Frame, and abrading system, and a method for using the same

A method of abrading an exterior surface of a workpiece using an abrading system, at least a portion of the exterior surface being a curved section having a curvature, the abrading system including a frame and a first abrasion pad coupled to the frame, the first abrasion pad having an abrasion surface, the frame comprising:

• a mounting plate having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
• a center plate having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
• a first articulating assembly coupled to the mounting plate first end portion and the center plate first end portion, the first articulating assembly defining a first curved surface;
• a second articulating assembly coupled to the mounting plate second end portion and the center plate second end portion, the second articulating assembly defining a second curved surface;
• wherein the first abrasion pad is mounted to the center plate and at least part of each of the first and second curved surfaces of the first and second articulating assemblies so that the abrasion surface of the first abrasion pad faces away from the mounting plate, the method comprising:
• changing a curvature of the curved surfaces of the first and second articulating assemblies to correspond to the curvature of the curved section of the workpiece by pressing the abrasion surface against the workpiece so as to displace the mounting plate toward the center plate;
• and
• moving, while the curvature of the curved surfaces of the first and second articulating assemblies correspond to the curvature of the curved section of the workpiece, the abrading system along the workpiece along a longitudinal axis of the workpiece so as to abrade the exterior surface of the workpiece.

An abrading system for abrading a surface of a workpiece, at least a portion of the surface being a curved section having a curvature, the abrading system comprising:

• an abrasion pad having a first surface and an opposite abrasion surface;
• and
• a frame, the frame comprising:
• a mounting plate having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
• a center plate having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
• a first articulating assembly coupled to the mounting plate first end portion and the center plate first end portion, the first articulating assembly defining a first curved surface;
• and
• a second articulating assembly coupled to the mounting plate second end portion and the center plate second end portion, the second articulating assembly defining a second curved surface;
• wherein each of the first and second articulating assemblies are configured to change a curvature of their respective curved surfaces to correspond to the curvature of the curved section of the workpiece, in response to relative displacement of the center plate toward the mounting plate;
• wherein the first surface of the abrasion pad is mounted to the center plate and the first and second curved surfaces.