The minimum bending radius is highly dependent on the material's thickness and its inherent flexibility. The calculation is based on a rule-of-thumb formula:

1. Measure Thickness: Determine the precise thickness of your edge banding material in inches.
2. Identify Material Type: Select the material you are using. Different materials have different flexibility, which we represent with a 'Material Factor'. A higher factor means the material is more brittle.
3. Apply the Formula: The calculator multiplies the thickness by the material factor to find the minimum radius.
   Minimum Radius = Thickness (in) × Material Factor

• Edge Banding: A thin strip of material used to cover the exposed, raw edges of panel materials like plywood or MDF.
• Minimum Bending Radius: The tightest curve that a material can be bent around without being damaged or breaking.
• Substrate: The core panel material (e.g., plywood, MDF, particleboard) to which the edge banding is being applied.
• Delamination: The separation of the edge banding from the substrate, often occurring on tight curves where the banding is under tension.
• Inside Radius: The radius of the concave (inner) curve of the workpiece.

"For real wood veneer, a little bit of heat can go a long way. Gently warming the veneer with a heat gun before applying it around a tight curve can make the wood fibers more pliable and reduce the risk of cracking. Don't overdo it, or you can scorch the wood or damage the glue." - Custom Furniture Maker

"When clamping banding on a curve, don't just rely on a few spring clamps. Use a continuous clamping solution like painter's tape or a specialized strap clamp, pulled taut along the entire curve. This ensures even pressure and prevents the banding from lifting at the apex of the curve as the glue dries."

Example 1: Applying PVC to a Countertop
You are using standard 1mm (~0.04") PVC edge banding on a curved countertop corner.
Minimum Radius: `0.04" * 25 (PVC Factor) = 1.0"` This is a very tight radius, showing the flexibility of PVC. Most countertop curves are much gentler than this.

Example 2: Solid Wood Lipping on a Curved Table
You want to apply a 1/4" (0.25") thick piece of solid oak as edging on a round table.
Minimum Radius: `0.25" * 200 (Hardwood Factor) = 50"`. This means you cannot safely bend this solid piece around a curve with a radius smaller than 50 inches without steam bending it first.

• Bending Against the Grain: Wood veneer is much more flexible when bent along its grain (the "long way"). Bending it across the grain will cause it to crack at a much larger radius.
• Using the Wrong Adhesive: For tight curves, a standard hot-melt adhesive on pre-glued banding may not be strong enough to resist the tension. A stronger contact cement or a specialized polyurethane glue is often a better choice.
• Not Preparing the Substrate Edge: The edge of the substrate must be smooth, clean, and perfectly square for the banding to adhere properly, especially on curves.
• Forcing the Material: If the banding is resisting, don't force it. This will either crack the banding or create a weak joint that will delaminate over time. Re-evaluate your design or material choice.

• Furniture Design: Designing curved tabletops, shelves, or cabinet components.
• Commercial Casework: Specifying the limits for curved reception desks, countertops, and display units.
• Architectural Millwork: Planning for curved wall panels or decorative elements.