Tool Condition Monitoring (TCM) — The Status of Research and Industrial Application

Abstract

The use of sensor systems for tool condition monitoring in machining and grinding is becoming more commonplace to enhance productivity. Many approaches have been proposed to accomplish tool condition monitoring and a number of these are successfully employed in industry. This paper reviews the motivation and basis for the utilization of these systems in industry, the sensors used in such systems including industrial application, new developments in signal and information processing, sensor based process optimization and control and directions for future developments. Main developments noted include the use of multiple sensors in systems for increased reliability, the development of intelligent sensors with improved signal processing and decisionmaking capability and the implementation of sensor systems in open architecture controllers for machine tool control.