Method and system for tool life monitoring and management in a cnc environment

A method for monitoring and managing a tool insert life in a machining process, the method comprising the steps of:

• collecting and storing data representing an allowable wear limit for the tool insert;
• and measuring a set of measurement data indicating changes in size of plurality of jobs as the machining process commences, by a digit measurement signal module;
• configuring a smart insert module to execute the following steps of:
• receiving the allowable wear limit and the measurement data from the digit measurement signal module;
• determining a mean and a spread of the machining process from the measurement data;
• determining any deviations in the mean during the machining process of the jobs, where the deviation is caused by wear in the tool insert and is indicative of the tool insert wear;
• determining a plurality of discrete values of the tool insert wear after a number of jobs operated by the tool insert and analyzing a pattern of readings related to size changes of those jobs;
• recording the discrete values of the tool wear insert;
• determining a sum of the plurality of the discrete values of the tool wear insert and comparing the sum with the allowable wear limit;
• and
• indicating for retiring the tool, if the sum is equal to the allowable wear limit.