Apparatus for cutting sheet material
AssigneeGerber Technology, Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Pomerleau, Joseph R. Vivirito, Ivan Markowitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for cutting sheet material allows multiple layups of sheet material to be cut in side-by-side or stacked relationship on the cutting table of a computer controlled cutting machine. A different marker or array of pattern pieces can be cut from each of the stacked layups. Also, for certain layups, whether stacked or not, markers are located with reference to the centerline of the layup to insure that the pattern pieces of the marker are cut symmetrically or in alignment with ornamentation or designs in the material.
Claims8
Apparatus for cutting a multiple number of layups of sheet material according to a multiple number of markers each associated with a respective one of the layups and each marker including data on at least one pattern piece to be cut the apparatus comprising:
- a cutting table defining a support surface extending in longitudinal and transverse directions for holding the multiple number of layups of sheet material on the support surface during a cutting operation with at least some of the layups being arranged in side-by-side relationship;
- a tool support extending in the transverse direction from one side of the cutting table to the other side of the cutting table;
- a cutting tool mounted to the tool support and movable relative to the support surface in cutting engagement with the layups on the surface to cut pattern pieces from the layups in accordance with the markers;
- origin setting means for setting a location of an origin of each marker of each layup with respect to the support surface of the cutting table;
- and
- programming means responsive to the origin setting means for enabling the cutting tool to cut pattern pieces deriving from different markers and positioned on different layups in side-by-side relationship with one another along a cutting path generally progressively advancing along the longitudinal direction of the support surface of the cutting table in a single cutting operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.