Cutting tool with integrated circuit chip
AssigneeKennametal Inc.
InventorsKaren Anne Craig, Thomas O. Muller, Timothy E. Fara, Bernard North
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system manages a machine tool operation. The system includes a cutting tool, which includes a tool body; an integrated circuit chip securely mounted within the tool body and capable of being read and written upon; and a read/write device for communicating with the integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip is an RFID chip. The tool body may be a mounting chuck, adapter, twist drill, thread tap, indexable drill, milling cutter or a square shank lathe tool.
Claims65
A cutting tool for machining a workpiece, the tool comprising:
- a) a tool body;
- and
- b) an integrated circuit chip securely mounted to the tool body and capable of being read and written upon,
- wherein the integrated circuit chip is an RFID chip.
A system for managing a machine tool operation, comprising:
- a) a cutting tool, the cutting tool including a tool body;
- b) an integrated circuit chip securely mounted within the tool body and capable of being read and written upon;
- and
- c) a read/write device for communicating with the integrated circuit chip,
- wherein the integrated circuit chip is an RFID chip.
A method for managing a machine tool operation, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a cutting tool, the cutting tool including a tool body;
- b) providing an integrated circuit chip securely mounted within the tool body and capable of being read and written upon, wherein the integrated circuit chip is an RFID chip;
- c) providing a read/write device for communicating with the integrated circuit chip;
- d) establishing a communication link between the chip and the read/write device;
- and
- e) uploading data regarding the cutting tool from the integrated circuit chip to the read/write device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.