Abstract:
An automated edge band application machine has a board drive assembly and an opposed caster wheel that together capture and move a work piece edge into engagement with a rotating roller banding guide with edge banding captured between. An adhesive affixes the edge banding to the work piece responsive thereto. An edging detector is located along the path of the work piece edge, in a position in advance of the board drive assembly, and is configured to detect a presence of edge band on the edge of the work piece. When the edging detector detects edging, or at a precise distance along the edge band thereafter, a cutting die assembly severs the edge band. The board drive assembly automatically adjusts to varying thickness work pieces, engages with a work piece major surface, and rotates in synchrony with a drive spindle assembly and the rotating roller banding guide.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 62/100,868 filed Jan. 7, 2015 of like title and having common inventors, the teachings and entire contents which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This inventions pertains generally to adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture, and more particularly to a surface bonding and assembly machine that wraps an indefinite running length flexible web onto a part. In one particular manifestation, the invention is an automated edge band applicator that precisely wraps both linear and non-linear work pieces. The machine severs the edge band from a spool to exactly wrap a part, independent of part-to-part variances. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In the fabrication of various tables, shelving, other furniture, and a wide variety of other diverse objects, laminated material is often used, where major surfaces are often comprised of a thin lamina having a desired finish, decorative appearance, resistance to soiling, or the like. These major surfaces often conceal the underlying substrate, which might for exemplary purpose comprise a Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) or other wood product or wood substitute. In such case, and without further finishing, the edges will betray the otherwise concealed MDF. Furthermore, these edges will often also be less durable, and easily damaged. Likewise, some wood products are produced with cut edges that are unfinished, porous, irregular or the like. 
         [0006]    To attain the desired finish, appearance, durability and the like, the edges may be covered with strips or bands of decorative and durable material. Often this edge band is formed through a plastic extrusion process, and the band after extrusion and cooling is wrapped about or into a spool. This edge band will most preferably be wrapped to precisely encompass the edge of the object, neither overlapping nor leaving an unconcealed gap. Overlap will create an unsightly protrusion that is also more likely to be separated from the object. A gap is also unsightly, and while less likely to be separated, still presents a distinct edge that might accidentally be snagged, undesirably placing great force and stress on the adhesion between the edge band and underlying substrate. Heretofore, the precision required to neither overlap nor leave a gap has not been attainable with affordable automated machinery. Particularly troublesome are non-linear edges such as are found on oval table tops and other artistic and decorative shapes, since typical manufacturing tolerance variations will lead to shorter or longer distances along the non-linear edge. This means that simply measuring a predetermined length of banding material will not ensure precise lapping of the ends of the edge banding. Instead, and particularly with non-rectilinear work pieces, substantial manual labor has been required in the prior art to severe and secure the edge band. 
         [0007]    Another challenge to automated banding has been associated with the edge band material. Depending upon the product, edge banding may be of diverse and sometimes inconsistent dimension. For exemplary purposes, some banding is quite thick, measuring 3 millimeters in thickness, while other banding is only one-half millimeter thick. As noted, there will also be tolerance based variation in these thicknesses, as well. The work piece thickness, which may dictate the width of the edge banding, might for exemplary purposes range from 10 to 60 millimeters. The design of an automated edge banding machine capable of handling the wide range of dimensions of edge banding used in the industry has been a stumbling point for much of the prior art. 
         [0008]    A number of US patents, the teachings and content which are incorporated herein by reference, are exemplary of the existing edge banding machines and processes: U.S. Pat. No. 2,748,046 by Works et al, entitled “Method of edge-surfacing woody products”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,741 by Miller et al, entitled “Apparatus for applying edging tape to the edge of a workpiece”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,626,806 by Fritz, entitled “Protective and decorative edging”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,479 by Helmes et al, entitled “Method for gluing a strip of material against the side of a flat work piece, like a table leaf, and a device for peforming this method”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,832 by Veneziale, entitled “Edge banding machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,762 by Rhoads, entitled “Portable edge bander”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,812 by Duewel, entitled “Hot air edge banding machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,504 by Jorde, entitled “Edge veneering”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,174 by Nakata et al, entitled “Apparatus for attaching a molding”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,688 by Darovic, entitled “Device for improving an edgebanding machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,938 by Maioli et al, entitled “Panel edge banding device”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,442 by Jesse et al, entitled “Edge band and edge banding process”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,582,179 by Jesse et al, entitled “Edge band and edge banding process”; U.S. Pat. No. 8,430,144 by Lin, entitled “Edge banding machine”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,443,858 by Lin, entitled “Edge banding machine”. 
