Rotating tool holder assembly for modulation assisted machining

A machine tool holder for coupling to a machine apparatus for machining a work piece, the tool holder comprising—a body configured for being secured to a tool block of the machining apparatus, a ball-spline bearing assembly encased within the tool holder having an axially extending passageway and an axis, a tool engaging nose rigidly coupled to the ball-spline bearing assembly such that the tool nose is capable of movement parallel to a rotational axis of the tool block, and a linear actuator centrally disposed in the axial passageway along the axis of the tool holder, encased within the body and configured to actuate the ball-spline bearing assembly to move in cyclic linear manner in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the tool block;

• a cutting tool coupled to the tool engaging nose for rotational and linear movement with the tool engaging nose;
• a controller and signal conductor for continuously imparting power to the linear actuator for imposing a desired oscillating movement upon the cutting tool relative to the work piece for causing instantaneous and periodic separation between the cutting tool and the work piece at a region of contact between the cutting tool and the work piece;
• and a fluid passageway for conducting a fluid from a position proximal of the linear actuator to a position distal of the linear actuator, wherein a portion of the fluid passageway extends axially though the body in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the tool holder, wherein the fluid passageway is disposed radially outwardly of the linear actuator, and wherein the fluid passageway does not permit contact between the fluid and the linear actuator;
• further comprising a plurality of fluid passageways disposed radially outwardly of the linear actuator and the bearing member.