A novel cutting method and apparatus includes a cutting blade adapted to consistently and easily form a desirable kerf in a concrete substrate while capturing substantially all resulting concrete dust.

A locking device is described for a horizontal machining center with three or more axes comprising a locking member having a suction cup end for attaching to, and detaching from, a slab-like object which comprises a support surface of the machining center, a suction device operably connectable to the locking member for mutually engaging the suction cup end and the slab-like object, and an air supply arrangement operably connectable to the locking member to release air from the suction end to mutually disengage the suction end and the slab-like object and permit relative air-cushioned movement and desired positioning between the locking member and the slab-like object; a method for performing relative positioning between a locking member and a slab-like object is also described.

A machine processes a slab that is positioned with the finished face down on vacuum pods on a work table. The side edges of the slab are cut with the slab upside by following a mirror imaged slab cut layout to form a slab corresponding substantially to the shape of a countertop. Without removing the cut slab from the vacuum pods and maintaining the finished face down, the machine routes a sink hole using a finger bit that had been switched onto the spindle, the routing path based upon the mirror imaged slab cut layout. The slab is finished by forming an edge profile on the inside of any sink holes and edging and polishing the sides of the finished slab.

An apparatus includes a piece-supporting plane to support one or more worked pieces, and first and second gripping devices, respectively defining first and second gripping planes of a worked piece. The apparatus moves the first and the second gripping devices among: a picking position wherein the first or the second gripping device is configured to pick up a worked piece laid on the piece-supporting plane; an exchange position wherein the first gripping device and the second gripping device are mutually oriented such that the first and the second gripping planes of the worked piece are facing each other to allow transferring the worked piece from the first gripping device to the second gripping device, or vice versa; and a laying position, wherein the second gripping device or the first gripping device is configured to release the worked piece being transferred in the exchange position in a piece storage area.

A manufacturing method for a glass film includes at least a cutting step of cutting a strip-shaped glass film while conveying the glass film in a predetermined direction by a conveying device. In the cutting step, the glass film is cut in predetermined cutting zones by irradiating the glass film with laser beams. A support conveyance surface of the conveying device for the glass film is separated at the cutting zones for the glass film. Further, a first surface plate capable of supporting the glass film in a contact manner is disposed at a position that is located in a width direction of the glass film with respect to the cutting zones and corresponds to a center of a glass film obtained by the cutting in the width direction.