Description
Engineered quartz presents a unique challenge for laminated edge fabrication because the resin binder that holds the crushed stone aggregate together is heat-sensitive and prone to discoloration at high RPMs. This eased/straight template for 3cm+2cm laminated quartz addresses that directly with reduced spindle speeds across every polishing position. At a combined profile height of 1.969 inches, the laminated construction gives homeowners the substantial edge appearance they want while keeping material costs manageable. The straightforward 90-degree geometry with a lightly eased top corner remains the most requested edge style in residential quartz installations.
Related Templates
Eased/Straight Edge Profile (Granite) - 2cm+2cm Laminated
Eased/Straight Edge Profile (Marble) - 2cm+2cm Laminated
Eased/Straight Edge Profile (Porcelain) - 2cm+2cm Laminated
Eased/Straight Edge Profile (Quartz (Engineered)) - 2cm+2cm Laminated
Engineered quartz presents a unique challenge for laminated edge fabrication because the resin binder that holds the crushed stone aggregate together is heat-sensitive and prone to discoloration at high RPMs. This eased/straight template for 3cm+2cm laminated quartz addresses that directly with reduced spindle speeds across every polishing position. At a combined profile height of 1.969 inches, the laminated construction gives homeowners the substantial edge appearance they want while keeping material costs manageable. The straightforward 90-degree geometry with a lightly eased top corner remains the most requested edge style in residential quartz installations.
Installation Overview
Working with laminated engineered quartz on an eased/straight profile requires careful thermal management throughout the fabrication process. Start by inspecting the lamination bond quality at the seam position, which sits at 0.787 inches from the bottom. Engineered quartz adhesive bonds can be weaker than those on natural stone if the surfaces were not properly roughened before laminating. Load the DXF into your CNC controller and configure the roughing pass with the 25mm finger bit at 3325 RPM rather than the standard 3500 RPM used for natural stone. This reduced speed is critical for preventing resin burn, which manifests as white or yellowish marks along the edge that cannot be polished out. The seam pass at 2375 RPM should blend the lamination line with light, even pressure. Progress through the polishing sequence from 50 grit metal bond at 2660 RPM through the resin bond stages, topping out at 3800 RPM on the final 3000 grit and buff positions. Feed rates of 50-70 IPM work well for most quartz brands. Always verify your water supply is delivering consistent cooling to the contact point.
CNC Cutting Notes
Engineered quartz requires reduced RPMs across the board to avoid resin burn. Set the roughing bit at 3325 RPM with feed rates of 50-70 IPM. The seam polishing pass should run at 2375 RPM with minimal downforce. Metal bond positions operate at 2660-2850 RPM, well below granite parameters. Resin bond pads progress from 3040 RPM at 200 grit up to 3800 RPM at the buff stage. Use a 0.5mm stepover and avoid dwelling in any single spot for more than two seconds. Water flow of 2-3 GPM is adequate. Watch for color changes on the edge surface during polishing, which indicate heat buildup requiring an immediate RPM reduction or increased water flow.
Material Compatibility
This template is optimized for engineered quartz brands including Caesarstone, Silestone, Cambria, MSI Q Quartz, and similar resin-bound composite surfaces. The reduced RPM parameters prevent the thermal damage that standard granite settings would cause on these materials. Engineered quartz with higher percentages of recycled glass content may require even lower RPMs in the final polishing stages. Natural quartzite should not use this template as it requires higher RPMs. Solid surface materials like Corian are too soft for these parameters and should use dedicated acrylic-optimized templates instead.
Where to Buy
Quartz-specific polishing pads and reduced-heat tooling are available from Weha, GranQuartz, Braxton-Bragg, and most major stone tool distributors. Look for pads specifically labeled for engineered stone.