Application of statistical filtering for optical detection of tool wear

The application of automated tool condition monitoring systems is very important for unmanned machining systems. Tool wear monitoring is a key factor for optimization of the cutting processes. Basically, tool wear monitoring systems can be subdivided into two classes: direct and indirect. Currently direct tool wear monitoring systems are most frequently based on machine vision by camera. Several approaches have been studied for tool wear detection by means of tool images, and an innovative statistical filter proved to be very efficient for worn area detection. A new approach has been implemented and tested in order to develop an automatic system for tool wear measurement. This new approach is described in this paper and the main topics related to tool wear monitoring using wear images have been discussed, (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.