Efficiency of Sanding Belts for Beech and Oak Sanding

Abstract

The effects of wear on the performance of sanding belts were determined for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and English oak (Quercus robur). These measurements are presented as a function of the defined sanding time of 480 min on a manual sanding belt machine. Sanding belt pressure on the piece surface (6600, 10400, 14700, and 18600 Pa), sanding direction (cutting speed vector with reference to wood fibers equal to 0°, 60° and 90°), wood hydrothermal treatment, and sanding belts from various manufacturers were the variables. The sanding belt wear was monitored by means of specific wood removal rate (g/cm2.min) in 20-min intervals by the means of reference samples with size of 50 x 50 x 50 mm, which were sanded for 1 min. The resulting curves for the sanding belts, as well as the statistical models of the wood removal rate, decreased as a function of the sanding time, described by the function y = a + b.e-ct. This work also describes the impact of wood species, optimum pressure, and grinding time on the characteristics to abrasion.

Keywords

• Wood sanding
• Wear curves
• Sanding belt performance