Patent ID: 7402009

Claim:
A machine for machining a flexible profile, comprising: a tool mounted on a tool holder, said tool being configured to machine the profile; a pair of mobile mandrels configured to releasably clamp the profile at free ends of respective arms and at either side of the tool along the profile; a support for the profile, said support comprising stationary mandrels configured to clamp the profile and a stationary structure, the stationary mandrels being mounted on the stationary structure through compliant connections; and a numerical control configured to control a position and displacement of a crosspiece, wherein the tool holder is mounted on the crosspiece; wherein during machining of said profile, said mobile mandrels are configured to move with said tool holder along said profile, wherein said mobile mandrels do not move the profile, said profile remaining stationary relative to the stationary mandrels; and wherein said compliant connections are configured to allow movement of the flexible profile during machining in response to deformations imposed on the flexible profile during machining.