Edge rounding is essential in various metalworking projects, enhancing safety and part quality by creating consistently rounded edges. At Apex Machine Group, we’re proud to be a leading manufacturer of high-performance edge rounding tools that effectively eliminate vertical burrs, nibble marks or scallops on metal part edges and holes.

What Is Edge Rounding?

Edge rounding, or edge radiusing, is a standard finishing technique that eliminates vertical burrs or scallops left on the surface edges of deburred metal components during processing. Typically, these raised edges are the result of cutting, stamping, milling and punching operations on sheet metal. This process uses specialized edge rounding machines to create a consistent, smooth radius along the perimeter and internal holes of sheet metal components.

How the Process Works

Industrial edge rounding equipment typically uses oscillating discs with abrasive sanding strips that rotate and move across the metal surface. As the part passes through the machine, these tools gently abrade the edges, eliminating burrs and creating a uniform radius of up to 2 mm.

Why Is Edge Rounding Important?

Edge rounding offers more advantages than simply giving a metal component a defined shape or a more appealing aesthetic. This process is vital for several reasons, such as:

  • Safety: Safety is a key consideration for any workplace, and edge rounding to eliminate sharp metal edges can reduce the chance of injury for your employees as well as damage to your machinery. You otherwise risk abrasion, breakage or part failure in operation, as well as harm to your labor force during assembly.
  • Coating and paint adhesion: By creating a smooth surface for bonding, coatings and paint will adhere better. Edge rounding also lessens the need for reapplying paint, as any sharp edges left behind on a metal surface can encourage peeling.
  • Part strength and durability: Coatings bond more easily with edge-rounded metal parts, thus adding a protective layer that elevates the metal’s surface strength and durability. Depending on the coating, this protection can also extend to supporting heat resistance, electrical conductivity and cryogenic stability. A fully coated metal part is highly resistant to several kinds of damage as well, such as abrasion, corrosion and operational wear.
  • Cost-efficiency: Compared to manual processes, automated edge rounding can help you save on time, labor and costs.
  • Food-safe processing: Edge rounding can address food safety requirements besides simply increasing coating quality. It lessens the risk of bacterial growth.

Common Challenges in Edge Rounding

Metal edge rounding can either be a manual or automated process. However, manual edge rounding comes with several challenges. Fabricators within the same team can have unique standards for rounding, leading to inconsistent edge radius across parts and different materials. It can also be challenging to manage complex geometries and tight internal cutouts using hand-held tools. They can also pose a safety risk for workers.

Lastly, using manual metal edge rounding tools is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The process can add hours of work, reducing overall operational efficiency.

The Apex Machine Group Solution

At Apex Machine Group, we provide edge rounding machines engineered to resolve common challenges manufacturers face while offering better performance. Our all-in-one, single-pass, automated edge radiusing equipment delivers consistent, high-quality results across a wide range of metal parts. These tools ensure uniform edge rounding, even on complex shapes, while improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Edge Rounding Machines at Apex

We offer a range of automated machines for dry and wet metal to assist with your edge rounding needs, regardless of complexity. Our efficient edge rounding equipment includes:

Apex machinery comes in widths from 13 in. to 64 in. and top, bottom and top/bottom configurations with multi-head options. The oscillating discs on our equipment can generate an edge radius of as much as 2 mm for ideal coating and paint adhesion. Our dry equipment has the added benefit of offering multiple capabilities in one machine, including deburring, rust removal and dimensioning, in addition to edge rounding.

Why Choose Apex Machine Group?

Since 2010, Apex Machine Group has been a trusted metal edge rounding machine manufacturer in a wide range of industries, from aerospace to medical fields. Partnering with us offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Expert team: Our professionals have decades of combined experience, so you can rely on us for expert advice and quality edge rounding solutions.
  • Customization: We work closely with you to assess your specific challenges and recommend the best edge rounding solution for your operation. We tailor our metal edge rounding tools to meet your production levels and budget.
  • Competitive pricing: We pride ourselves on our competitive pricing, helping ease the initial investment while ensuring long-term value with our high-quality machinery.

Get Started With Apex

Edge rounding helps ensure worker and equipment safety while increasing metal part durability. With automated solutions from Apex Machine Group, you can increase efficiency and productivity in your operation. For help determining which machine is right for your unique application and budget, contact us today. Our application specialists will be happy to assist you.