Method of punching out a damper from a damper material having a constraint layer, punching apparatus used for the method, and attaching apparatus with the punching apparatus

A method of punching out a damper from a damper material set on a punching stage with use of a hollow punch, the damper material including a viscoelastic body layer and a constraint layer laminated on the viscoelastic body layer, the viscoelastic body layer including an attaching surface through which the damper material is detachably attached on an exfoliative member, the method comprising:

• setting the exfoliative member on a supporting surface of the punching stage and on a top surface of a vibrational part that is arranged in a hole having an opening defined by the supporting surface of the punching stage, the supporting surface of the punching stage being flat and being a top surface of the punching stage, the punching stage being a block or a plate and, the supporting surface of the punching stage being flush with the top surface of the vibrational part when the vibrational part is not vibrated so that the exfoliative member contacts the supporting surface of the punching stage and the top surface of the vibrational part, the hole having an inner peripheral surface spaced from the vibrational part;
• vibrating the vibrational part at ultrasonic frequency with a vibration amplitude that is less than a thickness of the exfoliative member relative to the punching stage that is stationary while the exfoliative member contacts the supporting surface of the punching stage and the top surface of the vibrational part, hereby a part of the exfoliative member positioned on the vibrational part is vibrated by the vibrational part and a part of the exfoliative member positioned on the supporting surface of the punching stage and surrounding the part of the exfoliative member positioned on the vibrational part, is supported by the supporting surface of the punching stage;
• punching out the damper from the damper material on the vibrating part of the exfoliative member so that the punched damper is positioned within a hollow portion inside of the punch while vibrating the vibrational part at ultrasonic frequency;
• and
• continuing the vibrating of the vibrational part while the punched damper remains attached on the exfoliative member and is positioned within the hollow portion inside of the punch.