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Print ArticleOne of the most prominent features of any countertop is its edge treatment. Be it a straight, round or decorative edge, the possibilities are endless and, if you have the time, designs can become very intricate and labor intensive. At Surface Fabrication magazine, we're always looking for ways to help you make your shop work for you, and so we've gone out and collected information on a number of different edge profiling equipment that can take care of your edging needs from A to Z (or at least from bullnose to waterfall). We hope that as you look through the next few pages, the information provided will turn your feet per minute woes into feet per minute savings and help your shop stay on the cutting edge.
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The Egar N Series CNC machining center incorporates cutting technology and utilizes the
latest digital drive system technology. In addition, Z. Bavelloni has upgraded the PC on
new models. The range of processes of the machine include drilling, milling, edging, artistic
and geometric bas-reliefs, writing, engraving and the production of sinks from solid blocks
and disc-cutting among others. |
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The Betterley AIR GLIDE Router Base attaches to hand-held routers to reduce operator fatigue
and provide feedback and control of the cutting process, resulting in increased accuracy
and smoother surface finishes. Incorporating individually metered air chambers ensures that
the base is effective whether the router base entirely, or only partially, contacts the material,
such as when cutting edge profiles. |
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Edgetech's Core Builders are designed to produce particleboard wood cores typically
used for countertops, bar tops and other laminated products. Typically produced edge profiles
include waterfall, full-wrap and no-drip. With an optional touch screen system, the desired
combinations of horizontal or vertical spindle shapers are automatically moved into working
position |
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The DIA-PRO X-TREME edger machines from Granite City Tool are available in two
models: the 3-hp variable speed and the 11⁄2-hp single speed. The machines have
adjustable height knobs and lock knobs to ensure accurate edging. Both models come standard
with the company's hydroplaning base to reportedly prevent scratching of
the stone surface and allow for easy operation. |
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The Prussiani Engineering New Generation is a 5-axis CNC straight-line edger/polisher with
a high working speed for quick production, reports the company. Advantages of the
machine include an automatic revolving eight-station tool changer, and electronic and laser
presetting. |
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ITI Diamond Tools offers portable router bits for premium profiles such as triple pencil,
cove ogee, cove dupont and waterfall. The seven step system will provide a complete shaping
and polishing solution for complicated profiles. Profiling bits can be ordered for 3- and
4-cm stone countertops which fit on standard portable routers. |
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Lobo Machinery's shape and sand machine is designed for raised panel door or
profile edging jobs. The machine has two rows of heavy-duty spring pressure rolls with track
belts at the top to hold the material and prevent sliding. The sanding head can be equipped
with brush, flap wheel or profile disc for a finish at one pass. Optional auto sanding wheel
compensations and floating head are available for arch cutting. |
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The Marmo Meccanica LTV, from Marmo Machinery USA, is a vertical edge polishing machine
for flat and round edges from 1 to 6 cm in thickness. The LTV is fully automatic, which allows
operators to quickly and easily select various edge details on granite or marble slabs by
pushing a few buttons, reports the company. Accessories include an automatic positioning
device for the first auto-shaping mandrel and/or the chamfers, and electronic starting for
the pneumatic mandrels. |
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The Park Velocity's smart spindle has the capability of profiling edges with two radii.
With a touch screen, fabricators can profile seven different programmed edges while having
the flexibility of adding additional profiles into the directory. The changeover from edge
to edge is done with servo camming programming vs. the traditional physical stops. The seven
heads can also shape and polish 2 to 6 cm of natural stone or quartz materials up to 12 ft.
in length and width. |
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Regent Machine Corporation has added machinery from ScandInvent to its inventory. The Edgetec
3500 is a C-Frame straight-line machine featuring an automatic tool changer, nine preprogrammed
edges and an easy-to-operate computer, reports the company. The machine is capable of producing
up to 300 ft. of flat polishing or 100 ft. of bullnose edge in an eight-hour shift. |
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The LOLA 4000, available through Salem Stone, is a versatile edge polisher capable of producing
edge profiles on straight marble and granite pieces from 3.15-in.-wide strips up to 7-ft.
8-in.-wide slabs to a mirror finish utilizing four mobile frontal heads. The starting of
each individual motor as well as the frontal pressure of the grinding units against the workpiece
are automatically activated and controlled by the passage of the workpiece. |
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The ShopBot PRSalpha and PRSstandard are often used for edge profiling, reports the company.
The CNC systems take many profiling bits and are frequently used to cut molding, profiled
tabletops and furniture details. The machines come with tool, table and software and are
available in 13 sizes, as well as in systems that can be custom-built to your specifications. |
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Northwood Manufacturing Company has three models of stone routers. The NW-126EDS features
a footprint which will fit through a 10-ft. doorway. The 32-tool position automatic tool
changer handles four complete profiles with additional space for finger bits, drills, etc.
The company's optional Smart Tool System (STS) gives each router the capacity for infinite
tools and profile set options. |
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Sommer & Maca's MultiFab Workstation can be used to cut, profile, polish and drill
stone. The 5-hp spindle motor swivels and locks at 90 degrees to mount saw blades up to 14
in. in diameter for cutting stone slabs. The cutting head is moved manually and follows templates
or guides built into profile wheels. The workstation deck can handle slabs up to 800 lbs.
and 30 in. wide by 130 in. long. |
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Superior Stone Equipment manufactures two different edge profiling and polishing machines.
The Edge Xpress 1000, designed for flat polish and backsplash work, is a nine-head machine
with six polishing heads, two chamfering heads and one multispindle head for routing of different
shapes. The Edge Xpress 2000, designed for flat, bevel and bull shaping and polish work,
has a single head and heavy-duty construction. |
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Techno CNC Inc. offers two new LC "X" model machines designed for the solid
surface market. The large format machines are equipped with 10-hp spindle, vacuum hold-down,
automatic template copier probe and software. In addition, the machine's standard drive
components consist of ball screws on all three axes with high-speed, closed-loop servomotors
and drives. |
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Thibaut's T55 Advance Edge Processor provides automatic edge profiles. The edge processor
offers versatility, reliability and ease of use for straight edges from 20 to 80 mm. Its
capacity for pieces up to 3,800 mm (approx. 12 ft. 6 in.) in length and its 16-tool magazine,
allow the edge processor to easily change from sawing to shaping and polishing reports the
company. |
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The Flying Bull, from US Granite Machinery, is a state-of-the-art in-line edge detailing
machine. It is designed to profile and polish edges on marble, granite and engineered stone
between 2- and 10-cm thick. Any type of round, flat or round and flat edge can be programmed
and created using the touch-screen display. The machine can produce a finished quality edge
of 3-cm bull nose at 1 fpm, reports the company. It is equipped with one multifunction spindle,
two beveling units and a six-head profiling and polishing unit. |
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USG Robotics has announced the first robotic profiling solution for the stone fabricating
industry. RoboEdge is a state-of-the-art, 6-axis Robotic Edge Profiling System RCNC (robotic
computer numerical control) with a 15-hp router controlled and operated by RoboLogic Software.
The robots are fast, consistent and easy to maintain, with minimal requirements, according
to the company. The robotic technology can be upgraded to expand into an ultimate operation
for maximum efficiency. |
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The Quasar Tech, from VIC International, is an automatic, multiprofile, single head
edge polisher and offers a polished, profiled edge on any type of granite, marble or engineered
stone. The machine features the patented proportional control pressure (PCP) that maintains
a consistent polishing pressure along the entire profile. It can also process a wide
variety of profile and flat edges, and will even make the initial cut on an ogee edge. |
