Apparatus for cutting laminated sheet material

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting a laminated sheet material includes a pedestal for supporting on a support surface thereof a laminate of a sheet material at least the upper and lower surfaces of which are covered with an air-impermeable sheet. Arranged on the support surface is a suction pipe a side face of which is provided with a suction port for attracting a side face of the laminate. Connected to the suction pipe is a suction pipe drive unit for reciprocating the suction pipe in one direction. Coupled to a cutter head arranged above the laminate is a cutter head drive unit for reciprocating the cutter head in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the suction pipe is reciprocated. A guide groove opposing the path along which the cutter head is reciprocated is provided in the support surface of the pedestal, and a number of closure plates driven in synchronization with the cutter head are fitted in the guide groove, the closure plates being interconnected. Connected between closure plates via a mounting member is a cutter receiving sleeve into which the tip of a cutter, which is attached to the cutter head, is movably inserted. The upper surfaces of the closure plates, cutter receiving sleeve and mounting member are arranged to be flush with the support surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.