A method for detecting tool wear on a CNC lathe using a doppler radar detector

Installing a non-contact in-process tool wear detection system on a computer numerical control lathe can help prevent product defects and improve product quality without impacting product cycle time. Many methods have been proposed for non-contact in-process tool wear detection. In particular, a recent international patent application describes a method for measuring the torque in a rotating axle using a high-frequency wireless transmitter/receiver and a vibrating string. The method has reportedly been used to detect cutting on a manual lathe. The authors present a new method for measuring tool wear using a high-frequency wireless transmitter/receiver alone, without a vibrating string. The high-frequency transmitter/receiver apparently responds to metal-metal contact noise rather than, or more strongly than, to signals generated by a vibrating string. The findings could help bring automated tool wear monitoring systems closer to the level of performance needed for practical use in industry.