System and a method for determining contact between a cutting tool and an electrically conductive workpiece

A system for determining contact between a cutting tool and an electrically conductive workpiece, the system comprising:

• a cutting tool including a toolholder and a plurality of cutting inserts mounted in the toolholder, wherein each of the plurality of cutting inserts includes an electrically conductive surface layer, wherein the cutting tool is configured to bring the plurality of cutting inserts in and out of contact with the electrically conductive workpiece, wherein each of the plurality of cutting inserts are electrically insulated from the toolholder;
• an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit comprises:
• an electric power source arranged to generate an electrical voltage (UA), and
• a plurality of first connection units, each plurality of first connection units include a first end, a second end, and between the first end and the second end, a resistor having an electrical resistance, wherein each of the plurality of first connection units are electrically connected to a respective cutting insert at the first end and to a first pole of the electric power source at the second end, wherein each of the plurality of first connection units are electrically connected to the first pole in parallel with all the other first connection units, and
• a second connection unit operatively connected to a second pole of the electric power source at a first end, the second connection unit including a contact configured to be electrically connected to the electrically conductive workpiece at a second end;
• and
• a measuring unit and an analysis unit, wherein the measuring unit is configured to measure an electrical voltage over each of the first connection units, wherein the measuring unit is operatively connected to the analysis unit, and wherein the analysis unit is configured to determine a contact between the cutting tool and the electrically conductive workpiece based on the measured electrical voltages.