Assembly and handling technologyNew products for Motek 2019
What is currently happening on the market in the fields of material flow, handling technology and industrial handling? Computer&AUTOMATION has summarized an excerpt of what exhibitors are showing at Motek 2019 in Stuttgart in a picture gallery.
Together with the company Paul Horn, Kistler has developed a solution that allows tools for micro-turning operations to be monitored in real time. The Piezo Tool System (PTS), which consists of a piezo force sensor and analysis software, measures the cutting force and tool load while the machine is running. The data obtained provides information about the expected service life of the tool or cutting inserts. Defective materials and cutting materials or even tool breakage are detected immediately. The solution is particularly suitable for turning operations in the micro range. Alternative measuring methods, such as spindle monitoring, do not provide meaningful results due to minimal deviations in the drive power. Even with structure-borne sound measurements, it is not possible to achieve consistent results with small workpieces. Optical solutions are also ruled out due to the cooling lubricants used and the high rotational speeds during the machining process. The solution is compatible with Horn's standard turning holders, does not require any intervention in the CNC control and can therefore be used independently of the machine.