Surface Analysis

The Technology Center of Steinemann Technology AG was ceremonially opened in March 2016. The modern premises and facilities are intended for research work, on the one hand, but also for training customers and Steinemann Technology’s service technicians, on the other. The Technology Center has a SATOS sander, a smaller sanding machine and a digital microscope (Alicona) for surface analysis, as well as other machines and equipment.

All in all, Steinemann Technology has so far invested roughly € 1 million in the new Technology Center. The SATOS is predominantly used for training purposes. With the help of the smaller sanding machine, Steinemann hopes to get a better insight into which sanding belt properties have an impact on the quality of a sanded wood panel. Individual parameters can be altered on the belt and the effects on the sanding belt revealed with the Alicona microscope.

The Technology Center at Steinemann Technology AG also engages in basic research. Among other things, the aim is to determine whether and how the sanding belt speed affects parameters such as service life, panel quality, effective power consumption and other properties.

The Technology Center is also used to render services. For example, Steinemann Technology customers have the possibility of sending panels (of DIN A4 size) to St. Gallen, in order to have them examined more closely. This service was also utilised beforehand. The issues raised included the following:

  • Measurement of the dimensions of needle lines
  • Classification of causes of sanding scratches
  • Measurement of the degree (height/depth ratio and width) of chatter marks
  • Effect of selecting different grit sequences

Should you likewise have questions regarding sanding defects, unfamiliar sanded surfaces, configuration of the sander, or if you simply need help in general: the team of professionals at Steinemann Technology AG will be pleased to hear from you.

Surface Analysis

Matthias Bach (development technologist) using the Alicona microscope to measure and assess a sanded particle board.

Surface Analysis

Sanded surface with clearly visible (deep) scratches caused by the penultimate pair of N heads. This means either that the final pair of N heads needs to be set closer, or that an excessive grit size jump was selected between the penultimate and the final pair of N heads.