CNC Tool Monitoring: Cutting Signature Analysis
The signature analysis feature is used to accurately monitor the exact path of a tool in cut. It allows monitoring cutting processes where the material diameter changes consistently during a cut. With diameter changes, the RPM varies as the material increases or decreases causing sensor fluctuations unrelated to the tooling.
To perform this, the signature analysis software learns the entire signature (path) of a cut using any sensor type. The user can define boundaries around the learned signature, both above and below it. These boundaries define a window that the signature must stay within to satisfy a good cut. If any portion of the signature of a monitored tool exceeds the warning (yellow) or extreme (red) boundaries, an alarm is generated.
Key Features
- Monitors the entire path of a tool in cut
- Certifies optimum surface finish of each monitored part
- Alarms when any portion of the cut exceeds a user-defined boundary
- Identifies when material is missing anywhere in a cut
- Ideal for Constant Surface Speed Cutting Operations
In manufacturing, this applies to such constant surface speed cutting as facing and turning operations on a CNC lathe, where the RPM is being adjusted automatically to maintain a proper chip load. The lathe starts cutting at the original diameter of the part and as it removes material, the diameter is consistently decreasing. Those RPM changes cause a fluctuation in power which is difficult to monitor with typical tool monitoring. By learning the signature of the cut and setting boundaries around the learned signature, these cuts can be accurately monitored to ensure optimal surface finish.
Products with Signature Analysis Capability
Adaptive Tool Monitoring System
CNC Sensor Analysis System