What is the difference between hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding and laser edge Edgebanding!
Edge Edgebanding is one of the important processes in the production of panel furniture. Which is better or worse for hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding or laser edge Edgebanding, or do they each have their own advantages and disadvantages? Many furniture designers have faced such confusion when choosing edge Edgebanding solutions. Today, Luban Garden will share a deep analysis article from Henkel adhesive technology expert Deng Dun to answer your questions and doubts.
In the production process of panel furniture, edge Edgebanding is one of the most important processes, and the quality of edge Edgebanding directly affects the final effect of panel furniture use. The adhesion between the adhesive and the edge banding strip during the edge banding process of the board has a significant impact on the overall effect of furniture edge banding.
At present, the most common method in the domestic market is to use hot melt adhesive technology for edge Edgebanding. In addition, laser edge Edgebanding technology, as a new emerging panel Edgebanding technology in recent years, has gradually entered the furniture edge Edgebanding market.
So, what is a laser edge banding machine? What is laser edge banding technology? What are the advantages of laser edge banding? What is the difference between laser edge banding technology and traditional hot melt adhesive edge banding? What is the future development trend of edge Edgebanding for panel furniture? This article will discuss the edge Edgebanding technology of panel furniture around the above core issues.
What is the difference between hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding and laser edge Edgebanding? These accounts need to be calculated clearly!
What is plate edge banding?
Edge Edgebanding materials (PVC/ABS/PP/PMMA wood veneer, solid wood strips, and HPL, etc.) are bonded to the edges of the board through an edge Edgebanding machine to achieve the purpose of decoration and protection, which is called edge Edgebanding. According to different process equipment, it can be divided into manual edge banding, machining center edge banding, linear edge banding, and soft forming edge banding.
What is high-quality edge Edgebanding:
① Impeccable appearance quality: The adhesive line is fine, the color of the adhesive line is consistent with the board surface and edge banding, the board surface is clean, without residual adhesive, and the edge banding is flat and free from bumps and bumps;
② Qualified bonding strength: peeling force of 60-120 N/18mm, taking into account the material failure rate;
③ Durable durability: resistance to cold and hot cycles, heat resistance, water resistance, solvent resistance, and weather resistance.
Conditions for high-quality edge Edgebanding:
High quality boards and edge Edgebanding materials are used to achieve high-quality edge Edgebanding in suitable climates and qualified equipment.
02 Current mainstream edge banding methods and equipment
Hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding:
By using professional sol equipment, the hot melt adhesive is melted and evenly applied to the board, and then subjected to physical or chemical reactions with the edge Edgebanding material to form a certain tensile adhesive nail inside the board, thereby achieving a perfect combination of the board and the edge Edgebanding strip.
Laser edge Edgebanding:
The laser converges a high-energy laser beam onto the laser edge banding belt through a mirror that swings back and forth. The high-energy laser quickly melts the functional layer of the edge banding belt, and then presses the edge banding belt onto the workpiece through a pressure wheel mechanism. After cutting, initial repair, precision repair, tracking and rounding, the purpose of edge banding is achieved. Therefore, laser edge banding requires a laser edge banding machine and laser edge banding tape.
Laser edge banding and hot melt adhesive edge banding have similar work units except for the different methods of gluing (laser melting functional layer can be considered as a special gluing method).
At present, edge banding equipment on the market is divided into manual edge banding machines, automatic edge banding machines, linear edge banding machines, bevel edge banding machines, curve edge banding machines, hot melt adhesive edge banding machines, laser edge banding machines, and so on according to different functions.
03 Analysis of the Market Prospects for Edge Edgebanding
The edge Edgebanding quality is most intuitive and visible:
With the continuous development of the furniture industry and the continuous improvement of people’s quality of life, consumers have higher expectations for environmental protection and product quality. Consumer demand for furniture has undergone a shift from quantitative to qualitative. The decline of traditional civilian furniture and the rise of whole house customized furniture are inevitable trends in market supply and demand, as well as industrial development. The concept of high definition gradually deepens in people’s hearts, and the vigorous development of high definition industry is unstoppable.
For consumers, any lofty concept is just a brainstorming exercise. Realistically implemented, when purchasing furniture, the edge Edgebanding effect of the furniture is visible to the naked eye, which is the most intuitive and easiest way to recognize; The high-end materials advocated by merchants are just an abstract term, making it difficult to achieve long-term waves in the hearts of consumers. However, the quality of edge banding can provide consumers with an intuitive experience for a long time.
What is the difference between hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding and laser edge Edgebanding? These accounts need to be calculated clearly!
New Trends in Edge Edgebanding Technology:
Diamond cutting edge banding and six sided seamless edge banding are recent trends in the field of edge banding technology, which have elevated the quality of edge banding to a new level.
So what is diamond cutting edge banding? What is six sided seamless edge Edgebanding? Simply put, diamond cutting edge banding is the synchronous line cutting of the edge banding belt during edge banding processing, achieving the goal of diamond lines and achieving the perfect visual impact of edge banding. Six sided seamless edge banding is another term for laser edge banding: no edge banding marks, no adhesive lines, and perfect edge banding. In short, these concepts are all explanations and reflections of perfect edge banding.
