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US 4,351,029 AGranted
Tool life monitoring and tracking apparatus
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsRobert E. L. Maxey, James N. Brecker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Net power consumed by one or more tools, continuously or intermittently is totalized and compared with a predetermined energy limit characterizing the life expectancy of a tool for optimum and safe use on a machine tool. Digital and computer techniques are used in order to keep track of the usage of the various tools within their respective life expectancies.
Claims7
A system for monitoring tool life on a machine tool having at least one operative tool thereon, comprising:
- means for instantaneously and recurrently deriving a measuring signal characteristic of power consumed by said machine tool for the purpose of relative motion between said workpiece and said tool;
- said measuring signal deriving means being operable in one of an idle position mode and a working position mode of said tool relative to said workpiece;
- means for combining an idle position measuring signal and a working position measuring signal for deriving a signal indicative of net power consumed by said tool;
- means for integrating said indicative signal as a function of time for obtaining a past history characteristic signal;
- means responsive to said integrating means for comparing said characteristic signal with a reference signal representative of the life expectancy of said tool.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.