         [0009]    Other US patents, the teachings and content which are incorporated herein by reference, are exemplary of prior art edge bands: U.S. Pat. No. 2,705,820 by Torrence, entitled “Molding strip”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,754 by Jakobsen, entitled “Edge bandings for articles of furniture”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,780 by Apissomian, entitled “Table with resilient edge”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,553 by Kolk, entitled “Furniture article with edge molding”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,857 by Shanok et al, entitled “Endless edge trim fabricated from an extruded profile”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,384 by Gilmore et al, entitled “Flexible molding strip having inserted decorative cord and furniture provided with such strips”. 
         [0010]    In addition to the foregoing patents, Webster&#39;s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition copyright 1983, is incorporated herein by reference in entirety for the definitions of words and terms used herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In a first manifestation, the invention is an automated edge band application machine. A board drive assembly moves a work piece into engagement with a rotating roller banding guide and with edge banding captured between. An adhesive affixes the edge banding to the work piece responsive to said capturing. An edging detector is located along the path of the work piece edge, in a position in advance of the board drive assembly, and is configured to detect a presence of edge band on the edge of the work piece. When the edging detector detects edging, or at a precise or at a precise distance along the edge band thereafter, a cutting die assembly severs the edge band. 
         [0012]    In a second manifestation, the invention is a board drive assembly operative within an automated edge band application machine to automatically adjust to a varying thickness of work piece, engage with a work piece major surface, and rotate to drive the work piece towards a roller banding guide. 
         [0013]    In a third manifestation, the invention is an edging application cell configured to apply edge banding to the edge of a generally planar work piece. The edging application cell has a position encoder assembly configured to measure a longitudinal distance of the edge banding passing adjacent to the position encoder assembly, a drive spindle assembly in rotating engagement with the edge banding, a cutting die assembly configured to sever a length of edge banding, an adhesive applicator configured to apply an adhesive to the edge banding, a roller banding guide, and a board drive assembly configured to engage a work piece and drive the work piece toward the roller banding guide, the drive spindle assembly, roller banding guide, and board drive assembly all driven by a single motive source through fixed transmission, whereby each of the drive spindle assembly, roller banding guide, and board drive assembly turn in synchrony. 
         [0014]    In a fourth manifestation, the invention is an edge band trimmer having a first cutter and a second cutter spaced from and opposed to the first cutter, thereby defining a gap between the first and second cutters. A turret has a plurality of rules affixed thereto, each of said plurality of rules pivotal with respect to the turret from a retracted position to a working position. The turret is rotatable about a turret axis, and through rotation about the turret axis selects which one of said plurality of rules will pivot into the gap between the first and second cutters. 
         [0015]    In a fifth manifestation, the invention is an edge band trimmer having a first cutter and a second cutter spaced from and opposed to the first cutter, thereby defining a gap between the first and second cutters. A first dust collection manifold has a cylindrical opening adjacent to and generally encompassing the first cutter. A second dust collection manifold has a cylindrical opening adjacent to and generally encompassing the second cutter. 
         [0016]    In a sixth manifestation, the invention is a cutting die assembly configured to cut edging within an automated edge band application machine. A plurality of edging guides guide edge band along a longitudinal path. The cutting die is offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal path, and will thereby sever the edge band at an angle offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal path. A board drive assembly moves a work piece into engagement with a rotating roller banding guide and with edge banding captured between. An adhesive affixes the edge banding to the work piece responsive to said capturing. An edging detector is located along the path of the work piece edge, in a position in advance of the board drive assembly, and is configured to detect a presence of edge band on the edge of the work piece. When the edging detector detects edging, or at a precise or at a precise distance along the edge band thereafter, a cutting die assembly severs the edge band. 
