Holzforschung 2015; 69(2): 241–245
Bin Luo, Li Li*, Hongguang Liu, Mingzhi Wang, Meijun Xu and Fangru Xing
Effects of sanding parameters on sanding force
and normal force in sanding wood-based panels
Abstract: The proper parameters of sanding with abra-
sive sanding machine are significant to reduce energy
consumption and to improve processing efficiency and
quality. The parameters sanding speed, feed speed, and
granularity have been investigated in terms of the sand-
ing force (sF) and normal force (nF) for particle board
(PB) and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). For PB, the
sF and nF show decreasing trends of second power with
increasing sanding speed and linear increase when feed
speed increases. The sF and nF are almost constant when
granularity increases from 40 to 80, but these forces show
increasing trends of second power when granularity
increases from 80 to 150. For MDF, the sF and nF change
as trends of second power with increasing sanding speed
and increase in trends of second power with increasing
feed speed. The sF and nF force decrease when granu-
larity increases from 40 to 80, but these forces present
linear increasing trends when granularity increases from
80 to 150.
Keywords: granularity, feed speed, medium-density
fiberboard, normal force, particle board, sanding force,
sanding speed, wood-based panels
DOI 10.1515/hf-2014-0012
Received January 17, 2014; accepted May 15, 2014; previously pub-
lished online June 14, 2014
Introduction
Grinding refers to the cutting processes with hard grit and
is responsible for 20–50% energy consumption in industri-
alized countries (Malkin 1989). Sanding is a widely favored
grinding method due to its high processing efficiency,
strong adaptability, safety, and convenience during opera-
tion (Huang and Huang 2009). Abrasive belt sanding is
*Corresponding author: Li Li, College of Material Science and
Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083 Beijing, China,
e-mail: bjfu_lili@126.com
Bin Luo, Hongguang Liu, Mingzhi Wang, Meijun Xu and Fangru
Xing: College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry
University, 100083 Beijing, China
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well suited for calibrating the thickness of panels and bur-
nishing the surface of wood work-piece and painted part
(Aguilera and Meausoone 2000; Evans and Cullis 2008).
There are several factors that influence the sanding
quality. One group of features is related to the wood
material and machine, such as density, texture, moisture
content, required precision, and stiffness of the sanding
device (Gurau and Mansfield-Williams 2004, 2006; Shen
2005). Important are also the machining parameters, such
as sanding speed, feed speed, and granularity of the abra-
sive belt. It was found that the feed speed and thickness of
sanding influence the sanding force (sF) and normal force
(nF) for sanding of wood and medium-density fiberboard
(MDF) (Liu and Li 2009). Simultaneously, the nF has sig-
nificant impacts on the sanding quality and efficiency
(Barcik and Samolej 2003; Siklienka and Ockajova 2003).
Liu and Li (2009) measured the average and maximal
forces during sanding (direct method). Some indirect
methods were also applied; for example, the values of
forces were computed by the power consumption accord-
ing to the relation of force and power consumption (Zhou
2003). In both approaches, the sF and nF were worked out
either by complex computation or by indirect derivation
from other parameters and thus may contain errors.
In the present work, experiments were performed and
several parameters were considered for the calculation of
the sF and nF, such as the structure and physical proper-
ties of particle board (PB) and MDF. The calculations are
based on the sanding homogenization theory. Addition-
ally, the effects of sanding speed, feed speed, and granu-
larity are considered according to the literature (Li 2005;
Shen 2005; Liu and Li 2009). The intention is to provide a
theoretical guidance for reducing energy loss and enhanc-
ing the efficiency and sanding surface quality.
Materials and methods
A sanding experimental machine was adopted, which was equipped
with reciprocating motion worktable and calibrating sanding (devel-
oped in Beijing Forestry University). The calibrating roller is made
of rubber, and the surface hardness is 25.0 HD. The work-piece and
­sensor were affixed on the worktable. The adjustable sanding thick-
ness accuracy is 0.05 mm. The measuring equipment included a 3D
force sensor (KISTLER-3257A, Kistler Instrumente AG, Winterthur,
242      B. Luo et al.: Effects of sanding parameters on sanding force and normal force in sanding wood-based panels

