Tool Life Monitoring

There are various systems available as part of modern CNC controllers, which are termed tool management systems that are able to keep track of the actual time for which each of the tool is in use. When the tools are entering the system (loading in the tool magazine), the expected tool life is entered in the controller memory along with all other tool related information such as offsets. This value is usually a conservative estimate of the tool life expected relies on the work materials and the process parameters employed. This value can be usually acquired from machinability data banks used on the shop floor or from preceding experience.

As machining proceeds with several components, the controller records the actual time for which each tool is employed. This time employed while subtracted from the expected tool life provides the left-over tool life for each tool. While the left-over tool life is less than a fixed nominal value, the controller initiates the action for replacing it by a sister tool. Controllers manufactured via Yamazaki, Fanuc, Sinumeric and others comprises this type of tool management option available with them.

It is as well possible to have tool life monitored outside the controllers, for instance the tool life of all the tools present in the manufacturing system containing more than one machine tool may be monitored in an IBM PC compatible.