Inventors:
Robert C. Petrof - Farmington Hills MI
Charles O. McHugh - Dearborn Heights MI
Assignee:
Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI
International Classification:
B23Q 3156
B23B 4900
Abstract:
A method is disclosed of determining worn rotary tools during machining operations, comprising: (a) establishing the steady-state dominant tool force level required to (i) carry out a rotary machining operation at a given set of cutting conditions in the abrasive wear regime, (ii) using a known worn rotary tool with a given geometry, and (iii) using a workpiece of given material; (b) supporting another rotary tool of the same given geometry in a holder for being power driven for rotation, the holder having means to impart a signal in response to exceeding a predetermined force level calibrated to be just below the steady-state force level of the worn tool; and (c) while employing the support tool, initiating an automatic tool change in response to any signal imparted by the tool support.