Tool Monitoring. An Example for Process Integrated Nondestructive Testing

New strategies for quality assurance in production engineering have shifted from the detection of product faults to the prevention of faults at an early stage. In many cases this target can only be achieved with the help of intelligent process control systems. These PINT systems use multiparameter probes process computers and hardware components to evaluate and monitor data in real-time which can be used for intelligent process monitoring, operation support, process control and information management systems. One important sector in production engineering concerns finishing of parts often used in the automotive industry and mechanical engineering. For this processing step tools with geometrical defined and undefined cutting edges are used. Dependant on the properties of the cutting edge and machining parameters, microstructure and residual stresses will be generated in the near surface zone of the workpiece. These characteristics will influence the functional behaviour and life time dy namically loades components.