Improved energy efficiency and surface quality in medium-density fibreboard (MDF) sanding process by applying precision-shaped grits

Abrasive belt sanding is essential to medium-density fibreboard (MDF) manufacturing and application. To achieve an energy-efficient machining with better surface quality, a kind of abrasive belt with precision-shaped grits (PSG) was applied in this study. As a contrast, an ordinary abrasive belt with random fractured grits (RFG) was taken into account. The surface morphology of each belt was compared and analyzed to see the difference. The power used to remove per unit mass of workpiece material (P*s) was measured and calculated. When the belt speed reached 12.08 m/s, the P*s of PSG belt was 28.5% lower. The micrographs of sanded MDF surfaces generated by PSG belt and the related interfacial area ratio (Sdr) indicated less ploughed area. Besides, the average values of Ra, Rz, Rq and RSm for the surface sanded by PSG belt were significantly lower. The obtained findings could provide new perspectives in MDF sanding operations considering MDF surface creation mechanism with new abrasive tools.