Patent ID: 6202002
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B23Q,G05B

Abstract:
A system for automatically monitoring tool status so as to provide an instantaneous tool status indication for a stock removal cutter cutting identical workpieces in accordance with a given machining operation for which a substantially new stock removal cutter of the same type has a reference average tool wear coefficient R.sub.0, the system comprising:(a) means for determining a main drive cutting torque M during the cutting of an ith successive workpiece;(b) an instantaneous tool wear coefficient processor for calculating a plurality of instantaneous tool wear coefficients r.sub.(j) for the stock removal cutter during the cutting of said ith workpiece;(c) an averace tool wear coefficient processor for calculating an average tool coefficient R.sub.(i) for the stock removal cutter from said plurality of instantaneous tool wear coefficients r.sub.(j) ; and(d) a tool wear coefficient comparator for comparing said average tool wear coefficient R.sub.(i) to the reference average tool wear coefficient R.sub.0 to provide an instantaneous tool status indication for the stock removal cutter after cutting each ith successive workpiece;characterized in thatsaid instantaneous tool wear coefficient processor calculates an instantaneous tool wear coefficient r.sub.(j) in accordance with the general relationship: M.sub.(j) =A.sub.0 F.sub.(j).sup..alpha. r.sub.(j).sup..beta. wherein F is the instantaneous feed rate of the relative movement between the stock removal cutter and a workpiece and A.sub.0, .alpha. and .beta. are coefficients dependent on the stock removal cutter cum workpiece material combination.