Sparks in the grinding lab

The Saint-Gobain Abrasives facility in Watervliet, New York, recently hosted 100 fifth graders from the nearby Watervliet Elementary School.

It was the school’s fourth annual science field trip to the facility.

Before their tour the students saw a video entitled How To Make Sandpaper and a safety orientation (of course).  They then visited Watervliet’s “Pilot Maker” used for testing new types of sandpaper before they are mass produced.  Judy Allison, supervisor of process engineering and Mike Siler, senior technician, explained the process of making sandpaper while the students watched.

At plant’s Do-It-Yourself Lab, Chuck Lester, R&D engineer, demonstrated how to use sandpaper.  The students then practiced their own hand sanding techniques. Next, the fifth graders went to the Grinding Lab where Rick Kalita, manager of R&D, showed the students a high-pressure, high-force test on metal.

Each child then created their own sand art, using five different colored grains (the same used in sandpaper).

Mrs. Swyer, fifth grade teacher, says “Each year Saint-Gobain gets better.  We can’t wait to see what you have for us next year!”