         [0017]    In a seventh manifestation, the invention is an edging application cell having an edge band inlet configured to receive edge band from a source spool. A plurality of edging guides guide edge band along a longitudinal path. A roller defines an axis of rotation and pinches the edge band against an opposed surface defining a generally planar surface. The roller axis of rotation is offset from parallel to the generally planar surface by a minor amount sufficient to bias the edge band into contact with the plurality of edging guides. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The present invention and the preferred and alternative embodiments have been developed with a number of objectives in mind. While it is possible that not all of these objectives are found in every embodiment, these objectives nevertheless provide a sense of the general intent and the many possible benefits that are available from embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0019]    A first object of the invention is to provide an apparatus operable to apply edge band to a work piece. A second object of the invention is to apply a precise length of edge band to match the perimeter of the work piece, independent of dimensional variations found in the work piece. Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the readily visible seam between the start and finish of the edge band. A further object of the invention is to ensure precision placement of the edge band that is much more rapid using the present invention than possible using techniques of the prior art. Another object of the present invention is to accommodate a wide dimensional range of work pieces and edge banding. An additional object of the invention is to provide all edging operations within a single machine apparatus. Yet another object of the invention is to provide efficient removal of ground material from an edging grinding operation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment automated edge band application machine designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a front and slightly elevated projected view. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a projected view of approximately the same orientation, but without the edge band dispensing table. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a projected view taken from the left side, front, and top side. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a projected view taken from the left side, rear, and top side. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a projected view taken from the right side, rear, and top side. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a top plan view. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a front elevation view. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a right side elevation view. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a rear elevation view. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  illustrates the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a left side elevation view. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  illustrates a preferred embodiment edging application cell assembly used in the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a front, slightly right side, and top perspective view. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  illustrates the preferred embodiment edging application cell assembly of  FIG. 11  from a front, right, and top perspective view. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate a preferred embodiment drive spindle assembly used in the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a front elevation view and vertical plane section view, respectively. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 15-20  illustrate a preferred embodiment glue pot assembly used in the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from front projected, top, side projected, side elevational, sectional view along a vertical plane illustrated by section line  19 ′, and sectional view along a vertical plane illustrated by section line  20 ′, respectively. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrate a preferred embodiment glue dispenser assembly used in the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from side and front elevation views, respectively. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 23-25  illustrate a preferred embodiment board drive assembly used in the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from rear and front elevation views and a vertical plane section view taken along section line  25 ′, respectively. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 26-30  depict the preferred embodiment guillotine cutting die assembly from rear projected, front projected, top, front and side views, respectively. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 31-33  provide various viewing angles of the band, encoder, and guillotine cutting die assemblies from generally front projected, top plan, and rear projected views, respectively. 
           [0039]      FIG. 34  illustrates the laser assembly mounted upon a board driving roller from front projected view. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 35-37  illustrate the preferred embodiment edging application cell of  FIGS. 11 and 12  from projected view, and successively sectioned by a horizontal plane at progressively lower elevation above the base, and while also in  FIG. 37  retaining the edge band  15  and several banding guides. 
           [0041]      FIG. 38  illustrates the preferred embodiment edging application cell of  FIG. 37  but from a rear and bottom projected view. 
           [0042]      FIGS. 39-42  depict a preferred embodiment grinder used in the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from right side elevational, front and slightly left projected, front and left side elevational, and front elevational views, respectively. 
           [0043]      FIG. 43  illustrates the preferred embodiment edging application cell of  FIGS. 11 and 12  from a front elevational view, enlarged to illustrate in the vicinity of the edging passing in contact with the glue pot and roller banding guide. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0044]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an automated edge band application machine  1  is comprised of a dispensing table  10 , a base  20 , work support arm  30 , edging application cell  40 , electronic control console  190 , safety switches  192 ,  193 , and grinder assembly  200 . Edging application cell  40  is operative to apply edge band  15  to a work piece, while grinder assembly  200  is operative to grind the applied edging to a predetermined thickness and contour. 
         [0045]    Dispensing table  10  dispenses edge band  15  from an edging band spool. Peripheral guide pins  12  and central pivot pin  13  may be provided to retain an edging band spool on the surface  14  of table  10 . Surface  14  may spin in order to make dispensing easier, or in an alternative embodiment may be made of or coated with a material that allows a spool or coil of edge band  15  to slide without significant resistance. A base  11  is provided to elevate surface  14  to match or approximate an elevation that band  15  is desired to enter into edging application cell  40 . 
         [0046]    Supporting edging application cell  40  is a base  20  having a frame  23  and optional legs  21 . To permit leveling, adjustable feet  22  or other suitable supports may also be provided. 
