When using an air sander to process different material surfaces, it is crucial to adjust the appropriate speed and grinding force. Different materials have different hardness, toughness and surface characteristics, so the grinding method also needs to change accordingly. By accurately adjusting the speed and applied force of the air sander, not only can the grinding effect be improved, but also the service life of the sander and abrasive can be extended, and unnecessary damage to the processed surface can be avoided.

1. Material characteristics and speed adjustment
The hardness and density of the material play a decisive role in choosing the grinding speed. For harder materials, such as metal and hard wood, air sanders usually require lower speeds for grinding. The reason is that high-speed grinding may cause overheating, which in turn damages the abrasive or material surface. Properly reducing the speed can increase the stability of grinding, allowing the tool to remove material evenly without causing surface burns or deformation due to friction overheating.

For softer materials, such as cork, plastic or coated surfaces, the speed can be appropriately increased. These materials are not prone to high heat during the sanding process, so high speed can quickly remove excess material layers, improve efficiency, and ensure surface finish. Especially when sanding paint or coatings, fast and gentle sanding can avoid penetrating the coating and maintain the integrity of the material.

2. Control of sanding force
Different materials have different tolerances to sanding force, so the pressure applied when using a pneumatic sander needs to be carefully adjusted. For harder materials, such as metal and stone, higher pressure is usually required to effectively remove surface defects or oxide layers, but this also requires lower speed to avoid excessive wear and overheating of the material.

Soft materials are more sensitive to pressure, and excessive sanding force may cause the surface to collapse or deform. For these materials, lighter pressure combined with higher speed can ensure uniform material removal and avoid damaging the material structure due to over-sanding. When sanding soft wood, plastic or coatings, light pressure and steady techniques can produce better surface quality.

3. Sanding strategies for different materials
Wood surface: For wood, the hardness of the material determines the sanding strategy. For hard woods such as oak and walnut, a lower speed and medium pressure sanding method is suitable. This can prevent the wood surface from being burned due to overheating while ensuring that the surface texture is retained. For soft woods, light sanding at a higher speed can quickly remove surface irregularities and ensure smoothness.

Metallic materials: Metal surfaces usually require more delicate treatment. For harder metals (such as steel and stainless steel), low-speed sanding with greater force can effectively remove surface irregularities or oxide layers. For softer metals such as aluminum, high-speed and light pressure sanding methods can ensure uniform sanding and avoid deep scratches.

Plastics and composites: These materials are sensitive to heat, and high-speed sanding may cause the surface to melt or produce uneven marks. Therefore, using a medium speed and maintaining light pressure is the best choice for handling such materials.

Paint and coatings: When sanding paint or coatings, the goal is to remove surface irregularities without damaging the underlying layer. Light sanding with a higher speed can ensure a smooth paint surface and reduce the accumulation of friction heat during sanding to avoid penetrating the coating.

4. Abrasive tool selection and matching
Different materials have different requirements for the selection of abrasive tools. When adjusting the speed and force of the pneumatic sander, the appropriate abrasive tool is particularly critical. Coarse sandpaper is usually used to remove a large amount of material and is suitable for processing hard materials or when a large area needs to be sanded. For soft materials, fine sandpaper can bring a finer sanding effect and reduce surface scratches.

In addition, using softer abrasive tools at high speeds can reduce vibration and improve the stability of sanding, while at low speeds, harder abrasive tools are more suitable for long-term strong sanding work.

5. Ensure stability and safety
During the sanding process, maintaining stable operation is essential to ensure the quality of sanding. Whether it is hard or soft materials, sudden changes in speed or force can cause surface damage or excessive wear of the abrasive tool. By using a speed control device, you can better adapt to the needs of different materials and ensure smooth operation.

In addition, excessive pressure should be avoided when sanding, because this will not only shorten the life of the abrasive tool, but may also cause the motor of the pneumatic sander to overload, thereby shortening the life of the equipment.