The Mathematical Principles of Cognitive Processing

A method and apparatus for cutting a fiber-cement material. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a blade assembly having an alignment member with a first finger portion and a spaced apart second finger portion. Each finger portion has a guide surface and the two guide surfaces define a guide plane. A reciprocating cutting member is pivotably coupled between the finger portions and is moveable relative to the finger portions transverse to the guide plane between a first position and a second position. The cutting member has a blade portion with outwardly facing side surfaces that have a first axial dimension when intersected by the guide plane with the blade in the first position and a second axial dimension, approximately equal to the first axial dimension, when intersected by the guide plane with the blade in the second position. The cutting tool can cut the fiber-cement material along an arcuate path having a radius approximately equal to the first and second axial dimensions.