Apparatus for cutting material and method

A method for cutting a material, comprising the steps of:

• providing a cutting apparatus for cutting the material, wherein the cutting apparatus comprises a frame assembly, a rotatable chuck mounted to the frame, a cutter mounted to the frame, and a plurality of rotating members within at least one bracket mounted to the frame;
• gripping the material with the rotatable chuck;
• moving the rotatable chuck axially along the axis of rotation to position the material in a desired position relative to the cutter;
• moving a shaft connected to the at least one bracket vertically with respect to the frame assembly to contact or vertically support the material with the plurality of rotating members;
• rotating the rotatable chuck to rotate the material about an axis of rotation as the material is supported by the plurality of rotating members;
• and
• cutting the material with the cutter, wherein a portion of the material remains gripped by the rotatable chuck and another portion of the material is severed by the cutter.

A cutting apparatus for cutting a material, comprising:

• a chuck for holding and rotating material, wherein the chuck rotates about an axis of rotation, wherein the chuck is movable along the axis of rotation;
• a cutting element for cutting the material, wherein the cutting element is movable vertically atop a vertical member for positioning the cutting element adjacent to the material for cutting;
• and
• a first plurality of rotating elements for supporting the material during cutting operations, wherein the first plurality of rotating elements are mounted within at least one bracket, wherein the at least one bracket is connected to a shaft, wherein the shaft is movable vertically to align the material with the chuck.