Abstract

A new cutting method is proposed for the milling of metals by means of a double stage feed drive mechanism. This design combines the long stroke motion provided by a ball screw feed drive and a fine motion provided by a piezo actuator. The piezo actuator exerts a fluctuating displacement on a flexure platform where the workpiece is clamped. The proposed design has the ability to move the worktable with only one degree of freedom very precisely. High frequency fluctuating voltage results in rapid displacement of the piezo actuator. Experimental tests have been carried out with varying feed rates, obtaining reduced cutting forces. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.