Contour sawing, or more broadly, contour cutting, refers to the process of cutting along a specific outline, profile, or irregular shape in a material. Unlike straight cuts, contour cutting follows a curved or non-linear path to create detailed forms.
Understanding Contour Cutting
The fundamental idea behind contour cutting is to precisely follow a predetermined line – the "contour" – to separate a piece of material or create an internal cut-out. This technique is essential in many industries and crafts where complex shapes are required.
General Contour Sawing vs. Contour Cutting
While "contour sawing" traditionally refers to using tools like band saws or scroll saws to cut intricate shapes in materials such as wood, metal, or thick plastics, "contour cutting" is a broader term that applies to following contours on various materials using different methods.
Contour Cutting on a Vinyl Cutter: A Specific Example
One specific application of contour cutting is found in the use of plotting machines like vinyl cutters. These machines are designed for precision cutting of thin materials like vinyl, paper, and cardstock.
According to information regarding vinyl cutters (a type of plotting machine), contour cutting in this context is used to cut around the outline of a printed design or graphic. This means the machine follows the exact edge of an image or text that has been printed onto the material, allowing the design to be peeled away from the surrounding waste material with a perfect border.
Applications of Contour Cutting on Vinyl Cutters
- Signage and Decals: Creating stickers, labels, and graphics with custom shapes.
- Apparel Decoration: Cutting designs from heat transfer vinyl to apply to clothing.
- Crafts and Scrapbooking: Cutting intricate paper or cardstock designs for projects.
- Prototyping: Cutting templates or small parts from thin materials.
Comparing Types of Contour Cutting
Here's a simple comparison to highlight the differences between traditional contour sawing and contour cutting on a vinyl plotter:
| Feature | General Contour Sawing | Contour Cutting (Vinyl Plotter) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Tool | Band Saw, Scroll Saw, CNC Saw | Vinyl Cutter, Plotter |
| Materials | Wood, Metal, Thick Plastic | Vinyl, Paper, Thin Cardstock |
| Purpose | Cutting complex parts/shapes | Cutting outlines of graphics |
| Material Thickness | Medium to Thick | Thin |
In essence, while the term "contour sawing" often implies cutting harder, thicker materials with a saw, the principle of following an outline is shared with "contour cutting," a process applied to different materials using specialized tools like vinyl cutters for precise graphic outlines.
