An effective sensor for tool wear monitoring in face milling: Acoustic emission

Acoustic Emission (AE) has been widely used for monitoring manufacturing processes particularly those involving metal cutting. Monitoring the condition of the cutting tool in the machining process is very important since tool condition will affect the part size, quality and an unexpected tool failure may damage the tool, work-piece and sometimes the machine tool itself. AE can be effectively used for tool condition monitoring applications because the emissions from process changes like tool wear, chip formation i.e. plastic deformation, etc. can be directly related to the mechanics of the process. Also AE can very effectively respond to changes like tool fracture, tool chipping, etc. when compared to cutting force and since the frequency range is much higher than that of machine vibrations and environmental noises, a relatively uncontaminated signal can be obtained. AE signal analysis was applied for sensing tool wear in face milling operations. Cutting tests were carried out on a vertical milling machine. Tests were carried out for a given cutting condition, using single insert, two inserts (adjacent and opposite) and three inserts in the cutter. AE signal parameters like ring down count and rms voltage were measured and were correlated with flank wear values (VB max). The results of this investigation indicate that AE can be effectively used for monitoring tool wear in face milling operations.     

铝基碳化硅精密铣削刀具磨损实验研究

针对铝基碳化硅切削加工中刀具易磨损、寿命低、切削难度大和加工成本高等问题,选用不同材料的硬质合金铣刀及金刚石铣刀进行切削加工实验,并利用扫描电镜和工具显微镜对高体积分数铝基碳化硅铣削时刀具磨损形态进行了分析研究.研究表明:硬质合金刀具前刀面和刃口磨损主要形式为粘结磨损和微崩刃,后刀面磨损主要为刻划磨损,而金刚石铣刀加工时刀具磨损很小;YG6X铣刀材料微观组织致密,抗磨损能力较强,宜粗加工时选用;金刚石刀体的硬度远大于SiC颗粒,且金刚石与工件的摩擦系数小,金刚石铣刀寿命远大于硬质合金铣刀,宜精加工时选用.     

Design,evaluation and optimisation of cutter path strategies when high speed machining hardened mould and die materials

The use of high speed milling (HSM) for the production of moulds and dies is becoming more widespread. Critical aspects of the technology include cutting tools, machinability data, cutter path generation and technology. Much published information exists on cutting tools and related data (cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cut, etc.). However, relatively little information has been published on the optimisation of cutter paths for this application. Most of the research work is mainly focused on cutter path generation with the main aim on reducing production time. Work with regards to cutter path evaluation and optimisation on tool wear, tool life, surface integrity and relevant workpiece machinability characteristics are scant. Therefore, a detailed knowledge on the evaluation of cutter path when high speed rough and finish milling is essential in order to improve productivity and surface quality. The paper details techniques used to reduce machining times and improve workpiece surface roughness/accuracy when HSM hardened mould and die materials. Optimisation routines are considered for the roughing and finishing of cavities. The effects of machining parameters notably feed rate adaptation techniques and cutting tools are presented.     

On-line condition monitoring of tool wear in end milling using acoustic emission

The monitoring of tool wear is important in maintaining the quality of workpieces produced. This paper presents a methodology to monitor on-line tool wear in end milling using acoustic emission. It is well known that the root-mean-square (RMS) value of the acoustic emission is directly proportional to the power expended in turning. A mathematical model has been developed to predict the RMS value of the acoustic-emission signal in milling. This mathematical model incorporates the machining parameters as variables. The accuracy of the model has been verified by a series of experiments. The experiments were carried out on a Bridgeport milling machine and data was collected and analysed by using an on-line computer data acquisition system. A comparison of the experimental and theoretical RMS values indicates a very good agreement between them. A control strategy similar to the moving average/moving range charts has been developed for monitoring on-line tool wear. The limits for the control charts were obtained from the theoretical equation of statistical quality control. An observation of the control charts clearly indicates the region of tool failure and the time at which the tool failed. The philosophy behind the use of control charts is based on the ease of implementation and widespread use in industry.     

Machining of high performance workpiece materials with CBN coated cutting tools

The machining of high performance workpiece materials requires significantly harder cutting materials. In hard machining, the early tool wear occurs due to high process forces and temperatures. The hardest known material is the diamond, but steel materials cannot be machined with diamond tools because of the reactivity of iron with carbon. Cubic boron nitride (cBN) is the second hardest of all known materials. The supply of such PcBN indexable inserts, which are only geometrically simple and available, requires several work procedures and is cost-intensive. The development of a cBN coating for cutting tools, combine the advantages of a thin film system and of cBN. Flexible cemented carbide tools, in respect to the geometry can be coated. The cBN films with a thickness of up to 2 µm on cemented carbide substrates show excellent mechanical and physical properties. This paper describes the results of the machining of various workpiece materials in turning and milling operations regarding the tool life, resultant cutting force components and workpiece surface roughness. In turning tests of Inconel 718 and milling tests of chrome steel the high potential of cBN coatings for dry machining was proven. The results of the experiments were compared with common used tool coatings for the hard machining. Additionally, the wear mechanisms adhesion, abrasion, surface fatigue and tribo-oxidation were researched in model wear experiments.     

