Patent ID: 7036411

Claim:
A method of cutting parts from an elongated workpiece on a miter saw comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a nominal transverse dimension of the workpiece; (b) selecting at least two dimensional criteria of the parts from the group of criteria consisting of a first length dimension, a second length dimension, a linear offset between said first and second length dimensions, a first cutting angle and a second cutting angle; (c) providing sensing means on the miter saw for sensing at least one surface of the workpiece, and determining an actual transverse dimension of the workpiece with said sensing means as the workpiece is being fed longitudinally; (d) generating a feed length of the workpiece and a cutting angle of a saw head to position the workpiece and the saw head in response to any variation between said actual and nominal transverse dimensions; and (e) actuating the saw head for cutting the parts from the workpiece by cutting off a length of the workpiece such that the selected critical dimensional criteria are substantially maintained.