Characterisation of nonlinear behaviour of power ultrasonic drilling horns

In ultrasonic drilling, cutting and welding applications, ultrasonic devices are needed to generate large vibration velocities. It is renowned that whilst these devices are driven at high power their dynamic behaviour tends to exhibit nonlinear features. Until a fundamental understanding of this behaviour will not be achieved, and effective ways to control it developed, high power ultrasonics will unlikely find utilize in large scale industrial processes. This study is focused on the characterisation of the nonlinear behaviour of two power ultrasonic devices designed for rock drilling.