Switzerland), a charge-amplifier (KISTLER-5806, K ­ istler Instrumente Prior to the tests, the relationships of the electrical signals must be
AG, Winterthur, Switzerland), and a signal analyzer (NEC Omniace II calibrated with the sF and nF, and then the values of signals could be
RA2300, NEC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The measuring system is transformed to that of corresponding forces. In the calibration process,
shown in Figure 1b. the orientation of calibration was opposite to the sF but the same as the
The average density and surface hardness of the PB and MDF nF. Thus, the signal values for computing the sF should be converted
were 0.99 and 0.74 g cm-3 and 64.1 and 51.7 HD, respectively. The size of into absolute values. The values of each wave trough (voltage signals of
work-pieces was 150 × 100 mm2. The abrasive belts were made by Tian- the sF) are the signal values of the sF, and for the nF, the signal values
jin Deerfos Co., Ltd. (base material: twill, grit: white fused ­alumina, are the values of each wave peak (voltage signals of the nF) (Figure 2a).
electrocoated abrasive and adhesive: phenol formaldehyde resin). In data processing, some clutters that were caused by joining
In the experiments, the sanding speed (V, m s-1), feed speed of the abrasive belt were eliminated. Besides, the waves generated
(U,  m s-1), and granularity (P) were the single-variable parameters. at previous and ending stages were also eliminated. Then, the rest
The tests were performed with six sanding speeds (2.65, 4.00, 5.35, of the waves were made of a polynomial fitting. Thirty points were
6.69, 8.04, 9.38, and 10.74 m s-1), six feed speeds (0.012, 0.025, 0.042, used to fit the values of the wave peak or wave trough with the Ori-
0.050, 0.062, and 0.074 m s-1), and six granularities (40, 60, 80, 100, gin software (OriginLab Corporation, Northampton, USA). The con-
120, and 150). The feeding speed was a constant value of 0.025 m s-1 fidence level was 95% (Figure 2c). After fitting, the useless points at
when the sanding speed varied, and the sanding speed was fixed at the beginning and ending of the fitting curve were removed, and the
5.35 m s-1 when the feed speed was the variable, whereas the gran- remaining points were transformed to the force values from which
ularity of the system was 80 constantly. When the granularity was the maximum and average values were computed.
the variable, the feed speed and the sanding speed were 0.012 and
8.04 m s-1, respectively. The sanding thickness was 0.5 mm.
The sensor generated electric charges when the force changed.
Then, the electric charges were turned into voltage signals by the
Results and discussion
charge amplifier. The voltage signals were recorded by a signal ana-
lyzer when they reached the trigger value set before, as shown in Fig- As shown in Figure 2, during the experiment, the sF and
ure 1a. Each test was repeated three times under the same conditions nF fluctuate continuously for two reasons. One results
to avoid any possible anomaly.
The forces acting on the work-piece are not only the sanding tan-
gential force (sFt) but also the radial force (sFr) from the abrasive belt
in sanding process. As shown in Figure 1c, the sF measured in the
test is the resultant force of the sFt and sFr in the horizontal direction
and the nF is the resultant force of the sFt and sFr in the vertical direc-
tion. Their relationships are as below: θ is the angle between sanding
speed (V) and feed speed (U).
sF = sFt cosθ+ sFr sinθ
nF=sFr cosθ+sFt sinθ

Figure 1 Testing system.

(a) Schematic of test system. (b) Schematic of testing machine. (c)
Analysis of sF and nF. sFt = sanding tangential force; sFr = radial force;
θ = angle between sanding speed and feed speed; V = sanding speed;
1 = abrasive belt; 2 = reciprocating control switch; 3 = contacted roller;
4 = work-piece; 5 = tooling fixture; 6 = KISTLER-3257A sensor (Kistler Figure 2 Voltage signals of forces.
Instrumente AG, Winterthur, Switzerland); 7 = rail; 8 = ball screw (a) Voltage signals of sF and nF. (b) Schematic of sanding stages. (c)
actuating device. Fitting curve of sF.

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 B. Luo et al.: Effects of sanding parameters on sanding force and normal force in sanding wood-based panels      243

from the structure of the abrasive belt and the vibration
of the sensor and machine. Different from the grinding
wheel, the abrasive belt is elastic (Huang and Huang
2009). The other is the viscoelasticity of wood. In a certain
stress range for a short time period, the characteristics of
wood are very similar to the elastic material (Liu and Zhao
2004).
The process of sanding can be divided into four stages
(Figure 2b). In the first stage, the abrasive belt does not
contact the work-piece. The second one is the preliminary
sanding stage, in which the abrasive belt contacts the
work-piece and the sF is generated. The maximum force
is generated at the beginning of this stage, and then the
force gradually decreases because the abrasive belt and
work-piece absorb some energy, which can be seen in
Figure 2. In the late stage, the sF increases gradually. With
the sanding going on, dust fills into the space between the
grits, and then wrap grits and blunt blades, finally the sF
increases. In the final stage, the abrasive belt separates
from the work-piece and the sanding process is over. Cor-
responding with the sF, the reasons why the nF changes
in the previous and late stages of sanding are similar. The
whole sanding process is a good response to the physical
characteristics of wood-based panel and the features of
sanding processing.
forces in PB and MDF sanding processes. The sF and nF
of PB decrease with increasing sanding speed. For MDF,
however, the sF and nF decrease at the beginning and
reach their nadir when the sanding speed is 6.7 m s-1. The
sF and nF then begin to increase rapidly as the sanding
speed increases.
When sanding speed does not reach 6.7 m s-1, cutting
edges in unit time increase with increasing sanding speed.
Thus, the removal of every cutting edge was reduced when
the quantity of sanding removal was constant in unit
time, causing the forces to decrease. Additionally, com-
pared with PB, MDF is more easily sanded due to its lower
surface hardness and density. This is why the sF and nF
of MDF decrease more rapidly. When sanding speed sur-
passes 6.7 m s-1, the sanding dust and glue of MDF rapidly
fill the space between grits and wrapped grits, and then
the grits become blunt (blocked and blunt phenomenon).
There was not enough time for the abrasive belt to fully
discharge the dust. This process becomes more and more
pronounced with increasing sanding speed, so the sF and
nF of MDF continue to increase. The size of the chips (the
structural unit of PB) is much larger than wood fiber (the
structural unit of MDF). It is difficult for chips to fill in the
space between grits and wrapped grits, meaning there
would not be a serious blunt and blocked phenomenon
for sanding PB.

