Abstract
The successful implementation of fully automated and unmanned flexible machining systems requires in-process monitoring of the machining environment. The monitoring sensors should be capable of extracting multi-faceted information enabling a total grasp of the environment. However, most of the current systems are based on single-phenomenon monitoring, so their effectiveness is quite limited. A multi-func-tional, compact in-process monitoring system for machining environment has been proposed in this study. This system, based on heat flux sensing, can monitor multi-dimensional responsts of a machining environment. Mordover, heat flux being the time derivative of temperature is more sensitive than temperature itself. Thus, the proposed system is quite suitable for monitoring machining environment. Varied information concerning the machining environment extracted through this sensor strongly supports its suitability as an in-pfocess monitoring device. A comparative performance evaluation of this system has further substantiated its suitability and superiority over the currently available ones.
