Edge banding for a perfect look

Boards coated with foils or veneer require a clean edge after cutting, which must be glued on. Different methods are used for this. In craft workshops, this is usually done by a fully automatic edge banding machine that applies the edgebanding material with high precision and already integrates all the work processes required for post-processing. The minimax me 28t ER model from Holzkraft, for example, combines gluing, milling and final cut in a single pass, which ensures long-lasting aesthetic results with its numerous units.

Units for pre- and post-processing of the workpieces

In order to glue edging material precisely, clean, glueable narrow surfaces are necessary. If wood-based materials are cut to size on a sliding table saw, they usually already have clean cut edges. However, intermediate storage, in-house transport or fluctuations in humidity can cause cracks in the top layer and thus defective edge areas. In order to eliminate such unevenness, the minimax me 28t ER edge banding machine has a jointing unit that prepares the workpieces so that the best possible gluing results can be achieved. However, an aesthetic edge is also characterised by the most even application possible over the entire width of the workpiece. This is ensured by the integrated flush radius milling unit, which aligns the edge exactly flush with the workpiece surface over the entire course. Sharp-edged overlaps, which often occur in the workpiece corners when the edges meet, are rounded off by the corner rounding function. A flat scraper unit ensures that the adhesive that sometimes escapes from the joint between the workpiece and the edge is cleanly removed.

Cleaning, maintenance and temperature control

The integration of different units makes edgebanding much easier and enables the application of optically perfect edges. However, to achieve the best possible results other factors besides the machine functions also play a role that significantly influence the outcome. For example, the glue basin should be cleaned regularly, as the glue can boil away and crust on the edge of the basin if it is in the basin for too long. The scraper blades should also be cleaned regularly to remove glue residues. For the correct consistency of the adhesive, the temperature is a decisive factor, not only the temperature in the hot-melt pool, but also that of the room air. The temperature in the workshop should therefore always be at least 18 °C and drafts should be avoided, as otherwise the applied hot-melt adhesive will cool down too quickly and will not be able to build up adhesive strength. In addition, newly delivered panels should always be stored at room temperature for 24 hours in winter to allow them to acclimatise. Equipped with five heating rods, the minimax me 28t ER ensures that the glue is heated evenly, both in the glue pot and in the application roller. An electronic temperature control with standby function at 150 °C prevents the glue from boiling and allows it to be quickly heated back up to operating temperature.