Ultrasonic cutting blades and systems and methods for cutting workpieces
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRicardo A. Fritzke, Austin B. Ball, Christopher R. Brown, Shane E. Arthur, Marianne E. Wilkinson, Jonathan Y. Ahn
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Abstract
An ultrasonic cutting blade includes a first end, a second end, and a curved body. The curved body extends between the first end and the second end. The curved body includes a first edge that is configured to contact a workpiece for performing a cutting operation on the workpiece. The curved body includes a radius of curvature that varies between a minimum radius of curvature and a maximum radius of curvature.
Claims22
An ultrasonic cutting blade comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end;
- and
- a curved body that extends between the first end and the second end,
- wherein:
- the curved body comprises a first edge that is configured to contact a workpiece for performing a cutting operation on the workpiece;
- and
- the curved body comprises a radius of curvature that varies between a minimum radius of curvature and a maximum radius of curvature.
An ultrasonic cutting system comprising:
- an ultrasonic cutting blade;
- and
- an ultrasonic cutting tool that transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the ultrasonic cutting blade,
- wherein:
- the ultrasonic cutting blade comprises:
- a first end;
- a second end;
- and
- a curved body that extends between the first end and the second end;
- the curved body comprises a first edge that is configured to contact a workpiece for performing a cutting operation on the workpiece;
- and
- the curved body comprises a radius of curvature that varies between a minimum radius of curvature and a maximum radius of curvature.
A method for cutting a workpiece, the method comprising steps of:
- positioning an ultrasonic cutting blade at a cutting angle relative to a workpiece surface of the workpiece;
- moving the ultrasonic cutting blade along cut path to form an arcuate cut;
- during the moving, changing the cutting angle of the ultrasonic cutting blade;
- and
- varying a cut radius of curvature of the arcuate cut between a minimum radius of curvature and a maximum radius of curvature based on the changing of the cutting angle.
A method for reducing chatter during an ultrasonic cutting operation, the method comprising steps of:
- transferring ultrasonic vibrations through two contact interfaces between an ultrasonic cutting blade and a blade holder that connects the ultrasonic cutting blade to a source of the ultrasonic vibrations;
- and
- reacting to deflection of the ultrasonic cutting blade through the two contact interfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.