Method and apparatus for forming a contoured surface

Forming apparatus (10) embodying the concepts of the present invention has a base (12). A carriage (14) is supported on the base (12) so as to be translatable along a translational direction (16). A cradle (46) is mounted on the carriage (14) for rotation about a rotational axis (48). The cradle (46) is adapted to support a block (B) of material. A cutting member (92) is adapted to engage the block (B) of material upon translation of the carriage (14) along the translational direction (16). A rotational rate selector (70) selectively controls the range through which the cradle (46) rotates in response to translation of the carriage (14). The method embodying the present invention thus utilizes the following steps. The block (B) to be contoured is mounted on a cradle (46) having a translational direction (16) and a rotational axis (48). A linear cutting member (92) is presented substantially perpendicular to the translational direction (16), and the cradle ( 46) is simultaneously translated and rotated relative to the cutting member (92). The block (B) is severed with the cutting member (92) simultaneously with the relative translation thereof to form contoured surfaces (S) on the opposed separated portions of the block (B).