Particulate removal device and system for router machines and the like

In a machine tool having a workpiece support table and a tool head assembly provided with a tool engageable in cutting relation with a workpiece positioned on said table for removing particulate material from said workpiece, a system for removing said particulate material from the vicinity of said tool and workpiece comprising:

• a hood member mountable on said tool head assembly, about said tool, having a lower edge thereof spaced from said workpiece when said device is in an operative position, providing a peripheral air inlet opening at said lower edge communicating with a cylindrical chamber defined by said member, said hood member having at least one outlet opening for receiving air drawn through said air inlet opening and swirled in said annular chamber by the high speed rotation of said tool, causing the entrainment of said particulate material produced by the cutting action of said tool;
• a vacuum pump;
• and
• pneumatic conveying means operatively interconnecting the outlet opening of said hood member and an inlet of said vacuum pump, including a filter collector disposed on an upstream side of said pump;
• and
• wherein the area of said peripheral air inlet opening of said hood member is approximately equal to the area of said outlet opening of said hood member.