Tool holder assembly and method for modulation-assisted machining

A method of machining a body, the method comprising the steps of:

• mounting a tool holder assembly to a tool block on a machining apparatus, the tool holder assembly comprising a tool holder body secured to the tool block of the machining apparatus, a tool holder mounted on the tool holder body and securing a cutting tool thereto, a linear actuator, and a mechanical linkage between the tool holder and the tool holder body and operable to decouple the linear actuator from torsional and bending loads applied to the tool holder;
• and
• while machining a body with the cutting tool, imposing with the linear actuator a superimposed sinusoidal modulation on the tool holder so as to move the cutting tool relative to the tool holder body and thereby relative to the tool block of the machining apparatus, the superimposed sinusoidal modulation causing the cutting tool to move relative to the body and causing instantaneous and periodic separation between the cutting tool and the body at an intimate region of contact between the cutting tool and the body.

A method of machining a body, the method comprising the steps of:

• mounting a tool holder assembly to a tool block on a machining apparatus, the tool holder assembly comprising a tool holder body secured to the tool block of the machining apparatus, a tool holder mounted on the tool holder body and securing a cutting tool thereto;
• and
• while machining a body with the cutting tool, imposing a superimposed modulation on the tool holder so as to move the cutting tool relative to the tool holder body and thereby relative to the tool block of the machining apparatus, the superimposed sinusoidal modulation causing the cutting tool to move relative to the body in a direction of cutting velocity and causing instantaneous and periodic separation between the cutting tool and the body at an intimate region of contact between the cutting tool and the body, the product of the frequency and peak-to-peak amplitude of the superimposed sinusoidal modulation exceeding the local tangential velocity of the body to cause the instantaneous and periodic separation between the cutting tool and the body.