The SEB2720 comes standard with a pneumatically operated gate unit . the infeed end, which prevents any workpieces from being fed through while others are being processed

All the units on display hinted at the basic design imperatives that Sunghwa engineers considered important when designing each. The units displayed, bar the "Devin'; included the SEB1340S (dustless) edgebander, the SEB2720, PLC controlled, high production edgebanding unit and the SEF1400M edgefoiling machine. First impression is that each unit is extremely simple to operate. In this instance, reference can be made to the programmable logic controller (PLC) control interface of the SEB2720. Despite the use of touch screen technology, the changeover between the required glue quantities for edges going onto MDF as opposed to particleboard is mediated through the push of a button. When the MDF function is activated, the PLC unit also informs the operator of the MDF functionality engaged and similarly so with the edging of particleboard.

The guillotine unit on the SEB1340S. Precision engineered, the unit reads and trims off edging flush to corner. Given its slicing action, the chattering normally found on corners is absent.

Secondly, innovative technology is found throughout all of the units on display. Sunghwa's solution to trimming down applied edges to the appropriate width is most striking in this regard. In both the SEB 1340S and SEB2720, the top/bottom trimming units have trimming knives that trim edges down to the correct width as opposed to the spinning blade trimming unit commonly found on most edgebanders. This effectively eliminates chatter marks on edging due the turning action of the trimming unit blades. Mention could also be made of the pneumatically operated gate unit at the infeed end of the SEB2720, which prevents any workpieces from being fed through while others are being processed. Damage to downstream processing units is therefore prevented and the occurrence of uncompleted workpieces requiring a second feed through is effectively eliminated.

The third feature that impressed was the modular nature of all of the units on display. Each unit is fully customisable and can be retrofitted to the specific requirements of the customer. Small to medium sized outfits can acquire functionality that does not

The two corner rounding units on the SEB2720 capable of corner rounding in radius increments of between 0, 1 and 2 mm. The track system (x-axis) on which the rounding units are mounted, permits each unit to "follow" a corner while passing by with the hydraulic lift (y-axis) permitting for the corner to be rounded from top to bottom

include features not required. Capital goods expenditure budgets therefore needn't go pear shape due to technology acquired that does not pay for itself. Medium to large companies interested in volume processing can similarly choose to beef up a unit in order for it to comply with their specific parameters. Retrofitting a unit similarly does not mitigate against the essential qualities that are purchased when deciding on a Sunghwa unit.

The quality of the end-product processed by the units on display also impressed. Specific instances that impressed in this regard was the quality finished on edges applied by both the SEB1430 and SEB2720 enabled by, amongst others, end trimming guillotine units that again cut as opposed to using a spinning blade configuration, the absence of chattering, the chamfering of edges and finally the buffing units to rid edging of excess glue that previously required manual intervention.

An example of 0,5 mm ABS edging applied by the SEB 14305 on particleboard.

The SEF1400M edge foiler in turn advances the quality of the edges applied via the two edgebanders further by foiling, through hotstamp processing, foil onto edges to deliver an end-product that eliminates overlaps on corners. Furthermore, the foiling done by the SEF 1400 eliminates gluelines totally to provide for a uniform and flawless transition between foiled edging and laminates on the faceside.

Quick facts on units showcased

The SEB1340S is capable of applying up to 1 mm thick PVC, ABS and polypropylene edging. It comes kitted out with the edge application unit, top and bottom trimming knives that trim, through a cutting action, the edges top and bottom to the correct width and eliminate chattering in the process. The end-trimming guillotine units slice excess edging off, again through a cutting action as opposed to a turning blade cutting action. All of the processing heads have limiting switches to enable the immediate cutoff of a head when it"reads"that components are following in too close succession. The buffing unit removes all traces of excess glue with no additional cleaning required after the processing of

edges. Primary advantage of the SEB 14305 is located in the fact that no dust extraction is required given the absence of milling heads. Secondly, the unit is capable of mass production as reflected by the 100 mm gap required between components. Its
feed rate is pinned at 13 m/minute. The operating interface is, as mentioned, extremely user friendly with functions limited to simple on/off controls.

