Method and apparatus for cutting sheet material with improved accuracy

A method of cutting pattern pieces along a closed cutting path defined by the periphery of the pieces with a cutting blade having a leading cutting edge comprising:

• moving the sheet material and cutting blade relative to one another to cause the leading cutting edge of the blade to advance through the sheet material along the defined cutting path;
• driving the cutting blade generally perpendicularly through the sheet material as the blade advances to cause the sheet material to be cut by the leading edge;
• and
• rotating the cutting blade about an axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the sheet material at each point along the cutting path as the material is cut to orient the cutting blade at each point along the closed path incrementally out of a position in alignment with the cutting path and toward the inside of the pattern piece periphery.

A method of cutting limp sheet material along a desired line of cut with a cutting blade having a leading cutting edge comprising:

• moving the sheet material and the cutting blade relative to one another to cause the leading cutting edge to advance forwardly through the material;
• driving the cutting blade generally perpendicularly through the sheet material parallel to the cutting edge as the blade advances;
• rotating the blade into a position generally aligned with the desired cutting path as the blade advances;
• and intermittently and rapidly rotating the cutting blade by a preselected amount out of the position in alignment with the cutting path and back again during the step of moving and without traversing a substantial segment of the cutting path during rapid rotation to produce small steps in the cutting path.