Abstract Method and apparatus for measuring a clearance face wear of cutting tools during the cutting action of a cutting tool on a workpiece comprising a first electrical circuit for feeding electric current through an interface between the workpiece secured in a clamping mechanism and a cutting tool, the workpiece and the tool being otherwise insulated from each other and adapted to be in relative motionary relationship one to the other, the first circuit also including a current source and a slip ring assembly, and a second electrical circuit containing at least one slip ring assembly, the workpiece, the tool and a voltmeter, where upon by feeding a constant current through the first circuit a value of voltage drop in the tool/workpiece interface is obtained from the voltmeter, thereby enabling the resistance between the workpiece and the tool to be calculated the value of resistance varying with the area of contact between the workpiece and the tool, this area depending on the amount of clearance face wear.
An apparatus for measuring the clearance face wear of a tapered tipped cutting tool during the cutting action of a cutting tool on a rotating workpiece comprising a clamping mechanism for securing a workpiece, a stationary cutting tool locatable in contact with the workpiece, the workpiece and tool being otherwise electrically insulated from each other, first electrical circuit means for feeding electric current through the interface between the workpiece and the cutting tool, said first electrical circuit means including a constant current source connected to said tool and a slip ring assembly connected between said workpiece and said constant current source, and second electrical circuit means including at least one second circuit slip ring assembly, the workpiece, the tool and a voltmeter, said second electrical circuit means operating when a constant current is fed through the first circuit means to provide an indication on said voltmeter of the voltage drop in the workpiece/tool interface, the resistance between the workpiece and tool varying with the area of contact therebetween which depends on the amount of clearance face wear.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for measuring the clearance face wear of a tapered tipped cutting tool during the cutting action of a cutting tool on a rotating workpiece comprising a clamping mechanism for securing a workpiece, a stationary cutting tool locatable in contact with the workpiece, the workpiece and tool being otherwise electrically insulated from each other, first electrical circuit means for feeding electric current through the interface between the workpiece and the cutting tool, said first electrical circuit means including a constant current source connected to said tool and a slip ring assembly connected between said workpiece and said constant current source, and second electrical circuit means including at least one second circuit slip ring assembly, the workpiece, the tool and a voltmeter, said second electrical circuit means operating when a constant current is fed through the first circuit means to provide an indication on said voltmeter of the voltage drop in the workpiece/tool interface, the resistance between the workpiece and tool varying with the area of contact therebetween which depends on the amount of clearance face wear.