3D tool wear measurement and visualisation using stereo imaging

Tool wear detection has traditionally restricted itself to 2D study and measurement. A new technique for the measurement and visualisation of tool wear pattern has been presented in this paper. This method provides visualisation of the tool wear geometry using a pair of stereo images and generates the volume of crater wear as a new parameter for inspection. The results demonstrate that the volume of crater wear can be effectively used to characterise the tool wear. The average depth of the tool wear and surface area of the crater are also obtained as parameters for measurement. The technique provides a fast and a possible on-line method of tool wear analysis and measurement. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.