         [0047]    A work support arm  30  has two arm members  31 ,  32  that may preferably be provided with pintles at each distal end, allowing work support arm  30  to move a work piece throughout an entire circle having a radius equal to the combined length of arm members  31 ,  32 . The work piece, while not illustrated, may for exemplary purposes comprise any suitable board or sheet. Typically, and as is known in the industry, the work piece may comprise a board fabricated from wood or wood products, such as fiber board or plywood. In this case, the board will also typically be generally planar, and may have any geometry for an edge perimeter. For exemplary purposes only, and not solely limiting the present invention thereto, the board might comprise a ¾″ or 1″ thick medium density fiber board (MDF), and might also for exemplary purposes be in the general shape of a rectangle. However, and as will be understood from the present disclosure, one of the benefits and advantages of the present invention is the ability to apply edge banding to nearly any edge geometry, so while rectangles, circles, and ovals might be common shapes for the perimeter of the board major surfaces, many other geometries will also be served by the present invention. 
         [0048]    Within edging application cell  40 , a board drive assembly  100  illustrated and further described herein below cooperates with a work piece held upon support pedestal  33  to drive the work piece into a banding guide, also described and illustrated in greater detail later. Support pedestal  33  is preferably a vacuum support that uses suction to secure a work piece to support pedestal  33 . While vacuum is preferred, any suitable technique of holding the work piece to the pedestal is contemplated and will be considered to be incorporated herein. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment the support pedestal  33  is replaceable, and can be provided in a variety of sizes to accommodate larger and smaller work pieces. Safety switch  192  may also be provided to enable actuation of edging application cell  40  by an operator spaced a safe distance from the machinery. This allows the operator to position the work piece at a distance from edging application cell  40 , rather than the operator having to simultaneously control the work piece and lean over, reach over, or otherwise access a switch dangerously close to the machinery. 
         [0049]    In the preferred embodiment automated edge band application machine  1 , edge band  15  is preferably applied that is wider than the thickness of the work piece, meaning the edge band  15  will extend either above, below or both above and below the work piece generally planar major surfaces. This ensures that edge band  15  will completely cover the edge, even if the workpiece is slightly warped, bowed or otherwise irregular. 
         [0050]    Once edge band  15  has been adhered to the edge of the work piece and the adhesive set sufficiently, then the banded work piece may be passed through a grinder  200 . Grinder  200  may be set to grind away portions of edge band  15  that extend beyond the work piece generally planar major surfaces, and may optionally also create beveled edges or other decorative ornamentation if so desired. Safety switch  193  may be provided to enable actuation of grinder assembly  200  by an operator spaced a safe distance from the machinery, rather than the operator having to lean over, reach over, or otherwise access a switch too close to the machinery. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 2-10  illustrate the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  from a wide variety of angles of illustration, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship of the various components. 
         [0052]    While not essential to the workings of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1 , edge band  15  is applied using machinery that is integrated into a single unit assembly referred to herein as edging application cell  40  and illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . A large number of sub-assemblies are integrated therein, as will be discussed herein below. Since the edging application cell  40  is a single unit, a single drive motor may then be provided and coupled through a bell flange  167  and associated right angle transmission to drive a serpentine belt. This single drive belt helps to ensure that important components turn in synchrony. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate the preferred embodiment edging application cell  40  from two different projected views. As illustrated therein, edge band  15  feeds right-to-left through an encoder assembly  160 , against which the banding is held by force from spring  44 . Encoder assembly  160  is used to precisely measure distances along the length of edge band  15 , so that at the precise position, the banding can be cut at cutting die assembly  120 . Between encoder  160  and cutting die assembly  120  is a drive spindle assembly  50  and an idler roller  140  that serves as a pinch roller, visible in  FIGS. 27-30 , that together move edge band  15 . After leaving cutting die assembly  120 , edge band  15  passes in contact with a glue pot assembly  60 , where a thermoplastic adhesive is applied on what will become the inside surface. Edge band  15  is now ready to be affixed to the work piece, and this must be done while the thermoplastic adhesive is still hot. Edge band  15  moves into contact with a roller banding guide  170  between the two roller banding guide bases  171 ,  172 , where it is squeezed on one side by the roller banding guide  170 , and on the other by the work piece. 
