfectly.
Got space left? Create a compartment for accessories
Got space left in your inlay? Design an extra compartment for cables, bits, or other accessories, to keep everything in one case.
Cut quality
Made from PE rigid foam
Compare with other materials
Laser cutting of foam →| Property |  PE rigid foam
|
 Soft foam
|
 Cellular rubber neoprene
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 28 kg/m³ | 140 kg/m³ | |
| Transparency | Opaque | Opaque | Opaque |
| Starting price | €14,59 | €14,74 | €14,67 |
How to order
- 1 · Design
DXF, STEP, SVG, DWG, AI, PDF · 1:1 in mm
blue = cutting · red = line engraving · magenta = area engraving - 2 · Upload
See the price instantly per material and delivery time. No quote needed.
- 3 · Choose delivery time
Express (tomorrow) · 2 working days · 4 working days · 13 working days
Price adjusts. - 4 · Receive
Mail, courier or pick up in Rotterdam.
Business invoicing available.
Frequently asked questions about PE rigid foam
PE foam or soft foam: what should I choose for an inlay?
Choose PE foam for inlays that see frequent use, need a neat finish, or hold heavy objects. It grips parts securely, doesn't absorb moisture, and leaves a clean, smooth cut edge. Soft foam is softer and light grey, with open cells. It suits lighter objects needing more cushioning or serves as a more affordable alternative.
Can I have a recess made at a specific depth?
No, the laser only cuts completely through the sheet. A recess that does not go all the way through is built up from layers: a bottom layer without a hole and one or more layers with the hole, each as a separate design. Choose adhesive film on the underside to connect the layers.
Do you stick the layers of my inlay together?
No, you will receive the layers separately. With adhesive film on the underside, you stick them together yourself in one simple step; alignment holes in your design will help with this. For large volume runs, you can request assembly.
How firm is PE foam?
Firm yet resilient: Shore OO 49 hardness, requiring 40 kPa for 25% compression and 100 kPa for 50% compression (Alveobloc datasheet). It springs back after compression, securing parts in an inlay. It is too soft to be used as a load-bearing component.
How do I clean PE foam?
With water and a mild detergent, or with alcohol. Thanks to its closed cells, the foam does not absorb dirt or moisture. Do not use fuels, white spirit, or chlorine-based solvents: these will damage the foam.
Is there a datasheet for PE foam?
Yes. It is closed-cell PE foam with a density of 28 kg/m³. You can find the datasheet in the downloads section on this page.
Are there other thicknesses than 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm?
We standardly laser cut PE foam in 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm. You can build up thicker inlays from layers. You can request a different thickness for large volume runs.
Can you laser cut other foams, such as EVA?
We only stock PE foam and soft foam. You can supply other sheet foam yourself, such as EVA; contact us in advance to check if we can laser cut it.
24/7 Instant quotes for laser cutting
Start your project today
- Create your design using our drawing guidelines
- Upload it at account.snijlab.co.uk
- Receive your parts on the delivery date of your choice
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