Ponoko | Laser-Cut Design Manufacturing

Wooden bank by WoodMarvels

Hailed by some as the future of manufacturing, laser-cut manufacturing is being made accessible to the masses by the guys at Ponoko via the convenience of your own computer. Although Ponoko is based in Wellington New Zealand (with an outpost in California), by uploading one’s own product designs to the Ponoko site or utilizing their extensive library of designs, the normal Joe has full access to their super high tech laser-cutting machines and distribution system.

The beauty of their concept is in the eventual positioning of their laser-cutters around the globe, closest to the distribution point of whatever product is being made- essentially making it “locally”. Shipping and manufacturing timing is dramatically cut on the back end, so the whole process is faster from start to finish.

A fantastic benefit of manufacturing using Ponoko is that they will host your designs for sale as products to consumers and/or as design plans, of which other designers can purchase or license. *And the manufacturing is somewhat “Green” as well- each piece is made to order (very little warehousing needed). The machines practically do it all.

Ponoko co-founder David ten Have at one of the Ponoko laser-cutting machines

Somewhat limited in materials (they need to be a bit rigid to make it through the cutting process), Ponoko does offer quite a range. From all types of wood and plastic, cardboard, felt, and even leather).

Acrylic and leather jewelry by designer David Bizer

Jon Cantin’s toy Rhino and Jet Plane

Wooden Furniture

Plastic Toys

Don’t be intimidated by the “how could I create manufacturing plans myself” thoughts. Ponoko supplies a wide range of software packages made for Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Macromedia Freehand and Inkscape starter kits to get you rolling along. The Ponoko website is also chock full of information about how, what and where. It’s well worth your time to look through it.

Once you start looking through the available products and plans your head will be spinning with the possibilities of what can be done.