Abstract: A form-cutting machine is disclosed for cutting a form in a flat surface of a sheet of material such as glass in response to a numerical control signal, the shape of the form being determined by the numerical control signal. The form-cutting machine comprises a frame, sheet-support means for supporting the sheet of material to be cut, an X-direction carriage-positioning assembly, a Y-direction carriage-positioning assembly, and a tool carriage having a cutting tool mounted on it so that the cutting tool can be positioned in a plane in which the cut is to be made. Each carriage-positioning assembly includes a carriage support member which extends generally perpendicular to a direction of motion, two guide members fixed to the frame which are spaced apart from one another and extend generally parallel to the direction of motion, and two sliders connected to ends of the carriage support member and slideably mounted on the two guide members.

Abstract: An electric control system for a numerically-controlled form-cutting machine is disclosed. The form-cutting machine has two drive motors for moving a cutting tool respectively in an X direction and a Y direction. The control system comprises X-channel and Y-channel program-encoding means for encoding a program for numerically controlling the motion of the cutting tool in the X and Y directions respectively. The control system further comprises a magnetic-tape unit, for example, a cassette recorder, which can record the encoded programs on two tracks of magnetic tape. The control system further comprises X-channel and Y-channel program-decoding means for converting the signals played back from the magnetic-tape unit into signals suitable for controlling the motion of the cutting tool. The control system also includes conductive means interconnecting the components of the system.