Multiple-pad orbital sander with split pad platen

In combination, a sanding apparatus having a frame, a work conveyor with an endless belt having a work supporting flight for transporting workpieces thereupon from an infeed end to an outfeed end along an axis defining a machine direction, support means coupled to said frame for mounting an abrasive head with work surface treating means thereon for creating and defining a working zone along said work supporting flight, and a particulate removal means for removal of particulate from said working zone;

• said combination being characterized in that:
• (a) said working zone comprises a platen mounting plate with means for mounting a pair of elongated abrasive heads on opposed sides thereof, a pair of generally parallelly disposed elongated abrasive heads mounted on said plate having their elongate axes disposed generally transversely of said machine direction axis and being arranged in spaced apart relationship along said machine direction axis with a gap zone defined between mutually opposed edge surfaces of said abrasive heads, said mounting plate having an opening formed therein and being disposed within said gap zone;
• (b) said mounting plate along with said abrasive heads being coupled to motion generating means for simultaneous oscillatory motion of said heads;
• (c) said particulate removal means comprising ductwork with an inlet port at one end, an outlet port at the other end, and with said inlet port passing through said mounting plate opening into close proximity with said work supporting flight, said ductwork extending from said inlet port to said outlet port for movement of a flow of air away from said inlet port, and including a flexible conduit to permit said inlet port to move with said mounting plate, said inlet port having a cross-sectional dimension substantially equal to the width of said gap zone and being positioned within said gap zone to move with said mounting plate for direct removal of particulate from that portion of the surface of the workpiece disposed therewithin, and said outlet port being in communication with a separator/collector means for separation of entrained particulate from said flow of air.