THE ADAPTABILITY OF A TOOL WEAR MONITORING SYSTEM UNDER CHANGING CUTTING CONDITIONS

✍ Scribed by R.G. SILVA; K.J. BAKER; S.J. WILCOX; R.L. REUBEN

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 346 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0888-3270
• DOI: 10.1006/mssp.1999.1286

✦ Synopsis

The process of metal cutting is a complex phenomenon that has been researched for many years but the aim of practical cutting tool condition monitoring has yet to be achieved. Previous work by the current authors using two neural networks (to classify acquired data) moderated by an Expert System (based on Taylor's tool life equation) has shown that it is possible to accurately monitor tool wear with a single machine/tool/material/cutting condition combination and to identify any inconsistencies between the predictions of the neural networks and engineering practice. This paper investigates the e!ects that minor inconsistencies in cutting conditions might have on such a system by determining the &zone of in#uence' of this working system by systematically varying the cutting conditions whilst keeping all other variables "xed. The investigation has found that the zone of in#uence is small but usable, and an approach to the utilisation of the system in a machine shop is suggested.