Abstract
The present paper presents a new cutting method named “Elliptical Vibration Cutting”. Synchronized twodirectional vibration is applied to the cutting edge in the plane including the cutting direction and the chip flow direction. The chip formed is mainly pulled out by the tool while the tool moves in the chip flow direction, and then the tool is restored to the cutting point without cutting in each cycle of the vibration. Orthogonal cutting experiments of copper are carried out within a scanning electron microscope, and it is confirmed that chip thickness, cutting force and cutting energy are reduced remarkably by applying the method proposed. Generation of burr is restrained, and quality of finished surface is also improved.