Sensory Toolholder Monitors Machining Processes at the Tool

With Schunk’s iTENDO sensory toolholder, it will be possible to monitor machining processes in high resolution at the tool, and to control cutting parameters in real time. The required acceleration sensor and electronics are integrated into the toolholder without affecting its interfering contour and other characteristics.

According to Schunk, the iTENDO seamlessly records the metal cutting process, monitors previously defined exact limit values and, in the event of irregularities, enables real-time adaptive control of the speed of rotation and feed rate, among other measures. Equipped with a sensor, battery and transmitting unit, the toolholder records the data at the tool and transmits it wirelessly via Bluetooth to a receiver unit in the machine room, where it is forwarded by cable to a control and evaluation unit. Reported pilot applications indicate that the intelligent mounting has proven performance for milling, drilling, countersinking and deburring.

Schunk has standardized the iTENDO for the common interface HSK-A 63 with clamping diameters from 6 mm to 32 mm and a length of 130 mm. The sensory toolholder is suitable for coolant use and is designed for speeds of up to 10,000 RPM.

The commissioning and data analysis is carried out via a browser-based dashboard on standard PCs, tablet computers or smartphones. For simple configurations, live data from the sensor can be displayed on the Schunk dashboard via a local connection; a case system with integrated display is provided for this purpose, enabling toolholder commissioning within two hours. In a second configuration, the real-time controller is ideally connected to the machine control system by a service technician via digital or analog I/O so that, for example, alarms can be triggered or processes can be adaptively controlled. The third and most sophisticated configuration, enables additional information exchange with the machine. All variants can also be operated and centrally controlled via a cloud solution.