Tool breakage detection in millin operations using a fiber optic sensor

In this work a method is presented for determining the wear and fracture of a cutting tool, by means of a fiber optic sensor with high resolution and large bandwidth, used during the manufacturing process. The sensor has been configured with two groups of fibers, distributed in a ramdom fashion. One of the groups works as a light emitter that illuminates the tool, while the other captures the light reflected by the tool surface itself. The light is generated by a photodiode, which does not represent any risk to the health. This technique will allow observing the wear and breakage of the tool in real time while the tool is rotating, with a high degree of accuracy.