Patent ID: 6294757
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: B23K,B23P,B27L,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for separating a slice of wood from a block of wood along a line of controlled failure in the block of wood through the application of force in combination with a laser light comprising the steps of:thrusting a cutting device comprising a wedge-shaped blade having an upper surface and a lower surface into the block of wood wherein the upper surface and the lower surface converge toward a leading edge on the blade at an acute angle and are connected to the leading edge;directing laser light from at least a portion of the leading edge of the blade onto the block of wood along a line of controlled failure; andapplying force to the blade in the direction of the line of controlled failure wherein the upper surface exerts force against the slice of wood while the lower surface exerts force against the block of wood thereby advancing the blade and the laser light into the block of wood separating the slice of wood from the block of wood along the line of controlled failure.