Patent ID: 7290471
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: B23B,B23Q,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A virtual center Y actuator for use in machining a work piece, comprising: a main body having a back side, a front side, and a mounting block on the front side; a flexible unit on the front side of the main body, wherein the flexible unit has a plurality of sides connected via flex points; a piezoelectric stack secured and preloaded on the mounting block, and attached to the flexible unit, such that the piezoelectric stack extends substantially parallel to the front side of the main body; and a tool tip carrier attached to the flexible unit and having a surface for mounting a tool tip, wherein the piezoelectric stack moves the flexible unit via the flex points in order to cause a rotation of the tool tip carrier about a y-direction axis substantially parallel to a surface of the work piece to be machined.