Tool Condition Monitoring (TCM) Strategies for Automation in Manufacturing Processes-An Overview

This paper discusses about the need to have Tool Condition Monitoring (TCM) Systems for achieving automation in manufacturing processes. Based on the literature available, some of the important techniques of tool condition monitoring are discussed. The complexity of the metal cutting processes with different variables coming to play during the process, makes it impossible for use of a single technique for TCM. In order to improve the reliability of TCM systems for better monitoring of metal cutting processes, the need for 'Sensor Integration’ is emphasized. Artificial Neural Networks are one of the most widely used method for sensor integration. A brief overview of the same is presented next.