Stiles Machinery and Rehau joined together to host the first live U.S. demonstration of new laser edgebanding technology on Oct. 19 and 20 at Stiles Machinery's U.S. headquarters.

More than 80 people were on hand to view the Homag laserTec system during the two days. A number of industries were represented, including closet and home organization, office furniture manufacturers, custom woodworkers, ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturers and more.

The new Homag laserTec edgebander eliminates glue lines and provides a seamless look. The laser system consists of oscillating mirrors and a 3,000-Watt Class 4 diode laser (incorporated safety measures make it Class 1 rated) that is invisible to the human eye. The laser melts the glue layer on specially coated edgebands as demonstrated with Rehau's LaserEdge. It is available in PP, ABS or PMMA formulations. Doellken-Woodtape also offers a laser-activated edgeband, which it has dubbed Fusion Edge.

The Homag laserTec edgebander on display had a glue pot for applying traditional materials. But there is an alternative option for companies with existing inventories of edgebands. Kleiberit Adhesives offers LaserMelt, a laser-activated, pre-coating system that can be applied to conventional edgebands.

Introduced last year at Ligna, the Homag laserTec has been quickly embraced in Europe, said Doug Maat, product manager for the Homag product line of Stiles. More than 50 systems have been sold worldwide and the first laserTec in the U.S reportedly was sold to an unnamed office furniture manufacturer during the live demonstration.

View video of the Homag laserTec in action during the live demonstration at Stiles.

View video of the Homag laserTec in action during Ligna Hannover in May 2009.