Cutting machine

A cutting machine comprising:

• a blank holder adapted to receive a foam blank, the blank holder comprising:
• a first component having a die projection formed on a front surface of the first component;
• a second component having a cutting surface, an opposite back surface, and an aperture passing from the cutting surface through the second component to the back surface;
• and
• a third component having an uninterrupted planar cutting surface and a third component opposite back surface, the third component being releasably securable in a deployed location in the aperture of the second component, so that the cutting surfaces of the second and third components are coplanar and form a peripheral aperture between the second and third components;
• and
• a cutting blade;
• and
• an electromagnetic carrier configured to move and electromagnetically hold the third component;
• wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is mounted for movement relative to the other of the first component and the second component, respectfully, while the third component remains located in the aperture of the second component, wherein the cutting machine comprises a cutting configuration, in which the first and second components are proximal to one another, with the front surface of the first component opposing the back surface of the second component, and in which the die projection of the first component is aligned with the aperture of the second component;
• wherein the cutting blade is adapted to pass across the cutting surfaces of the second and third components in the cutting configuration to cut a protruding portion of foam away from the foam blank;
• wherein the third component is configured to fit within the aperture of the second component;
• and wherein the die projection has raised or flared edges on a leading edge of the die projection with respect to a blade vector of the cutting blade.