This contribution presents a novel design approach for vibration assisted machining (VAM). A lot of research has already been done regarding the influence of superimposed vibrations during a milling process, but there is almost no information about how to design a VAM tool where the tool is actually rotating. The proposed system consists of a piezoelectric actuator for vibration excitation, an inductive contactless energy transfer system and an electronic circuit for powering the actuated tool. The main benefit of transferring the required power without mechanical contact is that the maximum spindle speed is no longer restricted by friction of slip rings. A detailed model is shown that enables for preliminary estimation of the system's response to different excitation signals. Experimental data are provided to validate the model. Finally, some parts are shown that have been manufactured using the contactlessly actuated milling tool.Actuators 2018, 7, 19 2 of 17 apparent power operation. The vibration frequency and necessary stroke determine the type of the piezoelectric actuator.In VAM, when enhancing the machining process enhancement, e.g., cutting force and tool wear reduction or chip breakage improvement, is the focus, the piezoelectric actuators are driven at a single excitation frequency in resonance operation mode. The used frequencies are mainly in the ultrasonic frequency range. The advantage of high vibration frequencies is a higher possible upfeed velocity and thus decreased machining time at a given rate of vibrations per tool revolution [1] (p. 157).Research in VAT is based on non-resonant piezoelectric actuation to allow for nearly arbitrary periodic vibration forms of the tool tip. Both one-and two dimensional vibrations of either the tool tip or the workpiece are under investigation. Almost all actuators designed for examining VAT are non-rotating devices [8][9][10][11]. In [10], a 1D-actuator design was suggested and investigated that allows for vibration frequencies from DC up to 40 kHz. This enlarged frequency range comes at the cost of larger actuator volume. An off-the-shelf 1D-actuator for examining texturing under turning processes was chosen in [8]. As an add-on tool for conventional machines, Ref.[11] developed a 2D-actuator for elliptic cutting processes with rotating workpieces. Similarly, Ref.[12] developed and investigated an 2D-actuator for elliptic VAT in milling processes. There, the actuator is embedded in a cooling chamber. Contrary to the others, in [9], it is not the tool that is actuated but the workpiece, which limits their sizes. The application is also a milling process.Up to now, only Ref.[13] suggests a milling tool with an integrated rotating piezoelectric actuator. This tool allows for arbitrary cutting profiles. Using a specially shaped cutting plate, they showed the possibility to cut nearly any pattern into the surface of an object. The main disadvantage of this system is that the electrical power is transferred to the actuator using slip rings; therefore, the cutting...