         [0054]    The preferred embodiment encoder assembly  160  includes at least one roller guide  161  and a plurality of edging guides to guide edge band along a longitudinal path to ensure that the edge band  15  follows an appropriate trajectory with encoder assembly  160 . Spring  162  ensures that edge band  15  remains in constant contact with encoder assembly  160 . The encoder assembly  160  then provides a measure of the edge band  15  used. While a rotary encoder is used in the preferred embodiment for exemplary purposes, it will be understood that any suitable technique to measure or quantify a length of banding material will be considered to be incorporated herein. Roller guide  161  defines a cylinder having a longitudinal axis. The encoder assembly  160  presents an opposed surface defining a generally planar surface. The roller guide  161  axis of rotation is offset from parallel to the generally planar surface by a minor amount, just sufficient to bias edge band  15  into contact with the plurality of edging guides. Most preferably, the top of roller guide  161  distal to serpentine belt  165  is slightly closer to encoder assembly  160  than the bottom of roller guide  160  closer to serpentine belt  165 . Since the inlet guide immediately adjacent to roller guide  161  is open on the top, but otherwise enclosed, this slight tilt of roller guide  161  ensures that edge band  15  will be drawn down towards serpentine belt  165 . This allows easy threading of edge band  15  and automatic positioning as soon as edge band  15  begins to move longitudinally. 
         [0055]    The preferred cutting die assembly  120  uses a guillotine-type blade powered by a linear actuator, illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 27-30 . When desired, cutting die assembly  120  is actuated to sever edge band  15 . Preferably, edge band  15  is severed at an angle other than perpendicular to the banding. This means that the seam between the starting end of edge band  15  and the terminus will overlap, thereby providing a better finished appearance than achieved with a straight cut. While a guillotine cutter is preferred, and illustrated for exemplary purposes, other known severing techniques will be considered to be incorporated herein. 
         [0056]    The preferred glue pot assembly  60  applies glue, preferably thermoplastic glue that has been heated, to edge band  15 . The glue pot assembly  60  may also preferably include a heat shield  166  to protect the product and the rest of the invention from any incidental heating. 
         [0057]    A work piece will be captured between board drive assembly  100  and caster wheel  163  immediately above. The use of a caster wheel allows the wheel  163  to track changes in directional movement of the work piece, which might typically be a lumber product such as a board, plywood, or other construct. Board drive assembly  100  will drive the work piece towards roller banding guide  170 , and roller banding guide  170  will also be rotating, in a clockwise direction when viewed from above looking down, tending to drive the workpiece and edge band  15  to the left in the illustration. The workpiece will also be in contact with another driving roller  164 , which also serves to support the laser assembly  150 . While the board drive assembly is preferred, other suitable work handling equipment will be considered to be incorporated herein. For exemplary purposes only, and not solely limiting the invention thereto, such apparatus may include robot-controlled tables, robotic arms, and the like. 
         [0058]    Laser assembly  150 , which is illustrated in enlarged view in  FIG. 34 , is preferably spring loaded to pivot about the vertical shaft of driving roller  164 , and also pivots about a second vertical axis offset therefrom. This combination of two pivots, a pair of follower rollers, and a spring allows laser assembly  150  to track with the edge of the work piece. Laser assembly  150  also has a cone  155  extending therefrom along a horizontal axis, which ensures that the laser assembly will track the height of the workpiece lower edge. As noted herein above, each of the drive components is coupled to the serpentine belt  165 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate a preferred embodiment drive spindle  50 . A roller housing  51  surrounds the roller spindle shaft  52 . A pair of suitable bearings or bushings  55 ,  56  hold the two in spaced co-axial alignment. A roller retainer cap  54  secures a roller  53  (visible in  FIG. 31 , for example) in place on a first end, and a locknut  57  and washer  58  secure the other end of the spindle. Under lock nut  57 , and about spindle shaft  52 , a pulley (not illustrated here) will be attached for coupling with serpentine belt  165 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 15-20  illustrated a preferred embodiment glue pot  60 . While any suitable adhesive may be used, in the preferred embodiment automated edge band applicator  100 , thermoplastic glue is used. As is well known, thermoplastic adhesives may be heated to a semi-fluid state, applied to surfaces to be adhered, and then cooled to rapidly achieve nearly full working strength. At room temperature, the adhesive will typically have the characteristic of common plastics, solid to the touch and not sticky or tacky. They may be provided in any suitable form, ranging from sticks and rods to pellets and grindings. Once heated these thermoplastic adhesives become more fluid, and are often quite sticky. This allows the adhesive to flow to some degree, and be captured within surface pores and the like. 
