Sandvik’s textured press plate and endless press belt operation will use the Interzum fair to launch its 2009-10 sample collection under a theme of “SteelArt”. Since being taken over by Sandvik Process Systems in 2000, formerly Hindrichs-Auffermann, this side of the business has undergone a number of major changes including the re-engineering of production processes. Its full integration into the organisation means Sandvik is now capable of providing a complete service to the WBP, laminate and melamine coating industries, from base to surface. The “SteelArt” sample collection includes a number of new surfaces as well as progressions on designs with proven market success. It shows how art and science can be combined in both smooth and textured finishes to create decorative surfaces that are simultaneously tactile, practical and emotionally stimulating. Sandvik’s technology now makes it possible to achieve textural depths of up to 800µm, reflecting the real character of natural wood or stone surfaces. Such texture depth can also be used to create practical characteristics such as anti-slip or, with other surfaces, ease of cleaning or resistance to dirt or finger marks. Sandvik will also be highlighting the recent opening of a new 300m2 design centre where more than 1000 different surfaces can be viewed, and the availability of two laboratory presses to develop new surface solutions.