How to adapt to future market demands:
The market has such high expectations for edge banding, so how can tens of thousands of furniture production enterprises in China adapt to the almost stringent requirements of matching? The answer is to continuously improve the process, equipment, and technology.
However, the improvement of process and technology requires sedimentation, and various production enterprises need to explore or learn from it for years and months. More challenging is that equipment improvements require significant investment, such as laser edge banding machines. In the current fiercely competitive market environment, who can guarantee that huge investments will not be wasted?
Faced with such a competitive and uncertain environment, the vast majority of furniture companies that have been fluctuating in China’s nearly 20 years of rapid development still adhere to their original intentions and firmly follow their own path. Although laser edge banding technology is very cutting-edge, it is destined to face a situation of mediocrity due to huge equipment investment, high usage costs, and significant after-sales maintenance – at least for a considerable period of time in the future. We can see the answer from the European and American markets that have been leading us for decades.
Traditional hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding still dominates:
Here is a set of data:
① The price of a laser edge banding machine ranges from 2.8 to 5.2 million yuan per unit, and the price of laser edge banding belts ranges from 3 to 5 yuan per meter;
② There are a total of over 70 laser edge banding machines on the Chinese market, while there are over one million ordinary edge banding machines, with laser edge banding machines accounting for less than one tenth of a million;
③ In 2020, the total sales of laser edge banding machines were less than 40 units (which is already an astronomical number). According to incomplete statistics, the annual sales of ordinary edge banding machines are no less than 30000 units, with laser edge banding machine sales accounting for one thousandth.
These data tell us that laser edge banding is not a wolf, it is just a beautiful tree in a large forest and a spray in the surging river water.
In summary, traditional hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding still holds an absolute position in the market. With the continuous progress of edge banding technology, equipment accuracy, adhesive and edge banding materials, traditional hot melt adhesive edge banding will be infinitely close to laser edge banding. Nowadays, high-quality PUR edge banding can almost rival laser edge banding.
Cost comparison between 04 hot melt adhesive and laser edge Edgebanding
We have already mentioned the huge investment of laser edge banding in equipment. Leaving aside equipment depreciation, let’s compare the costs of traditional EVA edge banding, PUR edge banding, and laser edge banding. Take the most commonly used cabinet floor panel on the market as an example.
What is the difference between hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding and laser edge Edgebanding? These accounts need to be calculated clearly!
Cabinet door panel size: 600mm (L) * 400mm (W) * * 18mm (H), with the same board used for edge Edgebanding;
EVA average price: 15 yuan/kg; PUR average price: 65 yuan/kg; ABS edge banding for ordinary door panels costs 1.5 yuan/meter; The average price of laser edge banding is 4 yuan/meter
Edge Edgebanding type
cost accounting
total
Laser edge Edgebanding
2 meters * 4 yuan/meter=8 yuan
8 yuan
EVA edge Edgebanding
Glue: 2 meters * 0.018 meters * 0.25 kilograms/square meter * 15 yuan=0.135 yuan
Sideband: 2 meters * 1.5 yuan/meter=3 yuan
3.135 yuan
PUR edge Edgebanding
Glue: 2 meters * 0.018 meters * 0.15 kilograms/square meter * 65 yuan=0.35 yuan
Sideband: 2 meters * 1.5 yuan/meter=3 yuan
3.335 yuan
Note: The average adhesive amount for EVA is 250g/㎡, while the average adhesive amount for PUR is 150g/㎡
Because the sales of door panels are priced per square meter, the cost of converting them to one square meter is as follows:
Edge Edgebanding type
Cost per square meter
Laser edge Edgebanding
1/(0.4 * 0.6) * 8 ≈ 33 yuan/㎡
EVA edge Edgebanding
1/(0.4 * 0.6) * 3.135 ≈ 13.06 yuan/㎡
PUR edge Edgebanding
1/(0.4 * 0.6) * 3.335 ≈ 13.896 yuan/㎡
As mentioned above, the cost of laser edge Edgebanding is much higher than that of hot melt adhesive. If combined with high equipment depreciation, high equipment maintenance, and more stringent usage conditions, it will make the vast majority of furniture production enterprises hesitant.
Here, some people may say that as domestic laser edge banding machines and domestic laser edge banding belts enter the market, the cost of laser edge banding will significantly decrease. Unfortunately, it takes time to explore and precipitate. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, the ordinary hot melt adhesive and ordinary edge banding technology are undoubtedly constantly improving. And the progress in this field will be faster than the development of domestic laser edge banding machines and domestic laser edge banding belts.
Comparison of Performance between 05 Hot Melt Adhesive Edge Edgebanding and Laser Edge Edgebanding
We will conduct a detailed analysis of the performance differences between hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding, PUR edge Edgebanding, and laser edge Edgebanding through three tables.
