System and method for reducing oscillating tool-induced reaction forces

An apparatus for reducing the vibration transferred to a machine frame by an oscillating tool assembly supported by said frame, said tool oscillating along a first axis, comprising:

• a machine frame,
• an oscillating tool assembly mounted to said frame which oscillates at a frequency f1, has a mass M1, an acceleration A1, a velocity V1, produces a force FA1 given by M1*A1, a force FV1 given by k1*V1 where k1 is a constant, and a combined force F1=FA1+FV1, said oscillating tool assembly oscillated with a voice coil responsive to a first drive signal,
• a linear sliding means mounted to said frame,
• a weight mounted on said sliding means,
• a voice coil assembly comprising a housing and an armature, said armature coupled to said weight and arranged to oscillate said weight on said sliding means along said first axis in response to a second drive signal, said weight, armature, and any other components which are coupled to and move with said weight comprising a weight assembly which is oscillated at a frequency f2, has a mass M2, an acceleration A2, a velocity V2, produces a force FA2 given by M2*A2, a force FV2 given by k2*V2 where k2 is a constant, and a combined force F2=FA2+FV2, and
• a drive circuit which provides said second drive signal and which receives a first input which is proportional to A1 and a second input which is directly proportional to V1, said drive circuit arranged such that said second drive signal varies with said first and second inputs to drive said weight assembly such that f1 is about equal to f2 and F2 is about equal to −F1 and thereby reduce vibration induced in said frame by said oscillating tool.