Patent ID: 7686045

Claim:
A surfacing apparatus, utilizing an intermediate datum surface formed in a workpiece to form a flat surface, comprising: a first support, disposed at a first elevation, the first support being configured to support the workpiece to be surfaced; a second support having a plurality of substantially longitudinal spaced ridges, disposed at a second elevation, the ridges forming a plurality of grooves in the second support; a first cutterhead, disposed generally at the interface of the first support and the second support, the cutterhead including a plurality of cutting members, the cutting members being configured for forming a plurality of grooves in a workpiece corresponding to a datum plane, the datum plane being formed to a depth substantially equal to the second elevation; and a second cutterhead disposed in-line with the second support, the second cutterhead being disposed at a distance equal to the desired thickness of the workpiece from the second elevation, wherein the second cutterhead is operative to form a flat surface on the workpiece substantially parallel with the datum plane.