Patent attributes
A machining apparatus capable of irregularly forming a plurality of dimples on a surface of a workpiece in a short period of time. The machining apparatus includes a tool for machining a plurality of dimples on a surface of a workpiece, each dimple having a depth in a first direction; a drive unit for displacing the tool relative to the workpiece in the first direction and a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction; a controller for controlling the drive unit so as to displace the tool relative to the workpiece in the first direction such that the tool cuts into or leaves the workpiece, while the tool is being moved relative to the workpiece in the second direction, wherein a trigger of the displacement of the tool in the first direction is timing calculated by using a second waveform, the second waveform being determined by comparing the magnitude of a first waveform with a predetermined threshold, at least one of frequency and amplitude of the first waveform being irregular.