Abstract: A cutting system for cutting natural or composite products is disclosed. The cutting system includes a fixed shear cutting blade having a cutting edge that faces upwardly. The cutting system also includes a movable ram positioned above the cutting edge. The movable ram can be moved upwardly and downwardly relative to the cutting edge. In use of the cutting system, a product desired to be cut is fed between the movable ram and the cutting edge of the cutting blade. By moving the movable ram downwardly toward the cutting blade, the product is compressed against the cutting blade thereby causing the cutting edge of the cutting blade to cut upwardly through the product.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a composite product. The method involves compressing a semi-hydraulic medium within a compression cell thereby causing the semi-hydraulic medium to fill voids in the compression cell and to encapsulate an incompressible element within the compression cell. The present disclosure also relates to composite products made in accordance with the above method.