Abstract: A system and method for characterizing surfaces includes using a measuring device to take size measurements of a manufactured product. The raw measurement data is transformed from a time-based domain to a frequency-based domain using a mathematical algorithm. The transformed size measurement data is then compared to predetermined limits within comparable frequency bands to characterize the surface of the manufactured product.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing surfaces includes using a measuring device to take size measurements of a manufactured product. The raw measurement data is transformed from a time-based domain to a frequency-based domain using a mathematical algorithm. The transformed size measurement data is then compared to predetermined limits within comparable frequency bands to characterize the surface of the manufactured product.

Abstract: A method for predictive maintenance of a machine includes collecting feature data for the machine which includes a plurality of feature vectors. At least some of the feature vectors are standardized to facilitate compatibility between different vectors. At least some of the standardized feature vectors are transformed into corresponding two-dimensional feature vectors. At least some of the two-dimensional feature vectors are clustered together based on operating modes of the machine. Similar steps are performed on additional feature data collected from the machine. Recently gathered two-dimensional feature vectors are compared to previously clustered feature vectors to provide predictive maintenance information for the machine.

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 analyzing waviness of a surface. The method includes measuring a height of the surface, producing a set of data points indicative of a waviness profile, selecting a subset of the set of data points, calculating a waviness height of the subset, repeating the selecting, determining, and calculating steps for additional subsets until all members of the set of data points have been selected, and selecting a maximum waviness height value from the waviness heights calculated for each subset. The height of the surface may be measured over a distance longer than the length over which waviness assessment is required.

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 analyzing waviness of a surface. The method includes measuring a height of the surface, producing a set of data points indicative of a waviness profile, selecting a subset of the set of data points, calculating a waviness height of the subset, repeating the selecting, determining, and calculating steps for additional subsets until all members of the set of data points have been selected, and selecting a maximum waviness height value from the waviness heights calculated for each subset. The height of the surface may be measured over a distance longer than the length over which waviness assessment is required.

Abstract: A method for designing and acquiring a machine by the use of benchmark machines which perform a certain function or operation in a desired manner. Certain locations are analyzed on the benchmark machines and vibration measurements and/or impact tests conducted on these locations which allow certain attributes or characteristics to be respectively assigned to these locations. The new machine is designed to improve upon these respective characteristics or attributes, thereby performing the operation in a highly accurate and reliable manner.

Abstract: A system and method to create frequency derived, pre-characterization templates to be used by a machine operator for determining when a tool breaks in one spindle of a multi-spindle machine tool. The pre-characterization template is created by first impacting the tool or the holder and recording the time domain of the frequency pattern of vibrations. The natural frequencies of the tool/tool holder/spindle vibrations which include the vibration frequencies of the tool braking are recorded. Pre-characterization templates are created using FFT techniques to identify only those frequencies indicative of tool breakage. The machine tool operator then uses the monitoring system with pre-characterization templates during machine tool operation and is notified in real time of the breakage of a tool in a single spindle or a multi-spindle machine.

Abstract: Failure detection in an operating cutting tool utilizing a frequency domain analysis of the vibration of the cutting tool. A signal is generated based on vibration of the tool during its operation to determine the energy of the signal in a plurality of signal component frequency bands. The energy of the signal in each of the plurality of frequency bands is compared to corresponding threshold values to generate a tool failure signal when the energy of the signal in a preselected number of frequency bands exceeds the corresponding threshold values for a predetermined period of time. In a second embodiment, time domain analysis of the signal generated based on vibration of the tool is utilized in addition to frequency domain analysis. The averaged signal is compared to a threshold signal to generate a tool failure signal when both the energy of the signal in a preselected number of frequency bands exceeds the corresponding threshold values and the averaged signal exceeds the threshold signal.