Machine for trimming decorative molding

Apparatus for shearing a workpiece to a predetermined contour comprising:

• a. a die having an opening therethrough defined by opposed transverse walls and first and second mirror image longitudinal walls having respective first and second die profiles each of which is reversely arranged in comparison with the predetermined contour;
• b. a punch having opposed ends and first and second mirror image side surfaces that define respective first and second punch profiles that are identical with the predetermined contour;
• and
• c. actuator means for reciprocating the punch in a shearing direction into and out of engagement with the die, a workpiece being placeable between the punch and die when the punch is out of engagement with the die, the punch cooperating with the die to shear the workpiece along a selected one of the die profiles and punch profiles when the actuator means reciprocates the punch into engagement with the die.

A method of trimming the end of a molding having a face with a predetermined contour, a bottom edge, and a back side such that the trimmed molding end has a contour that matches the molding face contour comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a die with an opening partially defined by at least one longitudinal wall having a die profile that is reversely arranged in comparison with the contour of the molding face;
• b. providing a punch having a side surface with a punch profile that is identical to the contour of the molding face;
• c. reciprocating the punch to a first position whereat it is disengaged from the die such that there is a space between the punch and the die;
• d. placing the molding on the die such that an end thereof overlies the die profile;
• e. reciprocating the punch into engagement with the die;
• and
• f. shearing the molding end with the punch to the contour of the die profile as the punch reciprocates into engagement with the die.