Abstract: Net power consumed by one or more tools, continuously or intermittently is totalized and compared with a predetermined energy limit characterizing the life expectancy of a tool for optimum and safe use on a machine tool. Digital and computer techniques are used in order to keep track of the usage of the various tools within their respective life expectancies.

Abstract: An apparatus for gauging the shape of a specimen conducting surface or load distribution between normally mateable specimen conducting surfaces. A capacitance pad which is insertable between the specimen surface in question and a reference surface of known shape or normally mateable surfaces has multiple electrodes sandwiched between dielectric plates which are, during operation, situated adjacent the reference and specimen surfaces. The electrodes in the capacitance pad may be individually energized and selectively connected to a capacitance measuring circuit. Capacitance between the reference and specimen surfaces or between the normally mateable specimen surfaces changes the frequency of the measuring circuit when selected capacitance pad electrodes are connected to that circuit.

Abstract: A capacitance gauging apparatus is described for monitoring the texture or flatness of a conductive surface. Conductive plate members, resiliently supported on a flexible substrate, provide a probe to measure the texture of a surface to be monitored, the surface itself forming the other plate of a capacitor. The capacitance probe is electrically energized and connected to a monitoring circuit. As the insulated probe rests on the conducting surface, the resulting capacitance changes the frequency of the monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuitry counts the pulses within a period, the number of pulses being proportional to the surface texture, i.e., the higher the number, the coarser the surface texture, and conversely. The period of counting is set such that the surface texture may be displayed directly in microinches or micrometers.