Contour-cutting machine having a light-weight knife carrier

A contour-cutting machine, which is particularly suited for cutting foam, comprising:

• a workpiece table defining a longitudinal direction (X-direction) and having an upper side for supporting workpieces and a pair of first and second vertical sides, a table gap extending transversely (Y-direction) to said longitudinal direction between said pair of vertical sides;
• X-direction driving means for moving workpieces on said upper table side in said longitudinal direction (X) across said table gap;
• a stationary frame arranged to enclose said workpiece table in the vicinity of said table gap;
• a movable cutting-element carrier defining a quad and having an open side and an opposite side, said cutting-element carrier supporting a plurality of pulleys;
• an endless cutting element mounted on said pulleys and passing through said table gap at said open side of said cutting-element carrier;
• Z-direction driving means for driving said cutting element in a vertical direction (Z-direction) along said open side through a cutting region for said workpieces;
• first means for supporting and guiding said cutting-element carrier near said open side thereof in said transverse direction (Y) along said table gap;
• Y-direction driving means for driving said cutting-element carrier at said open side thereof in said transverse direction (Y), and
• second means for supporting and guiding said cutting-element carrier near said opposite side thereof along said first vertical side of the table in said longitudinal direction.