Edge banding machines work by using a motor-driven transmission system to rotate the edge banding blades, thereby banding the panels.

Edge banding machines come in various types: manual edge banding devices, manual edge banding machines, and automatic edge banding machines. The following describes the working principles of different edge banding machines.

Manual edge banding devices: During the edge banding process, the operator aligns a pre-glued edge band with the workpiece, then presses it against a heater to melt the glue and solidify it, completing the edge banding. This manual edge banding device is easy to operate and simple in structure, requiring only a single heater. However, its disadvantages are that the workpiece edge banding length is limited by the heater's length and the quality of the seal is inconsistent, making it suitable only for small factories and individual producers.

Manual edge banding devices: During the edge banding process, the operator presses the workpiece against a pressing roller and advances it forward. The edge banding strip or tape is applied to the workpiece edge along the feed direction between the workpiece and the pressing roller. This type of edge banding machine generally uses pre-glued edge bands or tape. During the sealing process, only the edge band is heated to melt the glue and seal it to the workpiece edge. A manual edge banding machine typically consists of an edge banding heater, a pressing roller, an edge banding cutter, and a work surface. Typically, after the edge banding is completed, the workpiece is trimmed to remove any excess width and length of the edge banding. Some manual edge banding machines are equipped with a power head for this purpose, making operation more convenient and efficient. Due to their simple structure, this type of machine is particularly suitable for sealing the edges of smaller workpieces and is therefore widely used in small panel furniture factories.

Automatic edge banding machines consist of a feed mechanism, an edge banding conveyor, a gluing mechanism, a pressing roller, a milling device, and a sanding mechanism. The edge banding process of this edge banding machine is fully mechanized and automated. The operator simply adjusts the machine and feeds the workpiece onto the conveyor belt. The edge banding strip or tape automatically tracks the workpiece's movement. The gluing mechanism automatically applies the appropriate amount of glue to the workpiece's edge. The pressing rollers then press the strip or tape onto the workpiece's edge. The end head and edge milling mechanism then automatically track the workpiece, milling away any excess width and length. An automatically oscillating sanding mechanism at the machine's discharge end sands the edges of the wooden edge banding, resulting in a smooth and aesthetically pleasing edge. This automatic edge banding machine features continuous feeding and high efficiency, with feed speeds reaching 9 to 45 m/min. Due to its high production efficiency and complex structure, this edge banding machine is commonly used in large-scale wood-based panel surface processing and panel furniture manufacturing.

Depending on the shape of the edge surface of the workpiece being banded, edge banding machines can be divided into straight-edge edge banding machines and profiled edge banding machines. Straight-edge edge banding machines are suitable for banding rectangular, square, and other shaped workpieces. Profiled edge banding machines can seal various shaped edges, as long as the curves forming the profile are appropriate, the edge banding strips will not break, and adhesive application will not be affected. Profiled edge banding machines are generally equipped with an automatic edge banding unit. Their structure is essentially the same as that of straight-edge edge banding machines, with the difference being that after the workpiece enters the edge banding machine and before the edge bands follow the workpiece, a profiled milling cutter assembly mills the straight edge into the desired profiled edge. To prevent splitting of the workpiece edge during milling, the milling unit typically utilizes two milling heads with opposite cutting directions. The cutter heads have an automatic approach and disengagement function during milling.

During the edge banding process, the edge banding machine also compresses and trims the edge of the sheet material to ensure a smooth, neat edge. The finished sheet material is then discharged via a conveyor belt, completing the entire edge banding process.