Everything relative to edgebanding, banding materials and adhesives got the full-court press recently at Madison College as more than 60 manufacturers, vendors and others gathered to learn how to attain that perfect edge treatment.

The Madison, Wisconsin college’s Cabinetmaking & Millwork Program partnered with the AWI-Wisconsin chapter to co-sponsor this one-day seminar which featured in-depth presentations and demonstrations from Rehau Industries, Kleiberit Adhesives and machinery supplier Biesse America.

“Demystifying the Dreaded Edgebander” was the over-riding theme of the February 18 event held in the main classroom and hands-on learning lab for the school’s wood tech program. Biesse America shipped in a mid-size Jade 225 edgebander just for the seminar.

“Our plan was to cover all the basics of edgebanding, while at the same time, getting as in-depth as possible with a topic that can be somewhat of a mystery for many manufacturers,” Patrick Molzahn, director of the Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program at Madison College, said. “I feel we accomplished that goal, and then some.”

Options stressed

Representing Rehau, Lisa Marasso, Account Manager/Furniture, stressed the need for choosing just the right edgeband material for any specific application.

“There are so many edging options available,” Marasso said. “Whether you’re talking about self-edge HPL, postforming, melamine, PUR, flexible edgebanding, soft-forming, veneer, lacquering, T-moulding, contour edgebanding, laser or hot air banding – or other options – there’s a world of opportunity out there.”

Jason Varelli, District Manager for Biesse America, a major supplier of panel processing and solid wood fabrication equipment, stressed the need to be aware of the various edgebanding machine options that are available to manufacturers.

“There are many edgebanding choices relative to the various stations you want to have on your edgebander,” Varelli said. “It all depends on your product mix and your market. Whether you’re talking about infeed options, glue pot choices, adhesive options, contour edgebanding, specialized trimming and buffing or other applications, there’s a world of options out there.”

Edgebanding demo

Biesse America and its regional distributor, the John G. Weber Co., Sheboygan, Wisconsin, hosted an edgebanding demonstration in the school’s main lab, showing attendees the basics of banding application and material handling.

Brian Janke, Sales Engineer for Kleiberit, USA, Inc., a supplier of adhesives for edgebanding and other bonding applications, spoke to the importance of being vigilant about de-lamination problems in the plant.

“Cohesive failure is typically caused by adhesive choice, heat, set time and pressure problems, to name a few,” Janke said. “Something simple, like bringing in your panels to a temperature and humidity stable environment at least one day before you band or press your substrate, can make a world of difference.”

More seminars

Molzahn’s Madison College program sponsors 3-4 seminars per year on a variety of wood-related topics. All seminars are open to manufacturers, educators, AWI/WCA EDUcation participants, students and other wood industry professionals.

“The topic for our next seminar has not yet been determined, but we are always open to new ideas and presenters”, said Patrick Molzahn. “We have one of the best facilities in the country and can demonstrate just about any process.” If you have something you’d like to see, you can contact him at [email protected].