When manufacturing a plurality of strip members by cutting a belt-like member along a length direction thereof, the belt-like member having embedded therein a plurality of reinforcement cords arranged parallel to each other, and a weft thread that intersects the reinforcement cords, a captured image showing images of at least the reinforcement cords in a cross section of one end of the belt-like member in the length direction is used to detect the position of the image of each of the reinforcement cords (RC). The number of the actual reinforcement cord (RC) to which each of the images of the reinforcement cords (RC) corresponds is determined on the basis of an interval between the images of the detected adjacent reinforcement cords (RC) in the image and an average cord interval, and a cutting position (Xa) is set.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus of reducing current requirements by increasing resistance of the blade structure by reducing the cross sectional area of at least one section of the blade so that the electrical current requirements for heating of the blade to cutting temperature are reduced wherein the power supply and substantially entire unit may be mounted within a hand held unit. Methods of shaping blades to perform various heat distributions for specialty blades for custom cutting are disclosed. Further, an improved blade mounting structure is provided which includes structure for maintaining the legs of the blade parallel to the direction of cut and provides for easy insertion of new blades by maintaining a slotted blade cradle stable and in alignment with the blades and a clamp member away from the blade when the clamp mounting structure is loosened.

A method and apparatus for removing a section from a tire is disclosed. The method and apparatus are configured so that one side of a saw blade used to cut a section from a tire is treated by dulling. The treatment allows for the removal of a section of a tire so cords embedded in various layers of the tire are protected from damage and the surface texture surrounding the removed section of the tire is adequate for repair.