3M's dry sanding solutions

Dust extraction & dry sanding

If consumables account for less than five per cent of job costs, shouldn't we be concentrating on reducing labour costs, asks 3M.
As a solution to this situation, 3M developed some of the dry sanding systems used by many collision repair facilities in Australia, targeting productivity gains as a way to improve profits.
The key advantages of dry sanding according to 3M are:
* Facilitates a cleaner work environment
* Increase in abrasive performance
* More consistent finish over wet sanding
* Saving in sanding and clean up times.
When dry sanding is introduced in all areas of the workshop, expect an increase in productivity and a reduction in labour costs says the company. With the original introduction of dry sanding, 3M reports a near 20 per cent increase in fine dry sanding per year. Now with the introduction of dry spot repair systems, dry sanding will increase even further.

Enquiries, tel: 136 136.

FESTOOL Tool Centre
FESTOOL's TC 3000 Tool Centre offers the complete Dry Sanding Solution for bodyshops, panel beating and car refinishing professionals. It's a mobile trolley system with all the equipment needed to produce excellent results in dry sanding, whilst ensuring that working conditions for operators are both safer and easier.
Everything is to hand on the TC 3000, which comprises a mobile Tool Centre, with back wall, hose/tool holders, an LEX 150 3 M Sander, CT 33 LE Dust Extractor and IAS 2 hose and adaptor. This complete package can reduce sanding time by approximately 40-60 per cent. When you consider that 63 per cent of the time spent in car body refinishing is taken up in sanding, this is an important factor for bodyshop efficiencies.
Using the TC 3000 can reduce clean-up time; there's no sludge involved, no washing-off cars and less work on a compressor due to less use of airlines to blow off cars. In addition, bodyshops can have faster process times for masking and operators get less tired as the day goes on, because dry sanding by machine is less hard work. For example, when sanding HS-filler, a skilled painter can do approximately 4 m sq per hour wet sanding: by using the FESTOOL LEX 150/3 he/she can do approximately 10 m sq in the same time. Plus, there is no blistering and the surface is always dry and clean -- no water means no danger of corrosion.
Correct usage of the TC 3000 Tool Centre dry sanding systems means that a better surface finish is guaranteed than when wet sanding by hand.
The CT 33 LE Dust Extractor is an invaluable component of the TC 3000, use of which provides for a safer, dust-free environment. Dust extraction systems can be used in all sections of automotive refinishing trades but is particularly useful in panel beating shops as this is an area where most dust is generated.
FESTOOL is the only system able to offer the customer a completely dry sanding process using its Platin abrasives for blending.
The unique 1+2 warranty from FESTOOL applies to all components of the TC 3000 Dry Sanding Solution.

Enquiries, freecall: 1800 063 900, website: www.festool.com.au.

Rupes guarantees
Rupes Power Tools, a world leader in sanding application, is the only company that can offer you the choice of all four different actions of tools available on the market and tailor it to your own personal shop's needs, claims the company. Both air and electric operated tools which include unique actions that will determine and guarantee huge time savings in your sanding process and dramatically change the efficiency of your shop are available with free demonstration, by Rupes staff.
Rupes guarantees as part of its commitment to its customers, free training to guarantee and maximise investment.
"Just try to remember the last computer and/or software you purchased for say $1,500, did you receive training with this?" asks Rupes general manager Ami Hochenberg. "No! How aggravating and time consuming! So isn't Rupes service a benefit to your company?" he adds.
Rupes is the only company that can offer you, with every new random orbital sanders tool in their range of 3mm, 4mm and 5mm orbits, air and electric tools, two tools in one, claims the company. One size being a 150mm pad for the general sanding purposes or a 125mm pad for spot repairs or small surface treatment.
"Do you agree that it can be a waste of money to purchase a specific tool which will probably gather dust in the cupboard unless you need it for that specific job?" asks Hochenberg.
"Wouldn't you agree that buying one tool that can offer you all options, and with the press of a button can change the size of the tool to suit your needs, is better value for your money and a smart buy?" he adds.
Rupes guarantees that any of their 2-in-1 tools will not start sanding before censoring the surface, preventing unnecessary scratches.

Enquiries, and for a free demonstration, tel: (02) 9966 4200.

Herkules power
The power and performance of any dust extraction system is governed by the size of its vacuum turbine motors. Herkules extraction systems offer Hexadust turbines that provide enormous power benefits to all Herkules systems, from mobile units to fully ducted systems.
The side channel blowers utilise Siemens technology and have power that has never been used before, claims the company. With a motor capacity of 1.5kw, the Hexacomb turbines have a designed lifetime of approximately 25,000 working hours, compared with 800 hours for traditional turbines. This is branded quality with a full two-year warranty.
The turbine also features automatic on/off at the sanding tools, pneumatic filter cleaning and utilises a dust collection hopped bin with level indicator which is simple to empty. This system eliminates costly dust bags and dust filters and ensures minimal maintenance.
The wall-mounted turbine powers a five-metre swivel arm plus a suspended hexagon energy head that provides the workplace with vacuum power, compressed air and electricity. The energy head is fitted with holders for hanging tools and vacuum hoses.

Enquiries, Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment, tel: (02) 9568 2233.

