Sensors provide real-time tool monitoring

摘要

Faster and more reliable manufacturing processes, with less human intervention, should be possible thanks to a UK collaboration to develop printable sensors for real-time monitoring of machined metal parts. Dubbed Intelligent Tooling, the two-year Innovate UK-funded project will develop sensors and electronic components that can be embedded close to the cutting surface of the tooling inserts in machining systems. The sensors will be designed to monitor parameters including temperature, force, acoustic emission and vibration. This should improve processing times and tool usage, according to Steven Bagshaw, at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), one of the partners in the Intelligent Tooling project.