Cutting apparatus with vacuum hold-down and cut sealing means

Abstract

Abstract Apparatus particularly adapted for cutting a porous workpiece such as, for example, a fabric layup or the like and having a vacuum hold-down table including a workpiece supporting surface and a sheet or panel of thin flexible substantially air-impervious sheet material for substantially covering the exposed surface of a workpiece supported on the table surface. The sheet material cooperates with the vacuum table to draw the workpiece toward the supporting surface and to apply compacting force thereto. A reciprocally moveable cutter or blade is supported for movement relative to the table surface to advance in cutting engagement with the sheet material and the workpiece to form a cut therein. A payoff reel mounted on the blade supporting means carries the roll of sealing tape which is dispersed in overlying relation to the cut as the blade advances to seal an associated portion of the cut against substantial passage of air therethrough thereby minimizing vacuum loss.

Inventors

• 👤 Heinz Joseph Gerber

Bibliographic Details