Energy accumulation in mechanical resonance and its use in drive systems of impact machines

An innovative method utilizing the phenomenon of mechanical resonance in machine drive systems of impact machines has been described. Energy accumulated in mechanical resonance is typically multiple times larger than the continuously supplied excitation energy. The amount of accumulated energy depends on the amplitude of vibration, mass and stiffness of system and present energy dissipation mechanisms. This form of energy can be extracted periodically each time after the amplitude of vibration reaches its maximum value. This effect could be implemented in drive systems of periodically operating machines, such as punching machines and presses. Significant reduction of energy demand in machines that use mechanical resonance in comparison with conventional machines was confirmed by means of simulations and experiments. Accumulation of the energy at mechanical resonance and its sequential extraction were presented together with a new prototype resonance punching press.