         [0061]    The thermoplastic adhesive is preferably provided in small beads, pellets, grindings or the like, and is first received within the tank side  62  of glue pot  60 . A removable glue pot tank cover  67  is provided to prevent the adhesive from overflowing, while still permitting cleaning and other servicing. The glue pot tank side  62  is in communication with auger side  61  of the glue pot, allowing the adhesive to move from the tank to glue pot auger  64 . A glue pot auger spacer  63  is provided to ensure alignment and permit the adhesive to surround auger  64 , and a bearing and holder  76  is provided to facilitate rotating of auger  64 . An auger cap  65  is provided adjacent the top of glue pot  60 , which helps to contain and isolate the adhesive. 
         [0062]    As edge band  15  passes adjacent glue pot  60 , a scraper  68  will remove any debris that might interfere with proper bonding or that might contaminate glue pot  60 . Next, edge band  15  will pass through and adjacent to or in contact with glue pot blade shaft  74 , typically near glue pot blade bottom  79 . Glue will then coat edge band  15 . As edge band  15  leaves glue pot blade shaft  74 , any excess material that is undesirably adhered will be removed by glue pot scraper  69  in the manner of a doctor blade. Adjustment of the applied glue, through controlled spacing between glue pot blade shaft  74  and edge band  15 , is controlled using glue adjuster block  70  in cooperation with adjusting knob  72 , adjuster spacer  73 , threaded shaft  71  surrounded by compression spring  75 , and glue pot adjuster capture  78 . Glue pot adjuster capture  78  is fixed to auger cap  65  and allows rotation of adjusting spacer  73  without axial translation. Since threaded shaft  71  is immovable secured to adjusting spacer  73 , rotation will cause threaded shaft  71  to either thread into or thread out of one end of glue adjuster block  70 . The other end of glue adjuster block  70  may be rotated, and so will rotate as threaded shaft  71  is turned. This in turn shifts glue pot blade shaft  74  closer to or farther from edge band  15 . A compression spring  75  may also be provided generally co-axial with and encompassing threaded shaft  71 . This creates sufficient friction to prevent unintentional and uncontrolled rotation of knob  72 , threaded shaft  71 , and adjuster spacer  73 , while still permitting ready manual adjustment. 
         [0063]    When very thin edge band  15  is used, such as the 0.5 mm banding described herein above, the band  15  will tend to stick with the adhesive in glue pot  60 , and so may try to wrap around glue pot blade shaft  74 . To prevent this undesired wrapping, one or a plurality of edging separator fingers  66  may be provided. These act in the manner of a cattle guard on a locomotive, simply and gradually lifting any errant edge band  15  away from glue pot blade shaft  74 . By providing several spaced fingers  66 , most of the adhesive desired to be transferred onto edge band  15  will remain.  FIG. 43  provides an enlarged illustration in the vicinity of the edging passing in contact with the glue pot and roller banding guide. As is apparent in that illustration, if edge band  15  begins to wrap about glue pot blade shaft  74 , fingers  66  will release edge band therefrom. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 21-22  illustrate the preferred embodiment glue dispenser  80 , which feeds cold and solid adhesive to the glue pot tank side  62 . A glue dispenser tank  81  holds a reserve supply of glue. The glue dispenser tank back  82  and bottom  84  may meet at an angle other than perpendicular in order to provide a funnel-type shape, so that all glue can be dispensed efficiently. A glue dispenser tank cover  83  provides a means to refill the glue dispenser tank  81 . 
         [0065]    The glue dispenser tank  81  is preferably positioned above a valve  90  having a valve block  89 . The bottom  86  of the valve block  89  connects with a drain  88 . Drain  88  preferably conducts the glue into the glue pot tank side  62 . In the preferred embodiment, valve  90  is electrically controlled to adjust the flow rate to glue pot  60 . A distance determining laser  85 , which may be embodied in any suitable detection apparatus, is directed in to glue pot  60 , to measure the height of molten glue contained therein. In the event the level drops to a desired minimum, then valve  90  will be opened to allow a quantity of glue to pass through and down into glue pot tank side  62 . 