Effects of sanding speed on the sF and nF

Effects of feed speed on the sF and nF
Figure 3a shows the effects of the different sanding speeds
on the sF and nF. This figure indicates that the sF equals Both the sF and nF of PB and MDF increase with increas-
70% of the nF. There exist several differences between the ing feed speed, as shown in Figure 3b.

Figure 3 Effects of sanding parameters on sF and nF.

(a) Effect of sanding speed. (b) Effect of feed speed. (c) Effects of granularity.

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244      B. Luo et al.: Effects of sanding parameters on sanding force and normal force in sanding wood-based panels
Feed speed should be set at a mild rate, because large
impulse force or rapid speed can injure the abrasive belt
and machine. A wood-based panel can buffer the impulse
force, within limit, during the feed process. However, the
materials will deform when the impulse force surpasses
the elastic limit. With increasing feed speed, the removal
of each cutting edge grew when the amount of sanding
removal in the unit time increased, which caused the
increase of the sF and nF.
Effects of granularity on the sF and nF
The bigger the granularity is, the finer is the grit size,
and the larger the quantity of grits in the unit area of the
sanding belt is, the more crowded is the space between
grits. Therefore, under the same conditions of feed speed,
sanding speed, and sanding thickness, the quantity of
grits in the unit area becomes larger with increasing
granularity. As shown in Figure 3c, when the granulari-
ties are 40, 60, and 80 for PB, the sF changes slightly, but
the nF drops off very little. For MDF, both forces decrease.
These occur due to the growth quantity of cutting edges
in the unit area. The density and surface hardness of PB
are higher than those of MDF, so for PB the two forces
decrease slower than those of MDF. When the granulari-
ties are 80, 100, 120, and 150, the sF and nF increase signif-
icantly – first because blocked and blunt phenomenon is
more likely to occur when granularity increases. Second,
cutting edges become shorter with increasing granularity,
and then the proportion of cutting decreases and the pro-
portion of friction increases (Huang et al. 2011).
Conclusions
The effects of the three sanding parameters on the sF and
nF were tested and studied in this paper. The results can
be studied in order to choose appropriate sanding param-
eters in the sanding process to reduce energy consump-
tion and improve the efficiency and quality of processing.
For PB, with increasing sanding speed, the sF and nF
present decreasing trends of second power and a linear
increase when feed speed increases. When granularity is
40–80, the sF and nF change little with increasing granu-
larity. However, when granularity is 80–150, the sF and
nF increase in trends of second power when granularity
increases.
For MDF, the sF and nF change as trends of second
power with increasing sanding speed and increase in
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Table 1 Relations of sanding parameters with average sF and nF.
Equations   R2
PB
 sF = 0.1535 V2-3.8647 V+38.908   0.974
 nF = 0.1791 V2-4.7933 V+54.212   0.958
 sF = 315.6 U+15.108   0.963
 nF = 462.65 U+21.916   0.965
 sF = -0.0043 P2+1.2446 P-53.584 (80  ≤  P  ≤  120)  0.986
 nF = -0.0075 P2+2.083 P-91.482 (80  ≤  P  ≤  120)   0.980
MDF
 sF = 0.9092 V2-12.788 V+62.601   0.852
 nF = 1.4338 V2-20.083 V+96.34   0.864
 sF = 3734.8 U2-11.808 U+11.018   0.991
 nF = 5360.5 U2-34.794 U+16.158   0.990
 sF = 0.3277 P-15.893 (80  ≤  P  ≤  120)   0.999
 nF = 0.5105 P-27.481 (80  ≤  P  ≤  120)   0.999
V, sanding speed; U, feed speed; P, granularity.
trends of second power when feed speed increases. When
granularity is 40–80, the sF and nF decrease with increas-
ing granularity. However, when granularity is 80–150, the
sF and nF present linear increases.
Table 1 shows a regression analysis of all the data
obtained in this experiment, including the relationship
between the three sanding parameters with average
values of the sF and nF.
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