Plywood we use
We cut packaging from sheet material. Softwood plywood is the default. Birch plywood is used where a part is handled again and again. OSB-3 and film-faced plywood are available on request. You choose the sheet thickness; our engineer reviews the choice against your load before production.
Materials and thicknesses
Softwood plywood
9, 12, 15, 18, 21 mm. Default for crates, bases and frames
Birch plywood, C+/C
6.5 to 30 mm, most often 12 to 21 mm. Parts handled repeatedly, lock parts, returnable packaging
Birch plywood, B/B
6.5 to 30 mm, most often 12 to 21 mm. Parts handled repeatedly, lock parts, returnable packaging
Film-faced plywood
9 to 18 mm. On request; smooth surface that takes engraved marking
OSB-3
12 and 18 mm. On request, quoted per project
| Material | Thicknesses we cut for packaging | Sheet | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softwood plywood | 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 mm | 1220 x 2440 mm | Default for crates, bases and frames |
| Birch plywood | 6.5 to 30 mm, most often 12 to 21 mm | 1250 x 2500 mm | Parts handled repeatedly, lock parts, returnable packaging |
| OSB-3 | 12 and 18 mm | 1250 x 2500 mm | On request, quoted per project |
| Film-faced plywood | 9 to 18 mm | by supplier | On request; smooth surface that takes engraved marking |
In the online configurator, softwood goes up to 21 mm. Other sheet materials (MDF, PC, PMMA, PETG) are cut for trays and fixtures; see the trays page.
What a cut edge looks like
Plywood layers show on the cut edge. Pine and OSB edges below are illustrations, not photos of our sheets.
Grade and appearance
Plywood grade describes the face veneer, not strength. We use C+/C and B/B softwood plywood depending on thickness and lot (for example C+/C at 9 mm, B/B at 18 mm). Strength comes from thickness, species and construction.
Appearance is not a criterion for transport packaging. Knots, filled patches and differences in colour or surface between sheets and between batches are normal, and parts of one crate may differ from each other.
If appearance matters, for example for a crate that is shown to your customer, tell us before we quote. Where the supplier offers a higher grade, we quote it as a separate line.
Density and weight
The weight shown with an estimate is theoretical, calculated from the CAD volume of the parts. We use typical densities from manufacturer datasheets (checked October 2026). The theoretical weight shown in the configurator is an estimate:
| Material | Typical density, kg/m³(estimate) | Tolerance | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softwood plywood | 500 to 700, depending on supplier | not stated | Datasheets range from about 460 (spruce) to 700 (pine); we have not yet weighed our own sheets |
| Birch plywood | 700 | plus or minus 5 % | Datasheet |
| OSB-3 | 620 | plus or minus 10 % | Datasheet |
| Film-faced birch plywood | 710 | plus or minus 5 % | Datasheet |
| Solid spruce or pine timber | about 420 to 470 | plus or minus 10 % | EN 338 C24 mean is 420 at 12 % moisture; higher at delivery moisture |
Moisture changes weight by about 1 % per 1 % of moisture content. Screws and finishing are not included.
Humidity and size
Plywood moves slightly with humidity. On a one-metre part the seasonal change can be in the order of the cutting tolerance (base accuracy plus or minus 0.5 mm). If a long part needs a fixed size, tell us the working environment.
FSC
Most of our plywood and timber suppliers hold FSC certificates. FSC material is available on request, and we confirm it against the supplier document for your batch. We put no FSC mark on parts.
ISPM 15
Plywood and OSB components may fall outside ISPM 15 scope. Applicability depends on the full bill of materials and destination, and we confirm it per order. Solid timber runners fall under ISPM 15; we confirm marking per order or use plywood runners instead.
Mill documents for export
We do not issue material certificates ourselves. Where a destination asks for them, we pass on the manufacturer's certificate for the sheet batch, with batch traceability.
Questions about materials
Which plywood do you use by default?+−
Softwood plywood, 9 to 21 mm. It keeps weight and cost down. Birch plywood is used where a part is handled repeatedly or loaded locally.
Can I choose the thickness?+−
Yes. You choose the sheet thickness; price and theoretical weight update with it. Our engineer reviews the choice against your load before production.
Will the crate look clean?+−
Not necessarily. Appearance is not a criterion for transport packaging, and parts may differ in colour and surface. If appearance matters, tell us before the quote.
Why birch for some parts?+−
Birch plywood is harder and stronger than softwood plywood, so we use it for parts that take repeated handling or local load, for example lock parts in our returnable reference design.
Do you offer OSB-3 or film-faced plywood?+−
Yes, on request and quoted per project. For load-bearing parts our engineer confirms the material choice.
Is FSC material available?+−
Most of our plywood and timber suppliers hold FSC certificates. FSC material is available on request, confirmed against the supplier document for your batch. We put no FSC mark on parts.
Does ISPM 15 apply to plywood?+−
Plywood and OSB components may fall outside ISPM 15 scope. Applicability depends on the full bill of materials and destination, and we confirm it per order.
Tell us what the crate has to carry.
Send dimensions and weight. We propose the material and thickness and send a drawing for approval.
No drawing? Send photos and dimensions. Our engineer designs the crate and sends a drawing for approval.