In the glass industry, a Glass Edging Machine is critical in shaping and polishing the edges of glass panels. It is required for fabricating window-edge, mirror pane, and other similar glass items. The process uses a series of powered moving abrasive wheels or pads to grind or polish the glass edges. Of course, these edges do not just look aesthetically pleasing, but do also enhance safety by removing sharp corners or jagged edges.

Step by step Process on How A glass edging Machine Works: 

Glass sheets inserted in the edges of abrasive wheels or polishing pads are the main working parts of the machine mechanism. Each polishing pad or wheel has an abrasive material such as diamond, silicon carbide, or other industrial level materials. When the sheet passes through the abrasive wheels, edges are either cut or polished to desired forms.

1. Glass Feeding. The glass is fed into the machine either manually or via a conveyor belt, depending on the configuration.

2. Abrasive Grinding: These are sharpening wheels which rotatably position within the edge of the glass and they rotate at high speed to smoothen out rough edges. There are very coarse wheels and there are finer polishing wheels meaning that a number of different finishes are available from basic grinding to fine polishing.

3. Edge Shaping: Among the many features that can be highlighted when using a glass edging machine is the shape of edges that includes bevel, round or straight edges. This is done so that the edges do not remain at the arbitrary position which can be visually unpleasing or unsafe in case if edges hold great importance.

4. Polishing and Finishing: The final steps after grinding is done on the edge of items is the polishing of edges by a wheel which makes the edge rounded and smooth and the final finish light. This stage is very essential in refining certain grade glass products like glass furniture, or decorative panels of glass.

Types of Edges Created by glass edging machines

How glass edging machines are designed depend on what edge profile they intend to accomplish:

- Beveled Edges: Beveled edges are also completed by engraving a wedge on the normal edges wed dusting at an angle ranging between 30 and 45 degrees. Most glass artists use this edge for mirrors, windows, or any high-class glass.

- Rounded Edges: Rounded edges are a safer option therefore most glass furnishings such as glass tabletops and glass mirrors tend to be rounded so that sharp corners are eliminated.

- Straight Edges: Straight edges are often used in modern designs, most often in windows and shelves, as it provides a neat look.

A Glass Edging Machine is a contemporary instrument in the glass processing industry that is invaluable in the manufacture of glass to high requirements for aesthetically pleasing and safe glass. This specialized equipment leaves the glassworker with little choice but to produce glass that is smooth and polished to the desired form.