To achieve adaptive control, fault diagnostics, sampled data of machine performance and tool wear, modern machine tools require reliable sensing of one or more of six force components (x, y, z, torque, a&b moments) acting on the tool. Present force sensing methods either have insufficient resolution and time response, are costly to install, calibrate and replace, lack a reliable, low cost and easy to install signal transmission method for rotary spindles or result in significant compliance (deflection) of tool or work piece support. A revolutionary method of accurately sensing small forces (+ 5 lbs) applied to rigid machine members (such as spindles and tool blocks) has been discovered by camtech. It involves attaching or implanting a unit called a mih-cell module onto or into the spindle nose or tool block base. For spindles and other remote signal transmission requirements the module must also contain wireless data transmission electronics.The objectives of phase I are to(1) establish through analysis a general approach for designing mihcells for modular attachment onto or into spindle noses and tools blocks(2) design a spindle-mounted prototype mih-cell module to be installed and performance evaluated in phase II(3) design prototype wireless input power and output signal transmission electronics for reliable operation within the module at high rpm,(4) develop performance evaluation test objectives and procedures.
