Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of dispensing cut sheet material, particularly foam sheet material, which comprises a first fixed pair of sheet-retainer bars, and a second, movable pair of sheet-retainer bars and a cutting knife, the second pair of retainer bars and the cutting knife adapted to move with a reciprocating piston, and a control means, so that the sheet material is moved sequentially between the first and second retainer bars while being dispensed from a supply roll, the sheet retained under tension between the first and second retainer bars and the sheet, while under tension, severed by the cutting knife which passes into an air space between the first pair of sheet-retainer bars, thereby providing for rapid, effective and efficient means for the dispensing and cutting of sheet material to defined lengths.