Abstract
This paper describes the design, construction, and performance confirmation of an ultrasonic regulator used for controlling the workpiece rotation speed in microscale centerless grinding. The ultrasonic regulator is constructed by bonding a plate-shaped piezoceramic device on an I-shaped metal body (SUS304), on the end face of which microscale elliptic vibration is generated. The structure and dimensions of an ultrasonic regulator capable of controlling the workpiece rotation speed in microscale centerless grinding was designed by FEM analysis. Following workpiece rotation control tests under grinding-like configuration, an ultrasonic regulator produced was installed on an existing centerless grinder to perform actual microscale centerless grinding operations involving a tungsten carbide pin-shaped workpiece 0.6mm in diameter and 15mm in length. The experimental result gave a microscale workpiece 60μm in diameter and 15mm in length.
