Sheffield Cavitron-Anyone Heard Of It?

Hi Eric,

That's a little before my time - I had to do some searching to even work out what it was. So for the benefit of others reading this (I think Eric knows this already), there's a good description by JimK on the [url=http://www.practicalmachinist.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_... Machinist forum[/url]. Here's a snippet:
[quote]Think of a Sinker EDM for non conductive stuff.

The surface finish and the "overcut" are determined by the abrasive size.

The accelerators are made with a parabolic taper and Monel Metal seems to be preferred. This shape seems to react with the frequencies at which the transducer operate and give the hammer a little more Oomph.

Although they don't tell you, this is not a machine for women or men with sensitive hearing. The process is called "ultrasonic" but there are vibrations and resonances that are audable and go all the way up to low radio frequencies. The thing drove me nuts.[/quote]

So, an axial-mode ultrasonic machining device using a diamond slurry along with the hammer action of an ultrasonic probe to drill through hard materials...

Eric, if the original manufacturers are unable / unwilling to help maybe a manufacturer of modern high power ultrasonic equipment would be able to give you some general information, and perhaps still be in contact with some of their retired staff who had experience of similar 60s stuff. Perhaps they're avidly reading this forum (I wish!) but alternatively you could try contacting them directly. I think [url=http://www.bullen-ultrasonics.com]Bullen Ultrasonics[/url] is in the same business and may be a neighbour of yours?

I hope you get some more useful answers from people with personal experience to share. Good luck with the project in any case. If I can help please let me know.

Chris