Tool bit monitoring system for machine tools
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorKenneth J. Susnjara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a machine tool having a workpiece support table and a tool head assembly provided with a tool engageable in a cutting relation with a workpiece positioned on the table for removing particulate material from the workpiece, a system for monitoring the cutting operation of the tool includes a support assembly, a camera for producing video signals representative of the cutting operation of the tool, the camera being mounted on the support assembly such that its focus is on said tool and a cut made thereby, and a machine controller coupled to the machine tool for controlling its operation. The machine controller includes a video monitor connected to the camera for receiving and displaying the video signals representative of the cutting operation of the tool while simultaneously displaying program information.
Claims7
In a machine tool having a workpiece support table and a tool head assembly provided with a tool engageable in a cutting relation with a workpiece positioned on said table for removing particulate material from said workpiece, a system for monitoring the cutting operation of the tool, comprising:
- a support assembly;
- a camera for producing video signals representative of the cutting operation of the tool, said camera being mounted on said support assembly such that its focus is on said tool and a cut made thereby;
- a machine controller coupled to said machine tool for controlling its operation;
- said machine controller including a video monitor connected to said camera for receiving and displaying said video signals representative of said cutting operation of said tool;
- said machine controller further including a video interface connected to said video monitor for enabling display of said video signals representative of said cutting operation of said tool in a first portion of a display screen of said video monitor and simultaneous display of program information in a second portion of said display screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.