Rotary ultrasonic machining: effects of tool natural frequency on ultrasonic vibration amplitude

Rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM) is a hybrid machining process that combines the material removal mechanisms of grinding and ultrasonic machining. RUM has been applied to hole-making for a wide range of materials. It is known that ultrasonic vibration amplitude has significant effects on cutting force, torque, and surface finish in RUM. One experimental observation that has been reported in the literature multiple times states that different tools show different vibration amplitudes on the same ultrasonic power level. However, no analyses can be found in the literature to explain this observation. The existence of this knowledge gap makes it difficult to explain some experimentally obtained trends or to conduct more realistic physics-based modeling work. The objectives of this research are to understand the effects of tool natural frequency on ultrasonic vibration amplitude in RUM, to provide an explanation to the observation and verification of measurement methods, and also to guide tool design and selection in RUM. Ultrasonic vibration amplitudes of tools are measured by three methods and compared. It is found that tool natural frequency significantly affects ultrasonic vibration amplitude. The tool with its natural frequency closest to that of the ultrasonic power supply (20 kHz) generates the highest ultrasonic vibration amplitude on every ultrasonic power level tested.