Application of acoustic emission sensor for monitoring machining processes

This paper deals with the application of the acoustic emission (AE) sensor for monitoring the cutting process with single-point as well as multipoint cutting tools and the grinding process. Some trials to take full advantage of the AE sensor for tool condition monitoring will be conducted relating to the sensor mounting and the signal processing. As a practical solution for the AE sensor mounting, for example, the coolant stream is successfully used as a medium for transmitting the AE wave in the case of milling process monitoring, and for grinding process monitoring, the sensor is mounted in the grinding wheel with other necessary devices so that the AE signal can be transmitted to the outside of the wheel by radio. By applying these methods, it has become possible to take the AE signal from the rotating tools. In terms of AE signal processing for identifying the machining processes, application of the artificial neural network will be introduced. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.