The main critical points associated with the definition of cutting tests for tool condition monitoring (TCM) have been analyzed
During a cutting process, friction takes place at the workpiece-tool interface
This is a very complex phenomenon and involves combined effects of adhesion, erosion, abrasion, fatigue, plastic deformation, diffusion and corrosion
Friction produces a gradual wear of the cutting tools causing a negative influence on the quality of the machined surface and on the workpiece geometry as specified in the design
If the machine tool operates with other machines tools and robots under the control of a computer, the breakdown of the machine generates a critical problem for the whole system
To prevent such problems, various methods for tool wear monitoring have been proposed, but none of these has been universally accepted due to the complexity of this type of procedures