Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a method for monitoring health of a machining tool operable in a machining state to form a workpiece and a non-machining state. The method includes determining whether a machine health routine is to be performed based on a machine health record stored by the control system, and retrieving a non-machining cyclic schedule, in response to the machine health routine having to be performed, where the non-machining cyclic schedule defines a timetable for performing one or more maintenance routines. The method further includes identifying a primary maintenance routine from among the one or more maintenance routines based on the non-machining cyclic schedule, and scheduling the machine health routine with the primary maintenance routine.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a diagnostic method for a spindle arm of a machine. The method includes rotating the spindle arm of the machine at a first rotational speed, and acquiring, from an accelerometer, data indicative of a vibrational response of the spindle arm operating at the first rotational speed. The accelerometer is disposed along the spindle arm. The method further includes converting the vibrational response to a frequency based response to obtain a first frequency response, determining whether an amplitude of the first frequency response exceeds a diagnostic threshold, and performing a designated correction on the machine in response to the frequency response exceeding the diagnostic threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a method for monitoring health of a machining tool operable in a machining state to form a workpiece and a non-machining state. The method includes determining whether a machine health routine is to be performed based on a machine health record stored by the control system, and retrieving a non-machining cyclic schedule, in response to the machine health routine having to be performed, where the non-machining cyclic schedule defines a timetable for performing one or more maintenance routines. The method further includes identifying a primary maintenance routine from among the one or more maintenance routines based on the non-machining cyclic schedule, and scheduling the machine health routine with the primary maintenance routine.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a diagnostic method for a spindle arm of a machine. The method includes rotating the spindle arm of the machine at a first rotational speed, and acquiring, from an accelerometer, data indicative of a vibrational response of the spindle arm operating at the first rotational speed. The accelerometer is disposed along the spindle arm. The method further includes converting the vibrational response to a frequency based response to obtain a first frequency response, determining whether an amplitude of the first frequency response exceeds a diagnostic threshold, and performing a designated correction on the machine in response to the frequency response exceeding the diagnostic threshold.

Abstract: A tool lubrication delivery monitoring system and a method of control. An accelerometer is provided to detect a position of a valve and fluid flow through the valve. Accelerometer data may be compared to a baseline profile to determine whether fluid flow or valve operation is within established parameters.

Abstract: A tool lubrication delivery monitoring system and a method of control. An accelerometer is provided to detect a position of a valve and fluid flow through the valve. Accelerometer data may be compared to a baseline profile to determine whether fluid flow or valve operation is within established parameters.

Abstract: A method for monitoring health of a machine tool includes operating the machine tool outside an operation cycle to effect movement of a portion of the machine tool. Data from signals output from a sensor and from a controller attached to the machine tool are used to define at least one movement-specific data profile for the movement of the portion of the machine tool. An algorithm is then applied to at least a portion of the at least one movement-specific data profile to generate at least one movement-specific data point. This facilitates generation of at least one movement-specific trend line, which can be used to analysis the health of the machine tool.

Abstract: A data management and networking system and method are provided for automatically retrieving and storing data from a machine tool for distribution to a remote terminal over a network. Raw data related to a machine operation parameter, such as vibrations, are collected. This data is associated with machining operation data, such as the particular cutting tool being used, or the particular feature being cut by the cutting tool. An algorithm is applied to the raw data to generate a parametric representation of the data, thereby significantly reducing the size of the data. At least some data related to non-machining time is separated out, further reducing the size of the data. The associated data is sent to a network server for storage, where it may be accessed by one or more remote terminals.

Abstract: A method for managing machine tool data includes operating the machine tool to perform at least a portion of an operation cycle which includes a non-machining operation. Data is processed from signals output from at least one sensor and from a controller to define a non-machining operation-specific data profile for the non-machining operation. An algorithm is applied to the non-machining operation-specific data profile to generate a non-machining operation-specific data point, which facilitates generation of a non-machining operation-specific trend line used to help determine the health of the machine tool.

Abstract: A system and method for troubleshooting a operation of a machine include performing an initial, operator based analysis in response to an alarm indicator output by a processing unit monitoring the machine operation. The method uses a query-based analysis to guide the operator. A secondary analysis is used if the initial analysis does not yield the cause of the alarm. The secondary analysis can include a number of steps, including analyzing raw vibration data or trend lines generated from the raw data. If the trend lines are operation specific, a particular operation or particular tool may be identified as the cause of the alarm, and appropriate action can be taken. A tertiary analysis can also be used if the initial and secondary analyses do not yield the cause of the alarm.

Abstract: A structurally tuned, vibration-based component checking system for detecting anomalies in a component of an assembly prior to the component being installed in the assembly is provided. The component checking system operates the component being tested at a speed that is different from the speed at which the component operates during normal use in the assembly, and also under a different load. To compensate for this difference in speed and load, the component checking system is structurally tuned such that a relationship exists between the modal frequencies and speed of operation of the component checking system and the modal frequencies and speed of operation of the assembly.

Abstract: A structurally tuned, vibration-based component checking system for detecting anomalies in a component of an assembly prior to the component being installed in the assembly is provided. The component checking system operates the component being tested at a speed that is different from the speed at which the component operates during normal use in the assembly, and also under a different load. To compensate for this difference in speed and load, the component checking system is structurally tuned such that a relationship exists between the modal frequencies and speed of operation of the component checking system and the modal frequencies and speed of operation of the assembly.

Abstract: A method for managing machine tool data includes operating the machine tool to perform at least a portion of an operation cycle which includes a non-machining operation. Data is processed from signals output from at least one sensor and from a controller to define a non-machining operation-specific data profile for the non-machining operation. An algorithm is applied to the non-machining operation-specific data profile to generate a non-machining operation-specific data point, which facilitates generation of a non-machining operation-specific trend line used to help determine the health of the machine tool.

Abstract: A method for monitoring health of a machine tool includes operating the machine tool outside an operation cycle to effect movement of a portion of the machine tool. Data from signals output from a sensor and from a controller attached to the machine tool are used to define at least one movement-specific data profile for the movement of the portion of the machine tool. An algorithm is then applied to at least a portion of the at least one movement-specific data profile to generate at least one movement-specific data point. This facilitates generation of at least one movement-specific trend line, which can be used to analysis the health of the machine tool.

Abstract: A data management and networking system and method are provided for automatically retrieving and storing data from a machine tool for distribution to a remote terminal over a network. Raw data related to a machine operation parameter, such as vibrations, are collected. This data is associated with machining operation data, such the particular cutting tool being used, or the particular feature being cut by the cutting tool. An algorithm is applied to the raw data to generate a parametric representation of the data, thereby significantly reducing the size of the data. At least some data related to non-machining time is separated out, further reducing the size of the data. The associated data is sent to a network server for storage, where it may be accessed by one or more remote terminals.

Abstract: A structurally tuned, vibration-based component checking system for detecting anomalies in a component of an assembly prior to the component being installed in the assembly is provided. The component checking system operates the component being tested at a speed that is different from the speed at which the component operates during normal use in the assembly, and also under a different load. To compensate for this difference in speed and load, the component checking system is structurally tuned such that a relationship exists between the modal frequencies and speed of operation of the component checking system and the modal frequencies and speed of operation of the assembly.