Method and machine for fabricating a decorative inlaid floor

Abstract

A method of creating a decorative inlaid floor includes the first step of providing a cutting implement, such as a router, which is operable to machine an inlay recess in a finished wood floor. The next step is to position the router over a section of the floor and move the router in a particular manner so that the desired inlay recesses are machined. The operating and movement step requires that the decorative pattern be predetermined and a control program or NC tape be generated so as to control the drive motors which are associated with each of four slide assemblies. Once the desired inlay recesses are machined into the main floor, the control program is modified by scaling it up to a larger size and is then utilized on a panel of a contrasting material. A typical example would be to select a contrasting wood for the inlay elements. The reprogrammed router is then located over the second material panel and operated so as to machine a larger inlay recess in that second material panel. A by-product results in the form of a 'plug' which has a size and shape virtually identical to the inlay recess machined in the main floor. In this manner, a precise fit is ensured, allowing for the fast and efficient conversion of a finished wood floor into a decorative inlaid floor.