Sanding Table Design: Pneumatic Mechanism Overkill?

[Jones1987]

So I've been handed an assignment, to design the mechanism and structure to oscillate a sanding table left and right. I thought about strapping a pneumatic mechanism underneath, a rod would connect to clamps which are attached to the board. My question is, would a pneumatic mechanism be a bit overkill?

 

[Danger]

I can't believe that no one has responded to this yet. I've been holding off because I expected some experts to weigh in.
First off, I don't know whether this assignment is a work project or homework from school. Either way, I'm not going to solve it for you, nor will anyone else here. You have to earn the benefits, whether they be salary or marks.
As a simple answer to your question, pneumatics would not be overkill, but might be overly complex for the task. It depends upon several factors. One of those is what the primary power distribution in your location is like. For instance, in the factory where I worked back in the mid-70's, all of the machinery was driven by air motors from one honkin' huge compressor. In a situation like that, it would be expedient to tap an air line and use the pneumatic actuator. If your shop is primarily electric, though, it might be better to go that way.