         [0066]    While a thermoplastic adhesive is illustrated in the preferred embodiment automated edge band application machine, as noted other methods of adhesion are contemplated herein as well. For exemplary purposes only, and not solely limiting the invention thereto, the edge banding material could comprise a thermoplastic composition. In such case, the interior face of the banding would then be heated, either by direct contact, through a heated air stream, infra-red energy transfer, dielectric heating, or any other suitable technique, to sufficiently heat and melt the interior surface to permit self-adhesion with the work piece. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 23-25  depict a preferred embodiment board drive assembly  100 . A feed roller  108  comes into contact with the work piece, in order to support the work piece and propel it towards edge band  15 . Preferably, a feed roller spindle  111  couples to and rotates feed roller  108 . A driven gear bottom guard  116  encases and protects the assembly. While not illustrated in these  FIGS. 23-25 , a similar upper guard may also be used to further enclose feed roller  108 , as visible for example in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . A drive spindle in the form of splined shaft  105  visible in  FIG. 25  projects upwards through the board drive assembly  100  and is supported by bearings  104 , and is protected within the drive spindle housing  101 . A pulley  119  engages externally with serpentine belt  165 , and internally with splined sleeve  112 . Splined sleeve  112  engages coaxially and circumferentially about splined shaft  105 , and the splines engage to lock the two together in rotary movement. However, splined shaft  105  can slide longitudinally relative to splined sleeve  112 , which permits feed roller  108  to be raised into firm engagement with work pieces having different thicknesses. To convert the vertical axis rotary motion of splined shaft  105  into the horizontal axis rotary motion required for feed roller spindle  111  and feed roller  108 , a straight bevel pinion  117  terminates splined shaft  105 . Pinion  117  engages with straight bevel gear  118 , which is in turn rigidly coupled to feed roller spindle  111 . To control and adjust the available range of angular orientation, a drive adjuster  115  is anchored distal to feed roller  108 , and couples to the rotary region adjacent to feed roller  108 . The length of drive adjuster  115  may be altered by rotation of a knob provided therewith. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 26-30  depict the preferred embodiment guillotine cutting die assembly  120 . Idler roller  140  generates a pinching force to squeeze edge band  15  into good contact with a separate drive spindle assembly  50 , visible for exemplary purposes in  FIGS. 31 and 32 . The cutter is contained and guided by extrusion cutting exit die  121  and extrusion cutting exit die  122 , the pair which are held in spaced relationship by spacer  123 . The linear cutting motion is provided by cylinder  131 , which is coupled to blade thruster  137 . A pair of bearing blocks  133 ,  135  supported by cylinder mount  141  may be provided to support cylinder  131  securely. Idler roller  140  is driven by roller cylinder  149  which is pivotally supported within bracket  129  by pintles  136 . Roller cylinder  149  linearly drives clevis  134 , which is coupled through clevis pin  138  to swingarm pivot ear  148  extending from idler roller swingarm  145 . A pair of spaced pivot pads  146  provide suitable pintles for idler roller swingarm  145 , and a pin  144  defines central shaft about which idler roller  140  may spin. A pair of edging guides  130 ,  132  hold edge band  15  in place securely during a cutting operation. The force applied may be adjusted using the screws provided with edging guide pressure plate  132 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 31-33  provide various viewing angles of the band, encoder, and guillotine cutting die assemblies, and better illustrate the arrangement of edging guides  130 ,  132 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 34  illustrates the laser assembly  150  which is mounted upon a board driving roller  151 . The laser support  152  pivots about the vertical shaft  153  of board driving roller  151 , defining a first axis of rotation. Laser support  152  is also preferably spring loaded to drive laser support  152  in the same rotary direction as board driving roller  151  rotates. When the workpiece is in contact with board driving roller  151 , the laser assembly cone  155  is then also pressed into contact with the workpiece. The laser assembly  150  also pivots about a second axis of rotation  154  that is generally parallel to but offset from first axis of rotation  153 . This combination of spring force driving the laser and photodetector  156  to the work piece edge and a second axis of free rotation causes both of the idler rollers  157  to press against the edge of the work piece. In addition, laser assembly  150  also has a cone  155  extending along a horizontal axis. The same spring force provided by laser support  152  driving idler rollers  157  into contact with the work piece edge also drive cone  155  under but engaged with the work piece, which ensures that laser and photodetector  156  will track the height of the workpiece lower edge. The use of a conical geometry for drive cone  155  helps to ensure that the cone will properly slide under the work piece at the time of initial engagement, allowing idler rollers  157  to firmly engage with the edge of the work piece. This combination of two axes of rotation, a pair of idler rollers  157 , and a spring within laser support  152  allows laser assembly  150  to immediately engage with and track the edge of the work piece. 
