Sander and Sanding Machines Overview
Sanding is a working process that can also be carried out manually without sanding machine assistance, although this would require much more time. However, sanding is a economical operation only if carried out with sanding machine assistance. Sanding machines imitate in principle the sanding motion of manual sanding, however, with higher operating speed and efficiency.
Abrasive technique
The processing of surfaces is very common; it is also known as surface grinding or polishing. In by far the most cases, sanding is required to improve the surface quality and as preparation for further surface treatment. The most important criteria for sanding and grinding with manually operated machines are
• sanding quality
• work progress
These two criteria determine essentially the economic efficiency of the sander.
Sanding quality
The sanding quality, and consequently the surface quality, depends on the applied sanding tool and the following factors:
• sanding principle
• practical experience of user
Work progress
The work progress, and consequently the economic efficiency of the sanding process, is determined by
• the abrasive
• the selected sanding machine
• the sanding machine performance
• the sanding machine ergonomics
In addition, the sanding principle and the practical experience of the user also play a role, as was the case with the sanding quality.
Tools for sanding and grinding
While providing the utmost comfort and ease of operation for the tool user, the sanding
tool has the principal function of transferring the energy (force) required for the abrasive process to the abrasive. Sanding machines are based on one of the following working principles:
• oscillation
• oscillation and rotation
• rotation
• circulation
On the basis of these principles among others the following popular abrasive machine types were developed:
• orbital sander
• random orbital sander
• belt sander
• delta sander
• multi sander
These tools developed further to form numerous sub-types and special tools.
