Patent ID: 7154530

Claim:
A method of cutting out one at least one shape (S) preset in sheet material ( 10 ), the at least one preset shape (S) having a pattern (P) with predetermined geometry and having at least one fiducial (F,F 2 . . . ), each of the at least one fiducial (F,F 2 . . . ) corresponding to predetermined coordinates in the pattern (P), comprising: locating the global coordinates of located one or more fiducials (F,F 2 . . . ) corresponding to a located shape (S) of the at least one shape (s) with a vision system ( 12 ) while the sheet material ( 10 ) moves relative to the vision system ( 12 ) and relative to a cutting system ( 11 ); cutting the pattern (P) for the located shape (S), the pattern (P) being superimposed relative to the located one or more fiducials (F,F 2 . . . ), while concurrently locating the global coordinates of subsequent one or more fiducials (F,F 2 . . . ) for at least a subsequent shape (S) in the moving sheet material ( 10 ); and substantially continuously repeating the concurrent processes of cutting the located shape (S) while locating the global coordinates of subsequent one or more fiducials (F,F 2 . . . ) for the at least one subsequent shape (S).