EVA hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding
Reaction principle
Thermoplasticity, physical reaction, reversible
equipment
Ordinary edge banding machine
equipment investment
low
working temperature
180-210 ℃ (open type)
Sideband price
0.5-1.8 yuan/meter
Glue Price
10-30 yuan/kg
Glue application amount
200-300g/㎡
Edge Edgebanding quality
difference
strength
Low (60-100N)
VOC emissions
100-200g/L
tolerance
The adhesive thread is thick (0.1-0.2mm), with poor water resistance, weather resistance, heat resistance, and solvent resistance. It is resistant to yellowing for 1-2 years and is prone to mold growth;
energy consumption
high
Maintenance costs
low
PUR hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding
Reaction principle
Reactive polyurethane, cross-linking chemical reaction, irreversible
equipment
PUR sol system+ordinary edge banding machine
equipment investment
Lower
working temperature
130-150 ℃ (semi open)
Sideband price
0.5-1.8 yuan/meter
Glue Price
55-75 yuan/kg
Glue application amount
70-150g/㎡
Edge Edgebanding quality
higher
strength
High (>140N, final)
VOC emissions
<100g/L
tolerance
The adhesive thread is very thin (0.03-0.05mm), with the best water resistance, weather resistance, heat resistance, and solvent resistance. It is resistant to yellowing for 5-10 years and is not prone to mold growth
energy consumption
moderate
Maintenance costs
in
Laser edge Edgebanding
Reaction principle
Thermoplasticity, physical reaction, reversible
equipment
Laser generator+high-end edge banding machine
equipment investment
Very high
working temperature
500-800 ℃ (sealed)
Sideband price
Small batch>4 yuan/meter (imported brand)
Glue Price
0
Glue application amount
0
Edge Edgebanding quality
highest
strength
Medium (100-130N)
VOC emissions
No relevant data currently available
tolerance
At the initial stage, there is no adhesive line, but after a period of time, the adhesive line becomes prominent, with good water resistance, weather resistance, heat resistance, and solvent resistance. It is resistant to yellowing for 5-10 years and is not prone to mold growth
energy consumption
low
Maintenance costs
high
What is the difference between hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding and laser edge Edgebanding? These accounts need to be calculated clearly!
▲ Henkel hot melt adhesive and laser edge Edgebanding
Comparison of tensile strength (EVA>laser edge Edgebanding)
The challenges and solutions faced by 06 traditional hot melt adhesives
Faced with the challenges brought by laser edge banding technology in the edge banding market, the vast number of hot melt adhesive edge banding enterprises that occupy an absolute leading position in the market should have a clear understanding: find a market positioning that is suitable for their own factory, do not blindly follow the trend, and do not underestimate themselves.
By relying on constantly innovating hot melt adhesive technology, constantly innovating edge Edgebanding processes, and constantly introducing new edge Edgebanding materials, we can fully cultivate our own field and compete with laser edge Edgebanding, which represents advanced productivity. The future is still very bright. In the Chinese market with a huge population base, demand has a pyramid structure, and the majority of ordinary consumers still adhere to the basic principle of cost-effectiveness as the king.
What is the difference between hot melt adhesive edge Edgebanding and laser edge Edgebanding? These accounts need to be calculated clearly!
We cannot hesitate, continuous innovation is the ultimate solution. Rather than saying that laser edge banding poses a crisis for hot melt adhesive edge banding, it is better to say that laser edge banding serves as a warning for hot melt adhesive edge banding and clearly guides the future development direction: perfect edge banding.
For traditional hot melt adhesive producers, achieving the best possible edge Edgebanding is both a challenge and an opportunity. To achieve seamless edge Edgebanding, hot melt adhesive production enterprises are required to continuously improve the adhesive formula, reduce the amount of adhesive applied, continuously reduce the adhesive line, and strive to achieve the same color as the edge strip while ensuring sufficient strength and good durability. Moreover, the performance of adhesive in terms of aging resistance, yellowing resistance, and mold resistance should also be innovated and followed up simultaneously.
It is particularly emphasized that the market prospects of PUR hot melt adhesive are very bright, and it will increasingly seize the market share of EVA hot melt adhesive.
07 written at the end
Our generation of furniture practitioners has been fortunate to have experienced 30 years of ups and downs in the Chinese furniture industry. I have experienced the grinding of small workshops, sensed the sprouts of industrial production, experienced the pain of industrial transformation, experienced anti-dumping investigations by Europe and America against the Chinese furniture industry, and witnessed the market’s waves of sand washing, survival of the fittest.
Now, we are participating in the rolling wave of digital production in the furniture industry together. Throughout the 30 year development process of China’s furniture industry, we have been constantly striving for success and failure, and our experiences will be engraved into the history of furniture production.
Laser edge banding and hot melt adhesive edge banding will have their own various sub fields and sub markets, either advancing side by side or both, but they all have a common goal and direction: to achieve perfect edge banding of furniture. Let’s witness the blooming of a hundred flowers and the competition of a hundred schools of thought in the edge banding market together.
