Patent ID: 7687975

Claim:
A vibration assisted machining (VAM) system, comprising: a frame; a vibration element mechanically coupled to the frame, the vibration element including a first piezoelectric (PZT) actuator and a second PZT actuator adapted to generate a substantially elliptical tool path in a vibration plane of the VAM system; a cutting tool holder connected to the vibration element; a workpiece holder coupled to the frame; a motion stage configured to position at least one of the cutting tool holder and the workpiece holder; and a further vibration element comprising a third PZT actuator coupled between the frame and one of: the vibration element; or the workpiece holder; wherein the third PZT actuator is independent of the motion stage and is coupled to the frame such that a polarization axis of the third PZT actuator is substantially in the vibration plane and substantially perpendicular to a feed direction of the VAM system.