Cutting machine and method for slicing a loaf into slices

A cutting machine for slicing a loaf of elastic material into slices, comprising:

• a base frame,
• a forming tube channel fixed in the base frame and extending in an axial direction, with an open longitudinal side and a channel cavity open at both ends,
• at least one cross press stamp to fit into the open longitudinal side of the forming tube channel for forming a forming tube having a rear end and a cutting end,
• a longitudinal press drive positioned in alignment with the forming tube and capable of applying a force in the axial direction for axially driving one of a plurality of longitudinal press stamps into the forming tube from the rear end and advancing and longitudinally pressing the loaf therein toward the cutting end of the forming tube,
• a cutting device with a blade which is arranged in front of the cutting end of the forming tube and is displaceable in a transverse direction relative to the forming tube,
• wherein
• a width of the channel cavity of the forming tube channel is variable,
• the at least one cross press stamp comprises a plurality of cross press stamps of different widths which can be inserted into the open longitudinal side of the forming tube channel, and
• a cross press drive is provided for displacing a cross press stamp of the plurality of cross press stamps into the open longitudinal side of the forming tube channel in a first transverse direction, which is a transverse press direction.