Precision high speed turning machine

Apparatus for performing a selected operation on a workpiece comprising:

• a workpiece mount, said mount leaving at least one surface of said workpiece exposed to be operated on;
• a mechanism for operating said mount to rotate the workpiece at a controlled high revolution rate;
• an indicator of workpiece rotational position;
• a tool adapted to performing said selected operation;
• a tool mount fixedly supporting said tool, said mount positioning the tool adjacent a portion of said at least one surface which is to be operated on, said mount having a rotatable portion which is movable with said tool in a direction having a component perpendicular to said at least one surface, said portion of the mount having a weight and having an inertia to movement of the tool in said direction which are substantially minimized consistent with stiffness requirements on said mount for said operation so as to permit movement of the tool with a very high acceleration;
• a drive transducer acting through said tool mount to affect at least one of a position and pressure parameter of the tool movement of said mount in the direction of said perpendicular component being greater at substantially said tool than elsewhere on said portion of the mount;
• and
• a controller for said drive transducer, which controller is responsive at least in part to said indicator.