Self-sharpening tooling design for ultrasonic impact grinding of cmcs

Abstract

A tool for an ultrasonic impact grinding machine driven to vibrate along a longitudinal axis includes a hollow tool body and a hollow tip extending from an end of the hollow tool body. The hollow tip has an outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves. The hollow tool body and the hollow tip are disposed about the longitudinal axis and the hollow tip and hollow tool body are each defined in part by a common bore extending along the longitudinal axis.

1 . A tool for an ultrasonic impact grinding machine driven to vibrate along a longitudinal axis, the tool comprising:
 a hollow tool body; and   a hollow tip extending from an end of the hollow tool body, the hollow tip having an outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves;   wherein the hollow tool body and the hollow tip are disposed about the longitudinal axis; and   wherein the hollow tip and hollow tool body are each defined in part by a common bore extending along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grooves extends to a terminal end of the hollow tip. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of grooves is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of grooves is angled 30 to 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of grooves is helical. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of grooves extends longitudinally. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grooves forms a plurality of blades having cutting edges. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the common bore is configured to receive a slurry of abrasive particles. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein grooves of the plurality of grooves are uniformly spaced. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 9 , wherein the grooves have a uniform size and shape. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves extends a full length of the hollow tip. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the common bore is connected to a vacuum configured to evacuate an abrasive slurry and debris from the terminal end through the hollow tip and the hollow tool body. 
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the common bore is connected to an abrasive slurry source and configured to deliver the abrasive slurry through the terminal end of the hollow tip and wherein the plurality of grooves is configured to evacuate the abrasive slurry and debris during operation of the ultrasonic impact grinding machine. 
     
     
         14 . A method of ultrasonic impact grinding comprising:
 applying longitudinal vibration to a tip of a tool in the direction of an axis of the tool;   impacting a substrate with the tip;   supplying an abrasive slurry to a terminal end of the tip; and   evacuating the abrasive slurry and debris from the terminal end of the tip;   wherein the abrasive slurry is supplied through a bore extending longitudinally through the tool or the abrasive slurry and debris is evacuated through the bore extending longitudinally through the tool.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the abrasive slurry is supplied through the bore extending longitudinally through the tool and the abrasive slurry and debris is evacuated through grooves disposed on an outer surface of the tip. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the abrasive slurry is supplied through grooves disposed on an outer surface of the tip and the abrasive and debris is evacuated through the bore extending longitudinally through the tool. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  and further comprising applying torsional vibration to the tip. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the torsional vibration is provided by grooves disposed on an outer surface of the tip, the grooves angled with respect to the axis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the grooves are helical. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  and further comprising rotating the tip.