This paper describes the application of acoustic emission (AE) frequency analysis to cutting tool wear monitoring in finish milling operations. AE detection was achieved using a fibre optic interferometer which, unlike conventional piezoelectric transducers, allows absolute measurements of the frequency content of the signals, generated during face milling of various steels and aluminium alloys, to be made. A model detailing the expected variations in AE mean frequency with various forms of tool wear in the different processes is presented and is validated by the practical set of tool wear tests using the fibre optic interferometer.

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An investigation of the relationship between tool wear and the energy of acoustic emission (AE) produced during various face milling finishing operations is presented. A model detailing how the AE energy, quantified by the r.m.s. value, varies depending on the material and the detailed tool geometry formed by flank and crater wear is described. Validation of the model was achieved in a series of practical machining tests covering a range of materials and tool types which resulted in various different wear forms. In all these wear tests a non-contact fibre optic interferometer was employed for AE detection directly from the workpiece. This sensor makes absolute, calibrated measurements of AE, unlike conventional contacting piezoelectric AE transducers, which may suffer uncertainties due to their frequency response and variations in transmission path. The fibre optic instrument is thus advantageous for studying variations of AE energy with tool wear.