         [0071]    The laser and photodetector  156  are aligned to just below the bottom edge of the surface of the work piece, or, in other words, just below the highest point of the largest diameter of cone  155 . If there is no edge banding on the work piece, the laser will simply shine forward, and not be reflected back to the photodetector. However, when the edge banding is nearly fully wrapped about the work piece circumference, the leading end of the band (the first part of the band adhered to the work piece) will pass in front of the laser. As noted herein above, the edge band is preferably wider than the work piece, meaning it will extend below the edge of the work piece. With proper alignment, this will mean the edge band will reflect the laser back to the photodetector. The moment this happens, a processor such as a micro-processor, micro-controller unit, CPU, or any other suitable electronic control device, which might for exemplary purposes be provided as a part of console  190 , will be notified. This information will then be used to determine how much more edge band  15  to pass encoder assembly  160  and cutting die assembly  120  before the guillotine cutter is actuated and the band severed. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 35-38  illustrate the preferred embodiment edge band application machine of  FIG. 1  sectioned by horizontal plane at progressively lower elevation above the base, to offer further view and insight into the machine construction. In  FIG. 37 , edge band  15  and several banding guides have also been retained.  FIGS. 36-38  provide excellent visibility of the combination of edging guides  130 ,  132 , including the “L” shape of edging guide  130  providing bottom support, followed by edge banding guides  168 ,  169  that are also designed to provide bottom support for edge band  15 . The combination of these various guides and the glue pot blade bottom  79  together help to enable the present invention to successfully process the half-millimeter edge banding, which has not heretofore been attained in an automated machine. 
         [0073]      FIG. 37  also provides the most unobstructed view of serpentine belt  165 , which transmits motive energy to all of the rotating shafts found within edging application cell  40 . This single motive source ensures synchronicity throughout the cell  40 , which is also necessary to successfully process thinner edge banding. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 39-42  depict a preferred embodiment grinder  200 . After edge band  15  has been applied to a work piece, the work piece may be placed on pivoting support surface  280 , which is visible in the Figures pivoted to a position of inactivity. The lower trimmer blade  235  and the upper trimmer blade  236  are preferably angled in opposite directions in order to provide beveling to edge band  15 . In order to ensure that the trimmer blades  235 ,  236  do not grind off portions of the work piece, and instead only grind edge band  15 , guide plates  290 - 293  are provided in varying diameters. One of the four guide plates  290 - 293  will be pivoted in to the space between the lower trimmer blade  235  and the upper trimmer blade  236 , to prevent the work piece from coming too close to the trimmer blades  235 ,  236 . The guide plate mounting block  201  pivots about indexer hub  210  through ninety degree increments, and thereby allows one of the four guide plates  290 - 293  to be selected for varying the finished edge band thickness. 
         [0075]    Trimmer blades  235 ,  236  generate substantial waste, and the effective removal of the scrap material is very important for efficient and reliable operation of grinder  200 . In the preferred embodiment, a pair of dust collection vacuum manifolds  271 ,  272  are provided that are fabricated to have a cylindrical opening adjacent to and generally encompassing an associated cutter. If properly dimensioned and located, such as illustrated in  FIG. 42  which shows both manifolds  271 ,  272  in place, then the motion of each trimmer blade will tend to create a spiral movement of air. The generally cylindrical internal shape of the manifolds  271 ,  272  facilitates this spiraling. Furthermore, when a vacuum is connected to manifolds  271 ,  272 , the vacuum further assists in this very efficient and effective spiral air flow. 
         [0076]    While not illustrated, it is further contemplated herein to incorporate a board drive assembly similar to board drive assembly  100  and caster wheel  163  into grinder  200 , further reducing the need for manual intervention. 
         [0077]    While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.