Real-time cutting simulation system of a milling operation for autonomous and intelligent machine tools

The conceptual architecture of autonomous and intelligent machine tools has been proposed not only to generate flexibly the process and operation plan but also to utilize the machine tools and cutting tools' performance while satisfying the requirements of the products and avoiding unexpected machining trouble. In order to realize the autonomous milling, machining strategy such as tool paths and cutting conditions must be decided, not in advance like current NC machining, but in a real-time manner. The objective of this research is to develop a real time machining optimization with machining simulation. Consequently, a cutting simulation system called a virtual machining simulator has been developed for this purpose. This simulator can calculate the changing geometry of the workpiece and estimate the instantaneous cutting force, torque, etc using the physical model. This estimated information enables the system to decide the suitable cutting conditions according to the machinability evaluated. In this paper, the machining status is evaluated and the cutting conditions are modified in real time so that the requirement of the machining operation is satisfied by referring to the physical model. The reliable and safe machining operation is carried out by maintaining the cutting force and torque desired value.     

Machining performance of low temperature treated P-30 tungsten carbide cutting tool inserts

Machining studies were conducted on C45 workpiece using both untreated and low temperature treated tungsten carbide cutting tool inserts. The machinability of the C45 steel workpiece is evaluated in terms of flank wear of the cutting tool inserts, main cutting force and surface finish of the machined workpieces. The flank wear of low temperature treated carbide tools is lower than that of untreated carbide tools on machining of C45 steel. The cutting forces during machining of C45 steel is lower with the low temperature treated carbide tools when compared with the untreated carbide tools. The surface finish produced on machining the C45 steel workpiece is better with the low temperature treated carbide tools when compared with the untreated carbide tools.     

Assessment of the effectiveness of a spindle power signal for tool condition monitoring in machining processes

Less expensive and ‘readily available’ process monitoring techniques are needed to be effective in industrial machining processes. Spindle motors on modern computer numerical control machine tools allow easy access to the monitoring of spindle power. Whilst a spindle power signal fulfils the requirements for simple process monitoring, such a signal can trigger ‘machine alarms’ when process malfunctions occur. Little analysis has been done to assess the sensitivity of a spindle power signal relative to interrupted/continuous cutting processes. This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of a spindle power signal for tool condition monitoring in three machining processes: milling, drilling and turning. Based on cutting force/torque, the cutting power was calculated and a comparison between the theoretical cutting power and the spindle power signal was performed. Tool condition monitoring using spindle power could be successful in continuous machining processes (turning and drilling), while for discontinuous machining operations (milling), the spindle power signal showed reduced sensitivity to detect small uneven events such as chipping of one tooth. The results were used to define the sensitivity limitations when using a spindle power signal for tool condition monitoring on different computer numerical control machining centres where continuous and discontinuous machining operations are performed.     

On-line tool condition monitoring in face milling using current and power signals

The vast majority of tool condition monitoring systems use the cutting force as the predictor signal. However, due to prohibitive cost to performance ratios and maintenance and operational problems, such methods are not favoured by industries. In this paper, a method for continuous on-line estimation of tool wear, based on the inexpensive spindle motor current and voltage measurements, is proposed for the complex and intermittent cutting face milling operation. Sensors for these signals are free from problems associated with the cutting forces and the vibration signals. Novel signal processing strategies have been proposed for on-line computation of useful features from the measured signals. Feature space filtering is introduced to obtain robust and improved predictors from the extracted features. A multiple linear regression model, built on the filtered features, is then used to estimate tool wear in real-time. Very accurate predictions are achieved for both laboratory and industrial experiments, surpassing earlier results using cutting forces and estimation methods based on complex methodologies such as artificial neural networks.     

