Patent ID: 7383097

Claim:
A method for managing machine tool data, the machine tool being operable to perform at least one operation cycle which includes at least one machining operation and at least one non-machining operation, the machine tool having at least one sensor operatively connected thereto for sensing a machine operation parameter, and a controller configured to output data related to the at least one operation cycle, the method comprising: operating the machine tool to perform at least a portion of an operation cycle which includes a non-machining operation; processing data from signals output from the at least one sensor and from the controller to define a non-machining operation-specific data profile for the non-machining operation; applying an algorithm to the non-machining operation-specific data profile to generate a non-machining operation-specific data point, thereby facilitating generation of a non-machining operation-specific trend line; determining at a first predetermined frequency a maximum value of the machine operation parameter from the signals output from the at least one sensor; storing the maximum value of the determined machine operation parameter at a second predetermined frequency; and comparing the stored maximum values to a predetermined limit value.