Wireless Sensor Integrated Cutting Tools

casuprock · Dec 27, 2008

What would you want to see developed from this technology:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC4jHX-EWEk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC4jHX-EWEk

These tools use Bluetooth to transmit data from sensors located at various locations on the tool and tool holder. Information like torque, temperature, and vibration can be collected during cutting.

Torque data allows real time estimation of surface finish, prediction of chatter conditions, monitoring run out, and wear monitoring.

The real Leigh · Dec 27, 2008

Wireless is an unreliable communication technology. Always has been, always will be.

Using wireless in a machining environment is an invitation for a bunch of attorneys to get rich, and businesses to go bankrupt.

The first accident that happens on a machine using one of these tools, you won't be able to see over the top of the stack of legal paperwork. The shop owner will see the same pile of paper. And it won't make the slightest difference whether the tool was at fault or not.

Bad idea looking for a place to hide.

- Leigh

martel · Dec 28, 2008

Leigh,

I would respectfully have to disagree with you on the unsuitability of wireless in a machining environment. For sure critical systems are safer being wired. However for metrology purposes such as in situ monitoring (passive roles) this safety concern is minimal.

I personally have worked on wireless systems for machine monitoring in many semiconductor process systems (talk about risk averse people --- with one workpiece being worth 10's of thousands $$$$). You can learn alot from in situ monitor done in a passive sense and it is very easy to collect the data to prove it.

Mark

The real Leigh · Dec 28, 2008

martel said:
I would respectfully have to disagree with you on the unsuitability of wireless in a machining environment. For sure critical systems are safer being wired. However for metrology purposes such as in situ monitoring (passive roles) this safety concern is minimal.

Hi Mark,

I would agree with you in theory regarding process monitoring. I do have significant professional experience in the design of RF systems, as an engineer for Motorola.

But unfortunately that's not today's reality. The insanity that pervades our judicial system now is such that any manufacturer remotely associated with an industrial accident WILL be sued.

And they wonder what's happened to American industry.

Thanks.

- Leigh

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Wireless Sensor Integrated Cutting Tools

If your cutting tool could talk, what would it tell you?

I can tell how the tool is doing on my own.

Diagnose specific "problem areas" in my part process.

Manually alert me about problems.

Automated monitoring with controller feedback.

casuprock

Plastic

The real Leigh

Diamond

martel

Plastic

The real Leigh

Diamond

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