Miter sipe machine having angle control, blade sharpening, and tread support

A sipe forming system comprising:

• a cutting base comprising:
• a pivot plate having an aperture;
• a cutting drum extending at least partially through the aperture;
• a blade coupled to a surface of the cutting drum;
• and
• a mechanical power source operably coupled to the cutting base and configured to rotate the cutting drum;
• a positioning assembly pivotally coupled to the cutting base and configured to receive a tire tread, the positioning assembly comprising:
• a housing, the housing being selectively positionable relative to the pivot plate;
• and
• at least one positioning device configured to position the tire tread received by the positioning assembly with respect to the cutting drum;
• and
• a first lateral support coupled to the pivot plate and configured to engage a length face defining an edge of the tire tread when the tire tread is positioned by the at least one positioning device.