Passive optimal tool structures for vibration cutting

Higher surface quality of the machined workpiece is obtained when the cutting tool is excited at high-frequency vibrations that are superimposed on its continuous movement. Traditionally excitation of high-frequency vibrations at the tool cutting edge needs special equipment, which poses challenges for implementation of such vibrational cutting tool in industrial environment. More effective could be the passive way with respect to structural changes of the tool. The main idea is based on the intensification of higher vibration modes of a cutting tool as a flexible structure. Higher modes are characterized by higher frequencies and lower vibration amplitudes, which induces vibrational cutting effect that results in a better quality of the machined surface. Furthermore, intensification of a higher mode increases the magnitude of internal energy dissipation inside tool material and thereby makes the tool a more effective damper, which positively influences the amplitudes of workpiece or machine tool itself, providing the possibility to reduce chatter.