Influence of radial depth of cut on entry conditions and dynamics in face milling application

The choice of milling cutter geometry and appropriate cutting data for certain milling application is of vital importance for successful machining results. Unfavorable selection of cutting conditions might give rise to high load impacts that cause severe cutting edge damage. Under some circumstances the radial depth of cut in combination with milling cutter geometry might give unfavorable entry conditions in terms of cutting forces and vibration amplitudes. This phenomenon is originated from the geometrical features that affect the rise time of the cutting edge engagement into workpiece at different radial depths of cut. As the radial depth of cut is often an important parameter, particularly when machining difficult-to-cut materials, it is important to explore the driving mechanism behind vibrations generation. In this study, acceleration of the workpiece is measured for different radial depths of cut and cutting edge geometries. The influence of the radial depth of cut on the dynamical behavior is evaluated in time and frequency domains. The results for different radial depths of cut and cutting geometries are quantified using the root mean square value of acceleration. The outcome of this research study can be used both for the better cutting data recommendations and improved tool design.     

CRYOGENIC MACHINING OF KEVLAR COMPOSITES

Previous attempts to machine Kevlar aramid fibre reinforced plastics (KFRP) with conventional cutting tools have proven to be extremely difficult. This has somewhat restricted the material's usage, often negating the advantages of its high strength to weight ratio and fatigue tolerance. The present paper describes a novel technique of machining KFRP under cryogenic conditions with remarkable results compared to those obtained at ambient temperatures. The investigation carried out with turning operation shows dramatic improvement of the tool performance and surface quality. The effects of various machining parameters such as workpiece temperature, cutting speed and tool geometry on the machinability of KFRP are presented and analyzed. It appears that care is necessary to judge the tool life as the typical tool wear growth and surface finish or cutting force may produce contradictory results. It is also suggested that, for KFRP, surface finish of the machined workpiece is a very good criterion to determine the tool life. To aid the understanding of the machining mechanics, a microscopic investigation of the cutting zone while actually machining a testpiece at ambient and cryogenic temperatures is also reported.     

Study of deformation zone effects of low,conventional, high and very high speed machining

The paper deals with cutting speed in range 3 m?min^‐1 up to 2200 m?min^‐1 and its complex impact mainly on chip macroscopic shape, chip microstructure, chip compression, tool wear, tool life and machined surface quality and interprets and compares the effects regarding low, conventional, high and very high speed machining based on the dry turning of carbon steel by sintered carbide coated by titanium nitride and ceramic cutting inserts. The deformation zone response for different cutting speeds at the tool‐chip‐workpiece interfaces and their effect on tool wear were studied. The extensive (so called complete) experiments within wide range of values and large number of measurements were carried out. The formation of secondary chip occurring in high speed turning is reported. Moreover, the paper analyses the total machining time involving tool replacement time in terms of high speed machining regarding the obtained experimental results.     

Investigation on tool wear and tool life prediction in micro-milling of Ti-6Al-4V

Short tool life and rapid tool wear in micromachining of hard-to-machine materials remain a barrier to the process being economically viable. In this study, standard procedures and conditions set by the ISO for tool life testing in milling were used to analyze the wear of tungsten carbide micro-end-milling tools through slot milling conducted on titanium alloy Ti-6 Al-4 V. Tool wear was characterized by flank wear rate,cutting-edge radius change, and tool volumetric change. The effect of machining parameters, such as cutting speed and feedrate, on tool wear was investigated with reference to surface roughness and geometric accuracy of the finished workpiece. Experimental data indicate different modes of tool wear throughout machining, where nonuniform flank wear and abrasive wear are the dominant wear modes. High cutting speed and low feedrate can reduce the tool wear rate and improve the tool life during micromachining.However, the low feedrate enhances the plowing effect on the cutting zone, resulting in reduced surface quality and leading to burr formation and premature tool failure. This study concludes with a proposal of tool rejection criteria for micro-milling of Ti-6 Al-4 V.     

Studies on Machining Parameters While Milling Particle Reinforced Hybrid (Al6061/Al2O3/Gr) MMC

In this article, response surface methodology has been used for finding the optimal machining parameters values for cutting force, surface roughness, and tool wear while milling aluminum hybrid composites. In order to perform the experiment, various machining parameters such as feed, cutting speed, depth of cut, and weight (wt) fraction of alumina (Al₂O₃) were planned based on face-centered, central composite design. Stir casting method is used to fabricate the composites with various wt fractions (5%, 10%, and 15%) of Al₂O₃. The multiple regression analysis is used to develop mathematical models, and the models are tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Evaluation on the effects and interactions of the machining parameters on the cutting force, surface roughness, and tool wear was carried out using ANOVA. The developed models were used for multiple-response optimization by desirability function approach to determine the optimum machining parameters. The optimum machining parameters obtained from the experimental results showed that lower cutting force, surface roughness, and tool wear can be obtained by employing the combination of higher cutting speed, low feed, lower depth of cut, and higher wt fraction of alumina when face milling hybrid composites using polycrystalline diamond insert.     

