AN ADAPTIVE SYSTEM FOR TURNING PROCESS-CONTROL BASED ON TOOL TEMPERATURE FEEDBACK

A computer-based adaptive system for the closed-loop control of the cu tting temperature is modelled and designed for application to a lathe turning process. The cutting temperature is estimated through e.m.f. m easurements obtained by using a standard thermocouple embedded in the tool bolder. The control objective is to maximise the metal removal ra te subject to constraints on tool decay related to temperature-depende nt wear mechanisms. A real-time monitoring and control strategy is imp lemented aiming at compensating for process dynamics variations accord ing to a self-tuning regulator scheme. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.