Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for cutting various materials and more specifically pieces of wood.The apparatus according to the invention, comprises a table and a pressure plate between which is held a piece of wood to be cut. The said table and the said plate are supported by a drum connected to a rotary driving device, equipped with radial forward movement devices. The cutting device also comprises a cutting tool installed in such a way that its knife acts on the piece of wood in accordance with a constant cutting radius.The process and apparatus of the invention are applicable to the cutting of various materials and more particularly pieces of wood, with a view to obtaining thin planar products, calibrated in thickness, of excellent quality and of perfect appearance.