US 2002/0152851 A1 · Elliptical vibration cutting method and elliptical vibration cutting apparatus

Abstract

A workpiece is cut by a cutting tool that is attached to a cylindrical support body vibrated by at least two piezoelectric drive elements. The efficiency of the mechanical vibration is improved by attaching the piezoelectric drive elements to a cylindrical body portion (7,7.1,7.2) of the tool support body (2) and by providing the support body with a plurality of necked-down end sections. At least the cylindrical body portion (7,7.1,7.2) is a cylinder with a substantially circular cross-section or with a circular cross-section to provide a constant or a substantially constant bending rigidity of the cylindrical tool support body.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for cutting a workpiece by a vibratory action, comprising the following steps:

(a) securing at least a first and a second piezoelectric element (9, 10) with a 90° angular, circumferential, on-center spacing between said at least first and second piezoelectric elements to a cylindrical body portion (7, 7.1 or 7.2) of a support body (2) for a cutting tool (6), said support body having a central longitudinal axis, said cylindrical body portion having a circular or substantially circular cross-section;
(b) securing a cutting tool (6) to at least one outer end of said support body (2);
(c) applying electrical power to said at least first and second piezoelectric elements for vibrating said support body with a vibration having an elliptical or circular vibration locus (16);
and
(d) engaging said cutting tool (6) and said workpiece (5) with each other for cutting said workpiece.

2 more elements

An apparatus for cutting a workpiece by vibratory action, said apparatus comprising a vibratory tool support body (2) having a cylindrical body portion (7,7.1,7.2) with a circular or substantially circular cross-section wherein said cylindrical body portion (7,7.1,7.2) comprises a circumferential, peripheral surface forming a cylinder that has said circular or substantially circular cross-section, at least two piezoelectric drive elements including a first and a second piezoelectric drive element (9, 10) secured to said cylindrical body portion (7,7.1,7.2) of said vibratory tool support body (2) with a 90° angular on-center circumferential spacing between said at least first and second piezoelectric drive elements (9, 10), a mounting surface (20) for securing a tool (6) to one end of said vibratory tool support body, and means (11) for energizing said at least first and second piezoelectric drive elements for vibrating said vibratory tool support body (2) by a vibration having an elliptical or circular locus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Elliptical vibration cutting method and elliptical vibration cutting apparatus

Life of this patent

Elliptical vibration cutting method and elliptical vibration cutting apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19