Dynabrade systems
For many years, Dynabrade International of Clarence, NY, USA has been a leader in the manufacture of high quality air tools for dry sanding (random orbital sanding) with dust extraction systems.
All Dynabrade tools are designed to strict ergonomic standards as part of its VVIN program, which stands for Vacuum, Vibration, Insulation and Noise.
* Vacuum -- Dynabrade manufactures self-generated and central vacuum tools that direct airborne sanding particles away from the operator and from the air motor, reducing contamination and operator risk.
* Vibration -- Dynabrade tools feature composite housings and rubber overmolds which help reduce vibration.
* Insulation -- Thermal insulated tool housings prevent cold air transmission to the operator.
* Noise -- Unique muffling systems and exhaust overhose protection help reduce tool sound levels, contributing to a quieter workplace.
The Dynabrade 10327 Dynorbital Supreme Random Orbital Sander was one of the first dry sanding units introduced in Australia and remains one of the most popular says the company. This is a self-generated vacuum tool that creates its own suction and directs dust into a convenient cloth bag. Moving its 6" (152 mm) sanding pad in a 3/16" (5 mm) random orbit, the palm-style Supreme achieves a swirl-free finish on the work surface. The tool is lightweight, quiet and comfortable, and has countless applications within the automotive industry.
Also offered is an innovative Portable Vacuum System (64600), which can be used with all Dynabrade tools and other central vacuum-ready tools. This is a 38 litre unit that will run one to two tools and includes filter bag, filter element, hose assembly and hose cuff adapters. The powerful, adjustable suction is activated with a convenient on/off switch that starts and stops with operation of tool. A larger 17 gallon unit is also available for running up to four tools.

Enquiries, tel: (716) 631-0100, fax: (716) 631-2524, email: international.sales@dynabrade.com, website: www.Dynabrade.com.

Norton Champagne Magnum
Champagne Magnum from Norton is sandpaper technology at its best according to the company. It cuts faster, runs cooler, resists loading better and lasts far longer than any conventional sandpaper.
The challenge for abrasive manufacturers for dry sanding especially in the finer grades is keeping the dust created in the sanding process down to an acceptable level, whilst having a cooler cutting action and producing a finer finish with hopefully a longer sanding life of the product.
Norton Champagne Magnum products (A275) have successfully achieved these criteria with new heat treated abrasive grains providing a faster cutting action, whilst the sharp grain couples with a strong resistance to dulling, which offers a cool cutting action. The unique champagne coloured paper eliminated the need for pigments or dyes in the making process thus resulting in two further major advantages;
* Increased bond strength between grain and backing
* Eliminating any possibilities of pigment colour transfer (contamination) to the workpiece.
From the drawing board to the bodyshop, every Norton product is extensively tested to establish higher standards of performance and productivity. Norton products are engineered to save time and money while providing the finest possible results. As a sign of confidence, Norton Champagne products (A275) are supported by the No Risk guaranteed test policy. Norton Champagne Magnum is available in a grit range P80 through to P1500. Available in Stick n Sand (PSA) discs, Speedgrip (Hook & Loop) or discs and sheets plus plain hand sanding 230mm X 280mm sheets.
Features include a premium heat-treated grain with 30-50 per cent faster cut rate, premium B-weight latex paper backing for improved performance, FEPA P-graded grain which achieves a more consistent, uniform scratch pattern, re-designed bond system to optimise grain adhesion, the latest water-based stearate No-Fil to improve load resistance and no pigment in No-Fil or bond to eliminate risk of colour transfer.

Enquiries, tel: (03) 9358 6100.

Mirka's Abralon range
The slight 'orange peel' effect seen in modern OE paint finishes can be difficult to reproduce since, during the pre-polish stage, traditional dustless sanding methods exceed the area being rectified, creating flat spots which tend to highlight the repair.
To eliminate this problem PPG recommends the following process. Firstly, ensure the panel is dust-free by removing excess dust with compressed air and soft cloth. Denib any small paint imperfections using PPG's Mirka Micro 77mm orbital sander in conjunction with Royal Micro P1500 dustless discs. This process can be done wet or dry. Ensure the Mirka Micro is resting flat on the panel before commencing operation. This will eliminate any coarse scratch marks.
Secondly, PPG recommends the use of Mirka's revolutionary Abralon 2000 followed by Abralon 4000 (Abralon P4000 should be used mainly on dark colours). This will ensure that the denibbed area blends with the original OE finish. Abralon all but eliminates the risk of oversanding or denibbing and produces an ultra-smooth, uniformed pre-polish pattern. These patented design discs and pads look, feel and work like no other wet sanding abrasive and they can be used with an orbital sander leading to significantly less time spent on each job.
Abralon employs a unique three-layer 'damp technology' system -- in basic terms an abrasive and backing with a foam layer in between. A small amount of water can be applied with an atomiser bottle and the excess water is held in the foam centre layer of the disc or pad where it's able to flow to the surface being sanded. Abralon doesn't throw out water even when used on an orbital sander resulting in a much cleaner work area and no dust.
There's a convenient choice in sizes, too. Abralon comes in standard 150mm size and, to go with Mirka's innovative new Micro system, a 77mm size with 2.5mm orbit. The compact nature of the Micro system makes it ideal for keeping small repairs to a minimal size thus reducing the time required to polish the new repair. And, because the small abrasive discs are cheaper, it's cost effective, too.

Enquiries, tel: 13 24 24, fax: 1800 800 819.