Example of board once ABS edged and thereafter foiled. The glue lines and overlapping corners disappear in the process.

Most salient characteristics of the SEB2720 include motor controlled height adjustment, with the required height automatically communicated to all control surfaces where height is a factor. The gate, situated at the infeed end, automatically controls the infeed rate and will only open
once preceding components have reached a given point in the processing phase. The SEB2720 is armed with two milling heads for surface squaring and cleaning prior to edging. The first spins against the movement of the board and the second with the movement to prevent chip-out on the front and back surfaces of the edges. The adjustment of the glue pot for edging going onto MDF or particleboard is engaged, as mentioned, by the press of a button situated on the control panel. When either option is engaged, the angle of the doctor blade is adjusted to allow for more or less glue being applied.

The resultant benefit of knife trimming has been mentioned. However, to rid any sign of chatter on the edging, the SEB2720 is also provided with a scraping unit to smooth out any inconsistencies still remaining on the applied edges. The guillotine unit on the SEB2720, as mentioned previously, trim the left and right ends of edging through a knife cutting action, as opposed to a spinning blade action and as a result, chattering does not occur. The guillotine unit has also been upgraded and is touted as being capable of slicing through 3 mm PVC, ABS and polyprop edging. The 2720 also provides for corner rounding in increments of between 0,1 and 2 mm radiuses. Edging run on the SEB2720 includes PVC, ABS, polyprop, and specially prepared veneer edging. In PVC and ABS 1 mm edging can be run, in polyprop between 1 and 2 mm and in veneer, up to 2 mm. As mentioned, the SEB2720 is completely modular and can be retrofitted to customer specifications.

An example of 0,5 mm ABS edging applied by the SEB 14305 on particleboard.

The capabilities provided for by the SEF101 or "Devin" unit is made possible through basic yet proven technology that has ensured that close on 45 units are currently used throughout South Africa . The essential configuration includes a profiling head that comes in 100 + different profiles with customised profiles also available. Consequent to profiling, a light sanding unit ensures the surface quality of the profile cut. Next in line is the shaped hot stamping wheel that with heat and pressure applies the heat transfer foil onto the profiled edge. The foiled profiled side is thereafter exposed to cool air with the final stage being the removal of the backing tape. The"Devin" provides
producers of cabinetry with profiled edges with the ability to foil such edges and deliver a "wrapped" look at a fraction of the cost of cabinetry fully wrapped in vacuum membrane presses.

The last unit displayed by Woodfinish Management and the unit that consistently steals the show, is the SEF 1400M. As mentioned previously, the unit is used to foil previously applied ABS edging going onto particleboard, which completely eliminates gluelines and overlaps on corners. The finished product has a mitred corner finish and a uniform and flawless transition between foiled edging and laminates on the faceside. The secret to the SEF1400M's ability to provide for this flawless transition is found in the manner in which it applies chamfering to both the ABS edging and the board. Simultaneous with the chamfering of the ABS, a minuscule amount of the particleboard is also taken off. The 25 micron foil, when applied, now covers the chamfered profile on the particleboard to, et voila, provide for seamless transition between the foiling and the faceside laminate, a feat not readily duplicated by similarly specified machines.

The application of the foil starts with the initial brushing unit removing any trace of dust. After passing past three heads used for the application of the foil through heat and pressure onto the edging, a venturi system cools the foil down rapidly. The final phase entails the stripping off of the foil carrier.

The SEF1400M is the ideal platform to rid edged panels of omnipresent and unattractive gluelines that sully and detracts from the quality of the finished product not to mention the complete elimination of the overlapping corners.

Yet another full complement of enterprising technology from the Woodfinish Management team.