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US 7,350,442 B2Granted
Cutting tool having variable movement in a z-direction laterally along a work piece for making microstructures
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsDale L. Ehnes, Alan B. Campbell, Daniel S. Wertz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with a tool tip. The actuator provides for variable control of the movement of the tool tip in a z-direction laterally along the work piece, while maintaining the tool tip at a substantially constant position in an x-direction into the work piece, for use in making microstructures in the work piece.
Claims20
A fast Z actuator for use in machining a work piece, comprising:
- a main body having a back side, a front side, and a mounting section on the front side;
- a piezoelectric stack secured and preloaded on the mounting section such that the piezoelectric stack extends substantially parallel to the front side of the main body;
- and
- a tool tip connected to the piezoelectric stack, wherein the tool tip includes a cutting portion extending substantially perpendicular to the piezoelectric stack,
- wherein the piezoelectric stack moves the tool tip in a z-direction substantially parallel a surface of the work piece to be machined.
2 more elements
An apparatus for machining a cylindrical work piece, comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical work piece mounted for rotational movement;
- a drive unit connected to the work piece for rotating the work piece;
- a tool post mounted on a track for movement substantially parallel to a surface of the work piece to be machined;
- an actuator mounted on the tool post, the actuator comprising:
- a main body having a back side, a front side, and a mounting section on the front side;
- a piezoelectric stack secured and preloaded on the mounting section such that the piezoelectric stack extends substantially parallel to the front side of the main body;
- and
- a tool tip connected to the piezoelectric stack, wherein the tool tip includes a cutting portion extending substantially perpendicular to the piezoelectric stack,
- wherein the piezoelectric stack moves the tool tip in a z-direction substantially parallel a surface of the work piece to be machined;
- and
- a controller, connected to the drive unit and the actuator, for controlling the rotation of the work piece via the drive unit and the movement of the tool tip via the piezoelectric stack.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.