Ultrasonic-assisted cutting of wood

Ultrasonic-assisted cutting experiments have been performed on two wood species, spruce and beech in dry and wet state. Cutting forces and normal forces are measured and analysed with respect to uncut chip thickness (i.e. infeed depth) and linear correlation is found. Compared to conventional cutting reduction of cutting forces in the order of 50% is achieved at relatively small vibration amplitudes of 8 μm. The results are interpreted in terms of reduced friction forces caused by ultrasonic vibration of the cutting knife.