Linear feed cutting apparatus and method

An apparatus for cutting a workpiece, the workpiece having opposed edges and opposed faces, the apparatus comprising:

• a linear feed assembly for moving a workpiece along a longitudinal axis of the workpiece, the linear feed assembly having an upstream linear feeder and a downstream linear feeder, the upstream and downstream linear feeders each capable of moving the workpiece upstream and downstream;
• and
• a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, the cutting blade having a maximum cut length;
• wherein the cutting blade is automatically pivotable about a vertical axis by a first actuator controlled by a computer;
• wherein the cutting blade is automatically movable along a transverse axis by a second actuator controlled by the computer;
• wherein the cutting blade is automatically rotatable about a horizontal bevel axis by a third actuator controlled by the computer;
• wherein the apparatus is capable of automatically creating a scarf cut at an angle of other than 90 degrees with respect to the edges of the workpiece and extending from one opposed edge of the workpiece to the other opposed edge of the workpiece, and wherein the scarf cut has a length greater than the maximum cut length of the blade, the cutting assembly operable to make the scarf cut by simultaneously automatically moving the cutting blade transversely across the workpiece and automatically moving the workpiece longitudinally using the linear feed assembly;
• wherein the apparatus is operable to automatically create a bevel cut on a workpiece, the bevel cut being at other than a 90 degree angle to the opposed faces of the workpiece, by rotating the blade about the bevel axis and then moving the blade to make the bevel cut;
• and
• wherein the apparatus is operable to create a compound angle cut on the workpiece, the compound angle at other than a 90 degree angle to both the faces and edges of the workpiece, by simultaneously automatically moving the cutting blade and automatically moving the workpiece longitudinally using the linear feed assembly.