METHOD OF ULTRASONICALLY VIBRATING A WORKPIECE

摘要

A method for producing ultrasonic vibrations at a preselected amplitude in a workpiece (10). The method includes the steps of: providing a clamping element (82) having a surface to engage the workpiece; relatively moving the clamping element (82) and workpiece (10) between (a) a first relative position wherein the surface of the clamping element is spaced from the workpiece and (b) a second relative position wherein the surface of the clamping element is urged against the workpiece with a first predetermined force; energizing the surface of the clamping element from (a) a first state wherein the surface of the clamping element is one of (i) vibrating at a first amplitude and (ii) not vibrating to (b) a second state wherein the surface of the clamping element is ultrasonically vibrating at the preselected amplitude that is greater than the first amplitude; and coordinating relative movement between the clamping element and workpiece and energizing the surface of the clamping element to the predetermined amplitude so that the clamping element and workpiece realize the second relative position substantially at the same moment that the surface of the clamping element is energized to vibrate at the preselected amplitude.