声发射和小波包分解技术在刀具磨损状态中的应用

随着现代加工工业的发展,对刀具磨损的监测在保障生产安全和产品质量中发挥着越来越重要的作用。声发射技术是刀具磨损监测的一种新方法。在车削加工过程中采集声发射信号,用声发射信号对刀具磨损状态进行识别。利用小波包分解技术对信号进行分析,得到有效的特征量作为BP神经网络的输入样本,并对网络进行学习训练,完成对刀具磨损状态的有效识别。     

刀具磨损声发射信号小波分析中小波基的选取

针对在用小波理论分析刀具磨损声发射（AE）信号时选取不同的小波基对分析结果有重要影响的问题,通过对小波基性质和刀具磨损AE信号特点的研究,从理论上分析了小波分析中刀具磨损AE信号处理中小波基选取的方法。在试验验证过程中,根据信号在小波包分解前后遵循能量守恒的原理,用四种小波基对刀具磨损AE信号进行三层小波包分解。以经小波包分解后AE信号各频带上的频带能量为特征参数,比较四种情况下特征参数的变化,验证了理论分析的正确性。     

Multi-attribute optimization of end milling epoxy granite composites using TOPSIS

Epoxy granite composites are identified and recognized as better materials for machine tool applications due to inherent damping properties. However, end milling of these composites has not been explored much. Milling of epoxy granite composites presents a number of problems, namely, cutting forces and surface roughness appear during machining. This research work focuses on end milling of epoxy granite composite specimens using high-speed steel end mill cutter by varying the cutting conditions such as spindle speed and feed with a uniform depth of cut and selection of optimal machining parameters. The experimental runs of 27 different trials were carried out and three different attributes such as thrust force, tangential force, and surface roughness were analyzed. This research work presents a sequential procedure for machining parameters selection. Selection of optimal machining parameters is done on the basis of Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method.     

Tool condition monitoring in milling using vibration analysis

Monitoring the condition of cutting tools in any machining operation is very important to avoid unexpected machining trouble and improve machining accuracy. This paper presents the use of vibration analysis of the cutting process in milling to indicate the presence and progression of damage incurred by an end mill. The metal cutting experiments were performed on a mild steel workpiece without using any coolant to accelerate damage to cutter, and classical processing schemes in time and frequency domains were applied to the resulting vibrations of cutting process to obtain diagnostic information. Moreover, developing fault features were also illustrated using both scalogram and its mean frequency variation. It has been found that scalogram and its mean frequency are both capable of revealing the features of not only localized, but progressive fault more clearly in the presence of strong noise than conventional time and frequency domain analyses. Furthermore, the global average of the mean frequency variation provides a useful indicator signifying the progression of wear, whereas time domain statistics do not give any consistent trend.     

Tool life and cutting forces when machining XC 45 steel

Machinability equations have been developed for prediction of tool life when machining XC 45 steel with P 10 and P 30 carbide inserts. A marked difference in cutability was observed between separate batches of P 10 inserts. A new criterion of tool life is suggested.

Equations are developed relating cutting forces to cutting conditions and to tool wear measurements. It is suggested that the percentage increase of the feed force may be suitable as a monitor of tool performance. The effect of cratering upon feed force is discussed and it is concluded that cratering should not necessarily affect feed force.

A slight positive correlation between cutting force and cutting speed has been observed for the radial and feed forces but not for the vertical cutting force.     

Wear monitoring of single point cutting tool using acoustic emission techniques

This paper examines the flank and crater wear characteristics of coated carbide tool inserts during dry turning of steel workpieces. A brief review of tool wear mechanisms is presented together with new evidence showing that wear of the TiC layer on both flank and rake faces is dominated by discrete plastic deformation, which causes the coating to be worn through to the underlying carbide substrate when machining at high cutting speeds and feed rates. Wear also occurs as a result of abrasion, as well as cracking and attrition, with the latter leading to the wearing through the coating on the rake face under low speed conditions. When moderate speeds and feeds are used, the coating remains intact throughout the duration of testing. Wear mechanism maps linking the observed wear mechanisms to machining conditions are presented for the first time. These maps demonstrate clearly that transitions from one dominant wear mechanism to another may be related to variations in measured tool wear rates. Comparisons of the present wear maps with similar maps for uncoated carbide tools show that TiC coatings dramatically expand the range of machining conditions under which acceptable rates of tool wear might be experienced. However, the extent of improvement brought about by the coatings depends strongly on the cutting conditions, with the greatest benefits being seen at higher cutting speeds and feed rates. Among these methods, tool condition monitoring using Acoustic Techniques (AET) is an emerging one. Hence, the present work was carried out to study the stability, applicability and relative sensitivity of AET in tool condition monitoring in turning.