Sanding machinery distributor and abrasives manufacturer Abacon Ltd has reconfigured its Sheffield factory to provide a permanent demonstration and testing area.
A number of major joinery companies have already made use of the facility to conduct tests on product samples.
Abacon moved its production area slightly and installed a new extraction system to accommodate the changes.
Demonstration models currently include a DiscMaster finishing sander and a smaller throughfeed sander, both from Löwer of Germany.
The company said customers are able to see the DiscMaster sand a wide range of components, from a piece of Canadian maple to an MDF sheet, while also sanding raised fibres flat in complex mouldings.
DiscMaster features a combination of sanding discs and rollers equipped with brush-backed abrasive strips slotted into SlipCon hubs.
The smaller machine is designed for finishing complex linear mouldings and components.
Abacon is also investing in machinery to boost its production of sanding belts. A jumbo roll slitter costing about €50,000 will enable it to produce belts up to 2m wide with just one joint.
It says this will meet industry’s growing trend towards larger veneered boards.
