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.