Monitoring of vibration in free-form surface processing by a ball end-mill tool with a wireless tool holder system

Monitoring technology has attracted attention in the field of factory automation that relies on the Internet of Things (IoT). However, it is difficult to monitor process information from a round machining tool during rotating operations. Therefore, we developed a novel tool holder equipped with a wireless communication function to monitor tool vibration. As a new application, we attempted to measure tool holder vibration and machine tool servo information during free-form surface finishing by a ball end mill. Based on the obtained data, the characteristics of the spindle and feed axes of the machine tool were considered. The results showed that monitoring is effective in improving machining of free-form surface finishes.