Machine Monitoring
Machine Monitoring
This section is a little different to the other material on the site and looks at some of the consultancy projects we have been involved in regarding power monitoring strategies and process monitoring of machining applications.
Wireless Strain measurement in CNC turning
Click here for some more information on a project where wireless passive strain sensors were applied to a CNC turning operation in an OKUMA LT15M machine tool.
Three Phase power measurements on HURCO CNC milling machine
Click here for further details on a power measurement data monitoring and analysis system we designed in order to characterise the energy usage in a CNC operation.
Monitoring of CNC Broaching
Monitoring of the Broaching process
This project has only recently come online and involves the novel application of strain measurement equipment on a broaching tool to indirectly assess the process forces. A broaching tool was digitised and modelled. The cutting process was simulated in software to assess where the optimal position for the straining of the equipment was. Based on the model and practical considerations strain sensors were strategically mounted to the tool.
The process was modelled in an Instron loading machine where work-piece samples were run through the teeth of the broaching tool to simulate the actual cutting process.
Both wired and wireless strain data were captured from the system and compared to the industry-standard 3-axis cutting force dynamometer results. Work is ongoing and tests in a real industrial broaching machine will be carried out in the future.
