Compound curvature cutting machine

A multi-axis cutting machine for cutting compound curvature surface on a workpiece comprising:

• a machine bed means adapted to receive and retain a workpiece in secure fashion thereon and having a guiderail means extending along two opposite side edges thereof;
• a gantry means movably mounted on said guiderail means whereby a relative longitudinal movement between the gantry means and the machine bed means may be accomplished to constitute movement in an X-axis;
• a cutting means assembly including a straight-line workpiece cutting means member:
• means mounting the cutting means assembly to the gantry means;
• a first means included in said mounting means whereby a relative vertical movement between the cutting means assembly and the machine bed means may be accomplished to constitute movement in a Y-axis for the cutting means member relative to said machine bed means;
• and a second means included in said mounting means whereby a relative horizontal movement between one end of the cutting means assembly and the machine bed means may be accomplished to constitute an Angle-b pivotal movement about the Y-axis, each said first and second means in said mounting means and said movable gantry means independently and variably operable relative to each of the others whereby the surface generated on the workpiece in a single traversement of the X-axis can consist of a compound curvature of any variable combination of straight lines relative to the X-, Y- and Angle-b axes.