Machine tool for and method of single point diamond turning

摘要

A machine tool for single point diamond turning for use with a workpiece holder which holds and rotates a workpiece, the machine tool comprising a tool carrier arranged for movement towards and away from the workpiece, a rigidly held piezo-electric element to which the tool carrier is operatively coupled and resistance means to resist movement of the tool carrier towards the workpiece, so that when a voltage is applied to the piezo-electric element it expands and moves the tool carrier towards the workpiece against the resistance of the resistance means. The invention also provides a single point diamond turning method in which additional movements of the diamond tool of up to 100 µm are superimosed on movements controlled by conventional lathe controls by applying a voltage across the piezo-electric element.