Acoustic emission signals for tool wear identification

In practical machining applications, there are two different approaches to evaluate the efficiencies of tool quality or its wear resistance; tool life obtained on the basis of experimental tests or the determination of process identification parameters, considering the tool as a part of monitoring equipment. In this paper, the latter is presented. With the application of the new sensing principle of acoustic emission (AE) signals, different tool wears, as one of the main important factors connected with workpiece surface quality, are detected. Using different tool materials and their protective coatings, the tribological conditions at the tool-workpiece interface are identified to indicate changes in wear at the tool flank, especially when we exceed the upper limits of the tool wear recommended for finish machining. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.