The Boeing Company
Apparatus and methods for cutting materials

Abstract:

A cutting apparatus including a cutting blade configured to slide along a surface of an anvil to cut tow material. The cutting blade includes a first bottom face portion and a cutting edge. The cutting blade further includes a second bottom face portion positioned between the first bottom face portion and the cutting edge. The first bottom face portion is configured to contact the surface of the anvil when the cutting blade slides along the surface to cut the tow material. The second bottom face portion and the cutting edge are located above the first bottom face portion such that the second bottom face portion and the cutting blade are free of contact from the surface when the cutting blade slides along the surface to cut the tow material.