Computer-controlled peripheral shaping system

Abstract

A system is disclosed for cutting shapes from slabs of easily machinable material, such as plastic foam, under computer control. These shaped slabs can then be piled and glued together in order to build large complex volumes, to be used as models, molds or cores of fiber-reinforced objects. The slab of material is rotated around a fixed axis of rotation, while a cutting wire is driven in translation and tilted at various angles within a plane parallel to or containing said axis of rotation. The cutting action of the wire results from electrically induced heat and/or abrasive motions of the wire in its own direction. This cutting machine is used as a peripheral of a microcomputer, and receives from this microcomputer the signals necessary to control the electric motors driving the rotation of the slab of material and the motions of the cutting wire.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.