Tool wear measurement on basis of optical sensors, vision systems and neuronal networks (application milling)

The system for tool wear measurement described above enables one to measure the flank wear of each single insert of a milling cutter with high precision and in the working range of a machine tool. A comparison of the results of the vision system with those of a measuring microscope verifies the method of optical tool monitoring. Further examinations concentrate on the one hand on the optimization of the system for an industrial use and on the other hand on various methods to analyze the image data. The use of neuronal networks might help to process the pixel information in a much shorter time. An automatic calculation of tool offset values will also be needed in future.