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US 7,395,742 B2Granted
Method for using a 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
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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.
Claims9
A method for using a fast Z actuator to machine a work piece, comprising:
- providing a work piece having a surface to be machined;
- providing a fast Z actuator, 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 the surface of the work piece to be machined;
- and
- using the actuator to create structures in the surface of the work piece to be machined, wherein the structures are created by the tool tip as controlled by the actuator.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.