Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for the identification of anomalies and degradation paths in a machine tool is disclosed. The monitoring apparatus includes a control system interfaceable with a machine tool and configured for making the machine tool execute a predetermined cycle of operations; a recording system interfaceable with a plurality of sensors in the machine tool, wherein the recording system is configured for collecting operation data of machine tool during the predetermined cycle of operations; and an analysis system configured for receiving the operation data and for executing a statistical and data mining analysis on the operation data, comparing a pattern of the operation data with a predetermined pattern, for identifying any anomalies and degradation paths.