Vibratory cutting apparatus and method comprising fluid bearings

A vibratory cutting apparatus, comprising:

• a transducer configured to generate vibrations with respect to an axial direction;
• a cutting element coupled to the transducer and configured to receive vibrations from the transducer and oscillate in the axial direction in response to the vibrations, the cutting element comprising:
• a horn portion comprising a first thickness (T1);
• and
• a blade portion integrally formed with the horn portion, the blade portion extending in the axial direction from the horn portion and terminating in a cutting edge, the blade portion comprising a width (W) and a length (L) perpendicular to the width (W), the width (W) and the length (L) defining a cutting plane of the blade portion extending in the axial direction, the blade portion further comprising opposing side surfaces extending from the horn portion to the cutting edge, and a second thickness (t) extending perpendicular to the cutting plane between the opposing side surfaces, the second thickness (t) less than the first thickness (T1);
• an actuator coupled to the cutting element and configured to move the cutting element through a cutting stroke in the axial direction;
• and
• a set of non-contact fluid static bearings configured to exert a fluid pressure on each of the opposing side surfaces that constrains vibrations of the blade oriented in directions transverse to the cutting plane.