Fluids on the edge banding machine – guide
Glue residue on the panel, chips on the edge, a dull radius or a protective film that peels off – the cause can almost always be traced to a specific point on the edge banding machine. Each station has a different job: releasing, protecting, cooling, cleaning. That is why each position needs the right fluid – in the right quantity, with the right nozzle.
The positions at a glance
Before the jointing cutter: release agent
Task: Hot-melt adhesive that squeezes out must not stick to the panel surface. The release agent is sprayed onto the upper and lower edge areas of the workpiece and leaves an evaporating protective film.
LcM® solution: Lc 2/10 release agent with the premium two-fluid nozzle · VOC-free: iRelease with the Ultra-Thin nozzle
Glue and pressing zone: protective agent
Task: Protect pressure rollers and sensitive surfaces from glue residue, marks and friction marks – and prevent the protective film from peeling off the edge band (important for high-gloss and acrylic edges).
LcM® solution: Lc 2/40 protective agent · for hot-air and laser machines: Lc 2/42-18
After the pressing zone, before the end trimming unit: antistatic cooling agent
Task: Cool the glue joint so that it sets faster and dissipate static charge. This keeps feeler rollers, tools and workpiece free of chips and glue residue.
LcM® solution: Lc 2/20 antistatic cooling agent · VOC-free: iRelease cools the joint in the same step
Before buffing wheels or flat scraper: cleaning agent
Task: Remove previously applied agents and loose glue residue, and additionally cool edge and joint – for a clean finish of the radius edge.
LcM® solution: Lc 2/30 cleaning agent · VOC-free: iClean
Before the BRUSH-tec®: BRUSH-tec® agent
Task: Clean and cool directly before brushing – matched to the brushes of the BRUSH-tec® ES and BRUSH-tec® E, the alternative to the buffing unit.
LcM® solution: BRUSH-tec® agent (solvent-free)
At the end of the machine, after the buffing wheels: water-repellent sealing
Task: Seal the transition from the top layer to the narrow surface so that no moisture can penetrate – important for kitchen and bathroom furniture, for example. The fluid is applied with the Ultra-Thin nozzle, penetrates and the excess evaporates without residue.
LcM® solution: Lc 2/55 HydroTec agent · further versions: Lc 2/56 and Lc 2/57
After the machine: surface cleaning
Task: Remove dust and residue from the panel surface before the parts are processed further or packed.
LcM® solution: BRUSH-tec® SF surface unit in seven working widths
Why a dedicated fluid for each position?
Each station has different requirements: before the jointing cutter you need a release film that glue does not stick to. After the pressing zone the joint must be cooled quickly and the edge discharged. Before buffing, fluid residues and loose glue must be removed cleanly. Our proven LcM® fluids such as Lc 2/10, Lc 2/20, Lc 2/30 and Lc 2/40 are designed for exactly this: there is a dedicated, matched fluid for each position – so every station can be set up and optimised individually. If you want to work solvent-free, choose the VOC-free system of iRelease and iClean – where a BRUSH-tec® ES is installed, BRUSH-tec® agent takes the place of iClean. Both lines can also be combined – for example proven fluids such as Lc 2/10 or Lc 2/30 with the VOC-free BRUSH-tec® agent.
Common problems on the edge banding machine – and what helps
Glue residue on the panel surface
Common causes are too much adhesive, an incorrectly set glue roller or missing or insufficient release agent. First check the application quantity and temperature. A release agent before the jointing cutter (position 1) prevents squeezed-out glue from sticking to the surface. On high-gloss surfaces glue residue is particularly hard to remove – clean release agent application pays off twice here.
Glue and deposits on pressure and feeler rollers
Dirty rollers leave marks, dents or scratches – operators often readjust the rollers instead of cleaning them. A protective agent in the pressing zone (position 2) keeps the rollers clean. Rollers that are already dirty should be cleaned first.
The protective film peels off the high-gloss or acrylic edge
Unsuitable fluids can attack the film. Lc 2/40, Lc 2/42-18 and iRelease are designed to prevent the protective film from peeling off the edge band.
Chips stick to the edge and panel
Plastic edges become statically charged during milling and attract chips. An antistatic cooling agent after the pressing zone (position 3) dissipates the charge, cools the joint and keeps feeler rollers and tools clean. A well-adjusted extraction system also helps.
Dull or white radius edge (stress whitening)
After milling and scraping, the radius often looks dull or pale. Make sure tools are sharp and the chip at the profile scraper is small. A cleaning agent before the buffing wheels (position 4) or BRUSH-tec® agent before the BRUSH-tec® (position 5) support an even finish.
Visible or open glue line
Causes are usually glue temperature, pressure, feed rate, cold panels or a blunt jointing cutter. A cooled joint sets faster – antistatic cooling agent and cleaning agent additionally cool edge and joint. With dark decors, a coloured adhesive helps.
How much fluid do I need – and why does the nozzle matter so much?
Overdosing costs money and can leave residue, too little fluid does not work. What matters is a fine, even spray exactly on the edge areas. The premium two-fluid nozzle and the Ultra-Thin nozzle can be finely adjusted, aligned reproducibly with the nozzle gauges and monitored with the Spray Monitor. When you use LcM® fluids, we give a lifetime guarantee on our spray systems.
Containing VOC or VOC-free?
Classic solvent-based fluids evaporate quickly, but they are flammable and count as VOC emissions (see the respective safety data sheet). The VOC-free products iRelease and iClean or BRUSH-tec® agent are applied in an ultra-thin layer with the Ultra-Thin nozzle. We will be happy to work out together which line suits your machine.
Do the fluids suit my machine?
LcM® fluids and spray technology are used in edge banding machines from various manufacturers – in new machines as well as for retrofitting. Learn more on our page machine manufacturer partners.
Do you have a specific problem on your edge banding machine? Send us a photo or describe the situation – we will recommend the right fluid for each position and help with the setup.
Note: This information does not replace the technical data sheets and safety data sheets. Please observe the information on storage, labelling and transport in the respective safety data sheet.
Practical guides: common questions in detail
- Release agent residue and streaks on the panel: how to find the cause
- Cleaning agent before buffing: what it does – and why more is not better
- Avoid glue and PUR residue after edge banding instead of reworking by hand
- Setting spray nozzles on the edge banding machine correctly
- Assessing spray fluid consumption correctly: why low consumption is not a fault
- Chips sticking to the edge: effectively dissipating static charge
- Switching to VOC-free fluids: what changes on the edge banding machine
- Maintaining the spray system: clogged nozzles, porous lines, nozzle replacement
- White or dull radius edge: causes and remedies
- Teaching the CLOU® level monitoring correctly
- Safety data sheet, dangerous goods, storage: FAQ on process fluids
- Sealing the edge against moisture: water-repellent treatment directly in the edge banding machine
To take away: nozzle guide as PDF
All positions, the nozzle comparison and the setting aid on two pages. Download PDF