Open Access

The edgebanding process, i.e. the covering of the raw edge of the laminated particleboard by means of decorative plastic or real wood veneer bands, is an important process step in the manufacture of furniture components. The quality of the final product is significantly influenced by this production step. The manufacturing process step within the edgebanding machine begins with the milling of the raw edge. The quality of the edgebanding process is determined by a large number of process input variables, such as the tool used and the cutting geometry, the type of laminate used for the wood-based material, adhesives, etc. The quality of the edgebanding process is also determined by the type of material processed. Particularly with regard to the materials, the increased use of recycled wood in the particleboard sector and different types of adhesives (with reduced formaldehyde emissions) results in increased demands on the milling process. Due to this developments, most of the earlier investigations (in the years 1990 - 2000) are not comparable with today’s general conditions. The mechanical and optical properties of the edge applied to the end product are decisively influenced by the quality of this joint. The milling technology used, as well as the tool used for this purpose and its condition, is a decisive influencing factor in the formation of quality. Tests on the indication of various influencing variables in the edgebanding process at the Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences showed that in the case of chipboard milling, a decrease in the electrical power required for the cutting process can take place with increasing tool wear. It was also demonstrated that previous process steps in furniture production, such as panel dividing by means of sawing or milling/nesting, generally have a significantly different influence on the subsequent joining process during edge banding process. Furthermore, a direct correlation was determined between the mechanical properties of the end product and the condition of the tool used, which can be used as a measurable indicator. In addition to the effect of the tool condition on the mechanical properties of the edge banding, this also has an impact on the optical quality characteristics. Accordingly, it could be demonstrated here that an increase in the size and number of chippings takes place in the laminate of the board material to be processed.