improvements in detector systems state of wear of tool

摘要

A worn tool detector system for analyzing input signals from a sensor were the signal is in the form of an analog waveform exhibiting periodic impulses exceeding the average amplitude thereof as the tool wears. A microprocessor controlled variable gain amplification network is utilized to normalize the average waveform amplitude to a fixed level. During machine operation, impulses are detected by comparing the sensor waveform to a programmable selected ratio of the normalized level. When a given number of successive impulses are received the microprocessor generates a warning signal which may be used to retract the tool. An adaptive mode is disclosed wherein the sensor waveform throughout the course of the machining operation is repetitively normalized to adjust for different sensor waveform amplitudes.