Patent ID: 7788998

Claim:
A precision machining system with a variable projected machining width of a cutting surface of a machining tool, the precision machining system comprising: a workpiece holder to hold a workpiece for machining; a machining tool holder to hold the machining tool such that a Z axis is substantially parallel to a centerline axis of the machining tool; a Z translation stage coupled to at least one of the workpiece holder or the machining tool holder to control a relative Z position of a tip of the machining tool and a surface of the held workpiece; an X translation stage coupled to at least one of the workpiece holder or the machining tool holder; a workpiece spindle coupled to the workpiece holder to rotate the workpiece about a workpiece axis parallel to the Z axis; a machining path controller electrically coupled to the X translation stage and the workpiece spindle, the machining path controller controlling the X translation stage and the workpiece spindle such that the tip of the machining tool traverses a machining path on the surface of the held workpiece; and a tool spindle coupled to the machining tool holder and said machining path controller to actively rotate the machining tool to a desired position about the centerline axis of the machining tool for a portion of the machining process, wherein rotation of the machining tool varies a width of the cutting surface of the machining tool projected perpendicular to the machining path.