Patent · US Expired

Cutting tool wear monitor

US4694686A · kind A · utility

36Cited by
16References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 24, 1986
Grant dateSep 22, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 24, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T408/14
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus by which the degree of wear and useful life limitations of a drill, end mill or other types of metal removal tools can be detected. The method is based on the short circuit current, open circuit voltage and/or power that is generated during metal removal by the utilization of an insulated rotary tool bit to which electrical contact is made by a non-rotating conductor and an insulated or non-insulated workpiece, with an external circuit connecting the tool and workpiece through a measuring device. The generated current, voltage or power shows a sharp increase or change in slope upon considerable tool wear and/or at the point of failure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.